SERPENTINE BELT

 

The serpentine belt is the belt driven by the engine as it turns. It powers your alternator, conditioner compressor and power steering pump. Your vehicle won’t run if the serpentine belt breaks. Also, it’s important for the belt to be tight. There is a portion of your engine that puts pressure on the belt to keep it at the right tension. If the belt is too loose, it will slip. Belt wear can’t always be seen, but can be measured by a trained technician using a special tool that measures the depth in the grooves of the belt to see if it needs replacing.
 
Studies show that 20 percent of vehicles on the road today need a serpentine belt replacement. A worn belt can break without warning, so the best thing is to replace your serpentine belt before if it is worn or damaged.