IMPORTANT NOTICE!
Bonfe Mechanical and Bonfe Collision are now together at our 380 West 7th Street location…one convenient location for all of your mechanical and collision repair needs!

651-222-4458

Hours: Monday-Friday 7am – 5pm

What to Know about the Belts in the Vehicle

by | Oct 23, 2015 | Belts, Safe Driving, Uncategorized, Vehicle Inspections

auto-repair-3-200x300

 

It is important to keep your vehicle in the best condition possible by having it maintained properly. Having the vehicle inspected can help to ensure it runs as well as it is supposed to. One part that is commonly overlooked is the serpentine belt for the vehicle. By bringing your vehicle in, we can inspect the parts of the vehicle, including the serpentine belt, as well as other belts.

The serpentine belt is one that runs through all major components of the vehicle. The serpentine belt runs differently depending on the vehicle’s make and model. The serpentine belt will transfer power through pulleys from the crankshaft of the engine. It also transfers power from any other component or pump that is mounted on the engine of the vehicle. The serpentine belt is important because it connects through several of the major components of your vehicle. The serpentine belt also is a major factor for several important functions of the vehicle. One major component that relies completely on the serpentine belt is the alternator. When the alternator on the vehicle is not functioning, the battery cannot be charged. This can result in your vehicle not starting when you will need it. Also, the serpentine belt can affect other components such as the water pump, power steering, fans, and power brakes. Sometimes this can depend on the make and model of your vehicle because some power steering and fans run off of separate motors. If the water pump goes out, this can cause issues. This is because the water pump causes the coolant to stop flowing. The coolant is important because it is what helps to protect the engine from overheating and becoming damaged.

The serpentine belt should always be kept up with proper regular maintenances. You can do a visual inspection of the serpentine belt to see how it is wearing. Noticing any wear can help make you aware for the possible need of the belt being replaced. The serpentine belt may show signs of wear by having more than three or four cracks per inch. If you notice the belt is frayed or missing pieces, the belt should be replaced as soon as possible. Make sure to schedule an appointment so we can inspect the vehicle and belts for you. This can help your vehicle to run efficiently and at top performance levels.