

Most serpentine belts in modern vehicles have tensioning devices. What Else Should Be Maintained and Replaced? This allows you to enjoy your car and drive worry-free. By getting your belt regularly replaced, you can reduce the risk of your car breaking down. Dealing with a broken belt or hose is bad enough, but if your engine becomes damaged, it’s even worse. A failing belt may also damage the parts it powers. When the belt slips or breaks, your car’s functions, such as the alternator and power steering pump, will likely stop working. If you drive with a worn-out belt, you’re risking the failure of your engine’s accessories. What Is the Advantage of Having the Belt Replaced? Never ignore the warning signs of serpentine belt failure. Your check engine light and other gauges will warn you when there’s a problem with your belt. Preventative maintenance with ASE-certified mechanics is a great way to ensure your belt doesn’t suddenly break while you’re driving. Car breaking down: When the serpentine belt completely breaks, your vehicle will stall, which can be extremely dangerous and inconvenient.Additionally, your car’s power steering system, alternator, or water pump may fail, resulting in a serious safety issue. Air conditioning or power steering failure: If the serpentine belt fails or breaks, you may notice your air conditioning not working properly.Regular inspections by a Sun Auto Service technician will also catch these symptoms. Cracks and wear: You may notice physical signs of failure, including missing chunks, cracks, damaged ribs, uneven wear, or rib separation.If you notice these sounds, you should schedule an inspection at your local Sun Auto Service location before more malfunctions occur. This sound indicates that there is belt stretch, low belt tension, or the pulley and belt are not working together correctly. Squealing or chirping noises: When the serpentine belt starts slipping, it may begin to chirp or squeal.There are various symptoms that may indicate your car’s serpentine belt is wearing down, including: When these things occur, it may become misaligned or contaminated with fluid. What Are the Signs of a Failing Serpentine Belt?Īs a serpentine belt gets older and wears down, the rubber parts may peel off, causing the belt to crack, fray, or slip. Eventually, your car’s serpentine belt will wear down from continuous exposure to heat and friction and will need to be replaced.

Most serpentine belts generally last between 50,000 and 100,000 miles. Thanks to improvements in rubber technology, serpentine belts last much longer than they did back in the day. But don’t worry, Sun Auto Service is here to tell you everything you need to know about your car’s serpentine belt, which keeps various systems of your car functioning properly, including:Ī strong and well-maintained serpentine belt powers these crucial automotive components.

Your vehicle is made up of several different complex parts, like the serpentine belt, that are difficult to understand unless you’re a mechanic.
