Posted on 10/31/2025
Your serpentine belt is one of the hardest working components, with a lot of multitasking responsibilities. This long, winding belt powers several essential components, including the alternator, power steering pump, water pump, and air conditioning compressor, all driven by the rotation of the engine's crankshaft. When it begins to wear out, it can affect multiple systems at once. Ignoring it too long may leave you stranded with a dead battery, an overheating engine, or even no steering assist. Let’s take a closer look at how this belt works, why it wears down, and how to know when it’s time to replace it. What Does the Serpentine Belt Do? The serpentine belt is a continuous rubber belt that wraps around pulleys connected to various engine accessories. As the engine turns, the belt transfers that motion to critical components that rely on engine power to operate. Without a functioning serpentine belt, many parts of your car will simply stop working ... read more