Serpentine Belt Replacement

The serpentine belt is a flat drive belt that snakes around all of the different components in your engine that need auxiliary power such as the alternator, the air conditioner, the power steering fluid pump, the water pump, radiator fans, etc. If the serpentine belt breaks, then the aforementioned components will not work and your engine will not function properly. Unlike a broken timing belt, a broken serpentine belt does not cause irreparable engine damage; however, your car is not drivable until you have the serpentine belt replaced.

A serpentine belt is essentially a long belt that is flat on one side and often has ribs or nubs on the other side. Check your serpentine belt for two things: wear and tension. If the belt is dry, cracked, worn, missing ribs or glazed (shiny), then it needs to be replaced. If the belt 'gives' more than a half inch when you press on it, but is in otherwise good shape, you might be able to adjust the tensioner to make it tighter. If you hear a loud squeaking or chirping noise coming from your engine when you accelerate, odds are you need a new serpentine belt. We recommend replacing the belt and tensioner simultaneously - the parts aren't that expensive and often the air conditioning condenser or radiator needs to be removed for access.

Since belts wear out over time and you are stranded when one breaks, we recommend changing them every 50,000 miles or whenever indicated by your owners manual.

Benefits of Doing This

Minimize the risk of being stranded with a busted belt

Worn belts lead to unnecessary engine component wear

Eliminate squeaks and chirps

Improve fuel economy

Pitfalls of Not Doing This

Getting stranded

Unnecessary engine wear

Decrease in fuel economy

Get a great deal on belts

Maintenance

Battery Replacement

Brake Fluid Flush

Brake Pad (Front) Replacement

Brake Pad (Rear) Replacement

Cabin Air Filter Replacement

Coolant Flush

Coolant Hoses Replacement

Engine Air Filter Replacement

Fuel Filter Replacement

Headlight Bulb Replacement

Oil and Oil Filter Change

Power Steering Fluid Flush

Serpentine Belt Replacement

Spark Plug Replacement

Tail Light Bulb Check

Timing Belt Replacement

Tire Inflation Check

Tire Replacement

Tire Rotation

Transmission Fluid Flush

Water Pump Replacement

Wheel Alignment

Windshield Washer Fluid Top Off

Wiper Blade Replacement