Ask Auto Lab Livonia: What Happens When a Serpentine Belt Breaks?
February 28, 2021
The serpentine belt is aptly named since it snakes around under your hood. It may lack its namesake's fangs, but it sure packs a wallop when it breaks.
The serpentine belt powers a lot of engine systems. It runs the alternator, which charges the battery; the water pump (on some vehicles), which cools the engine; the air conditioning, which cools the driver and passengers; and the power steering pump, which allows for easier steering. When the belt breaks, all of these systems shut down.
Okay, so maybe you can live without air conditioning and power steering for a while, but your battery can't live very long without an alternator, and when the cooling system goes down, your vehicle engine will overheat. That's why Livonia drivers should never wait to get a serpentine belt replaced.
Serpentine belts are fairly inexpensive at Auto Lab Livonia in Livonia. And they look downright cheap when you compare them to the cost of an overheated vehicle engine, a tow truck, time lost on the road, inconvenience, and the potential safety consequences of being stranded.
Good car care means never putting off preventive maintenance. Do yourself a favor. Ask your friendly and knowledgeable Auto Lab Livonia technician to glance under your hood and give that serpentine belt a quick look-over.
Auto Lab Livonia
36251 Five Miles Rd
Livonia, MI 48154
734-432-6000
http://www.autolablivonia.com
Need Service?
More articles from Auto Lab Livonia
Sniffing Out a Problem
July 21, 2024
Your parents probably taught you to have common sense. When it comes to your vehicle, common scents can also come in handy. Different smells may tell you about some conditions in your vehicle that need attention. For example, you know what rotten eggs smell like. If you smell them around your ve... More
The ?Man-Made? Engine Oil (Synthetic Oil Change)
July 14, 2024
If you own a newer vehicle, your vehicles manufacturer may require that it use synthetic oil instead of conventional oil. Synthetic oils are more stable, dont break down as easily, and provide better engine protection than conventional oil. All those things can prolong the life of your engine an... More
Automotive Tips from Auto Lab Livonia: Signs of an Alignment Problem
July 7, 2024
When properly aligned, all of your wheels are pointed in the same direction. Your vehicle will track true and handle the way it is designed. Livonia drivers often associate our wheels being knocked out of alignment with an event like an accident, hitting a pothole, curb or some other object. Whil... More