Back to all

TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires Maintenance Tips: The Belt Goes On

July 14, 2022

drive All Royal Oak 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 TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires have recommended that it be changed every so often so that it doesn't fail.

Your friendly and knowledgeable TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires 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 TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires in Royal Oak, we recommend that the tensioner be replaced at the same time as the serpentine belt.

TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires
1735 N Main St
Royal Oak, Michigan 48067
248-541-8300
http://www.tlcautocareroyaloak.com

Need Service?

More articles from TLC Auto Care

Smooth Operator

July 26, 2026

Were used to bringing a vehicle to a stop and hardly noticing the engines even running when were sitting still. But sometimes you might notice it running rough when youre idling. Your vehicle is shaking, vibrating and making sputtering noises. You may even notice the tachometer on your instrum... More

The Best Test

July 19, 2026

Would you buy a jacket without even trying it on? Probably not, but it might surprise you that one study shows about half the people buy a vehicle after a short test drive around the block or none at all. If you're in the market for another vehicle, make sure you check out the most important thi... More

Catching Trouble Early

July 12, 2026

Your vehicle depends on wheel bearings. Sitting between the wheels hub and axle, they allow your wheels to spin smoothly, bear the vehicles weight and work in harmony to stay aligned with other parts. Wheel bearings can fail in several ways, and they may send the driver some pretty clear clues... More