Have you ever heard a chirping sound coming from your car (and no, it’s not an animal stuck in there) or had vehicle failure and weren’t sure why? It could be your serpentine belt. Rest assured, Jiffy Lube® is here to uncover what’s going on under that hood.
Now, you might be thinking, “what is a serpentine belt?” Well, you’ve come to the right spot. A serpentine belt (also known as a fan belt) transfers rotational power from your engine’s crankshaft to multiple places, including your alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioning compressor. It may also power your engine water pump.
SO, WHAT DOES A SERPENTINE BELT LOOK LIKE?
If you’re still asking yourself “what is a serpentine belt?”, picture a long, black rubber band that is attached to your crank pulley, that’s the serpentine belt. Starting from there, it makes its way around the front of the engine, delivering power to the vehicle accessories. And, you guessed right from the name, it snakes around under the hood resembling a serpent. Another important piece to the process is the tensioner and pulley, which in most cases are there to ensure your serpentine belt is at the optimum tension and tightness to efficiently transfer power.
WHERE CAN I FIND SERPENTINE BELT?
To fully understand “what is a serpentine belt?”, let’s look under the hood.
- First, find the crank pulley at the front of the engine block
- From there, you’ll see the serpentine belt winding through various accessories on the front of the engine
- Along its path, you may also notice the tensioner and pulley keeping the belt tight
HOW LONG DO SERPENTINE BELTS LAST?
This depends on the type of vehicle you drive, your driving habits as well as the conditions you drive in most often, and how long it’s been since the last serpentine belt(s) were replaced. Typically, most modern serpentine belts can last between 50,000 to 100,000 miles.
It’s a good idea to check the condition of your serpentine belt on a regular basis to avoid serious damage.
WHEN TO REPLACE THE SERPENTINE BELT?
The best way to keep your serpentine belt performing at its best is by being proactive and knowing the warning signs. Watch out for symptoms that your serpentine belt may need replacing, such as:
- Serpentine belt noises like a squealing noise, whining, and chirping sounds coming from under the hood – this may mean your belt is either misaligned or slipping. At this time, it’s also a good idea to examine your tensioner and pulley as well.
- Failure of vehicle systems like your power steering and air conditioner going out, which may indicate your belt is unable to properly transfer power.
- Engine overheating, which happens when you’re driving a vehicle that’s water pump is powered by the serpentine belt.
- Cracks and wear on the rubber of the serpentine belt – if you’re wondering when to replace the serpentine belt, damage like this is usually a good indicator.
- Your battery dies, which may mean your serpentine belt is failing to deliver power to the alternator.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T REPLACE MY SERPENTINE BELT?
It’s good to recognize when to replace the serpentine belt, because ignoring the signs of a failing serpentine belt can cause further damage to your vehicle, like:
- Failure of a variety of different vehicle systems
- Power steering issues
- Alternator issues (charging system)
- Water pump issues (cooling system)
- Air conditioning issues
READ MORE ABOUT IT
Now that you feel more confident answering the question, “what is a serpentine belt?”, you can find information on getting your car properly tuned up here.
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Please note: Not all services are offered at each Jiffy Lube location. Please check with your local Jiffy Lube service center or visit jiffylube.com for specific services offered.
