Back to all

Auto Pro Troy Maintenance Tips: The Belt Goes On

February 28, 2016

drive All Troy service advisors know that without the alternator, the battery will go dead in a few miles.

The serpentine belt may also run the pumps for both the power steering and power brakes. And on many vehicles, the serpentine belt powers the water pump. The water pump circulates coolant through the engine to keep it within normal operating temperatures. (On some vehicles, the water pump is powered by the timing belt instead of the serpentine belt.)

So you can see the serpentine belt does a lot of work. And it if breaks, it affects a lot of systems. That's why your vehicle manufacturer and your service advisor at Auto Pro Troy have recommended that it be changed every so often so that it doesn't fail.

Your friendly and knowledgeable Auto Pro Troy service advisor can perform a visual inspection of the belt to see if it has any cracks that signal the belt could fail soon and will measure the amount of belt material to make sure there is enough.

Your serpentine belt works in tandem with a spring loaded pulley attached to the engine called the tensioner pulley. Its job is to make sure there's a constant tension on the serpentine belt so that it doesn't slip. The spring can become worn and no longer provide the necessary pressure to keep the belt tight. At Auto Pro Troy in Troy, we recommend that the tensioner be replaced at the same time as the serpentine belt.

Auto Pro Troy
512 East Maple Rd.
Troy, Michigan 48083
248-270-3002

Need Service?

Request a Quote

More articles from Auto Pro Troy Auto Repair

Steering You Right (Power Steering Signs of Problems)

December 15, 2024

Nearly every modern vehicle on the road today has power steering, a wonderful invention that makes steering take far less effort than it did in the "good old days." Today, we take our steering for granted: until something goes wrong, that is. Most power steering these days is rack-and-pinion, th... More

Your Vehicle is Talking to YOU (Service Warning Signs)

December 8, 2024

Your vehicle may be like that famous battery bunny, the one that just keeps going and going. But while it may seem sometimes like you never need to take your vehicle in to be worked on, there are some things you should keep your eyes, ears and nose out for. They are warning you about something t... More

Flat Tire? Three?s the Charm (Tire Repair)

December 1, 2024

For most drivers, at some point youre going to have a flat tire. Depending on how it was damaged, it may have to be replaced. But sometimes, a repair will do the trick, as long as the puncture isnt on the sidewall and the hole is smaller than inch/6.35mm in diameter. Here are the three common w... More