Snake in the Engine (Serpentine Belt)

March 26, 2023

There's a belt that snakes through your engine. It's even named for a snake, the serpentine belt. It'll bite you when it breaks, possibly leaving you stranded. So, it's good to know a little about this snake-like belt. In early engines, there were lots of belts. They were used to convert the r... More

Automotive Tips from Auto Lab Troy: Serpentine Belt Overview

February 19, 2019

The technicians at Auto Lab Troy know your serpentine belt drives important engine accessories like your alternator, air conditioning compressor, and power steering. In some cars it may also power the power brakes or water pump. The serpentine belt is powered by the engine and winds around pulley... More

Automotive Tips from Auto Lab Troy: Serpentine Belt System Wear

July 1, 2018

The primary job of the serpentine belt for Troy drivers is to provide important traction to spin the accessories. As the belt wears it loses some of its grip and the accessories may not spin at optimal speeds. For example, if your alternator doesnt spin fast enough, the battery will not completel... More

Automotive Tips from Auto Lab Troy: Serpentine Belt Tensioner

October 31, 2017

The serpentine belt tensioner applies pressure to the serpentine belt, maintaining optimal tension to drive the accessories like the alternator and A/C compressor. At Auto Lab Troy we know that the service life of the belt tensioner is the same as the belt itself, so they should always be replace... More