Snake in the Engine (Serpentine Belt)

April 28, 2024

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 Sterling Tire & Auto: Serpentine Belt System Wear

January 7, 2019

The primary job of the serpentine belt for Sterling Heights 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 n... More

Automotive Tips from Sterling Tire & Auto: Serpentine Belt Overview

April 30, 2018

The technicians at Sterling Tire & Auto 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... More

Automotive Tips from Sterling Tire & Auto: Serpentine Belt Tensioner

August 17, 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 Sterling Tire & Auto we know that the service life of the belt tensioner is the same as the belt itself, so they should always be ... More