Most of us laymen don’t know our alternators from our air filters. We have auto mechanics for that. Still, it doesn’t hurt to learn a little bit about the vehicle you use every day. To assist you in that endeavor, we’ve gather a small amount of information on one of its parts: the serpentine belt. Now, let’s discuss what it does.
Also called a multi-v, poly-v, or multi-rib belt, your serpentine belt gets used to drive multiple devices in your engine, including: the alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning compressor, air pump, and more. It can do this because it gets attached to these parts in one continuous line and then gets powered by the engine.
Engineers consider this continuous belt an improvement over previous multi-belt designs because it fits better in the engine and can handle increased tension. The only drawback seems to be that if the belt slips, all auxiliary engine parts cease to function.
Hopefully this helped you understand the way your car works just a little bit better. If you have been having problems with your vehicle, we here at European Plus can help you out. We offer a wide range of auto services, including serpentine belt replacement.
For more information, just call our qualified mechanics at (609) 737-7226.