A Broken Serpentine Belt on Your Car Can Create Tragedy on the Road

A broken serpentine belt on your vehicle could stop it cold. A lot depends on your serpentine belt, including the electrical system, the cooling system, your power steering, and even the air conditioner. Needless to say, if the serpentine belt breaks while you’re driving, it’s potentially a very dangerous situation. It could cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

Fortunately, these belts are built to last, and broken serpentine belts are rare.

Since the serpentine belt helps to control many critical components, it’s vital to make sure it’s in good shape, along with the tensioner and pulleys.

Occasionally, the serpentine belt can fall off, due to worn tensioner and/or pulley. If that happens, replacing the belt won’t resolve the issue. You’ll need to have the tensioner and pulleys adjusted or replaced. But, if you must replace a pulley, it’s also a good idea to also replace the serpentine belt. This is because a damaged or misaligned pulley can also damage the belt.

It’s also a good idea to have the serpentine belt checked every 30,000 miles or so. With preventative maintenance, you can easily avoid a dangerous serpentine belt failure while on the road.

You rely on your vehicle, and your vehicle relies on you for regular maintenance. Be sure to check your vehicle’s serpentine belt occasionally for signs of wear and tear. If you notice unusual wear, replace the belt immediately. Belt System U is your source for the best serpentine belts, tensioners, and idlers.