What is a Serpentine Belt?

A serpentine belt is an important part of your vehicle’s engine block, but do you know what a serpentine belt really is? And what does a serpentine belt do? Where is the serpentine belt, and how long does your serpentine belt last? Read on to learn more about this vital piece of your vehicle that is responsible for powering your alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioning compressor. Then, if you think your serpentine belt tensioner is having issues, or you’re in need of a replacement serpentine near Boca Raton, reach out to the Land Rover Palm Beach parts department or service center for help!

What Does a Serpentine Belt Do?

As we mentioned early, a serpentine belt delivers power to your alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioning compressor. In some cases, it also supplies power to your water pump. It’s a long, winding rubber band of sorts that is attached to your crank pulley. Starting from there, it makes its way around your engine block, delivering power to all of the aforementioned vehicle systems. In most cases, it features a serpentine belt tensioner that ensures your serpentine belt is at the optimum tension to efficiently move power around your engine blow.

Where is the Serpentine Belt Located?

Now that you know what a serpentine belt is and what a serpentine belt does, let’s take a look at where the serpentine belt is located. If you pop open the hood of your vehicle, you find your crank pulley at the front of the engine block in most cars. While the serpentine belt is long and winds its way through various parts of your engine block, its main axis is the crank pulley. Somewhere along the path of the serpentine belt, you’ll find a serpentine belt tensioner, which works to keep the belt taut as it dispenses power to the various vital systems in your engine block.

How Long Do Serpentine Belts Last?

While many service professionals say that modern serpentine belts can last between 50,000 and 100,000 miles, this can vary depending on the kind of vehicle you drive, the conditions you drive through frequently, and how long it has been since the vehicle was purchased or since the last serpentine belts were replaced. That’s why it’s crucial to make it a regular habit of checking the condition of your serpentine belt before any serious damage can occur. You can even make it a part of your checkup routine when inspecting other important parts like your oil or brake pads.

How Do I Know It’s Time to Replace My Serpentine Belt?

One of the main ways you can be proactive in keeping your car running at its best along Wellington roads is to look out for any of the following symptoms indicating that your serpentine belt needs to be replaced:

• Squealing, whining, and chirping sounds coming from under the hood of your car indicate that your serpentine belt is either misaligned or slipping. You may want to have your serpentine belt tensioner examined.
• Failure of vehicle systems like your power steering and air conditioner could indicate that your serpentine belt is unable to properly transfer power.
• If your engine overheats, it could be that you’re driving a vehicle whose water pump is powered by the serpentine belt. If so, overheating could indicate that you need a serpentine belt replacement.
• If you happen to be under the hood and notice cracks and wear on the rubber of your serpentine belt, it’s time to replace your serpentine belt.
• If your battery dies, it’s possible that your serpentine belt is failing to deliver power to your alternator.

What Happens if I Don’t Replace My Serpentine Belt?

Failure to ignore the signs and replace your serpentine belt can cause further damage to your vehicle. Drivers can experience a variety of effects like the failure of a variety of different vehicle systems, including the power steering, alternator, water pump, and air conditioner.

Get a Serpentine Belt Replacement Near Delray Beach!

If you’ve run into any of the following issues mentioned above, you can always rely on our expert service team to get you back on the road in no time. You can also learn more about vehicle maintenance including what tire numbers mean, what a timing belt is, and why tire rotation is important for your vehicle. Contact us today to schedule a service appointment!