Top Tech Auto Repair Clawson Maintenance Tips: The Belt Goes On
March 14, 2016
All Clawson service advisors know that without the alternator, the battery will go dead in a few miles.
The serpentine belt may also run the pumps for both the power steering and power brakes. And on many vehicles, the serpentine belt powers the water pump. The water pump circulates coolant through the engine to keep it within normal operating temperatures. (On some vehicles, the water pump is powered by the timing belt instead of the serpentine belt.)
So you can see the serpentine belt does a lot of work. And it if breaks, it affects a lot of systems. That's why your vehicle manufacturer and your service advisor at Top Tech Auto Repair Clawson have recommended that it be changed every so often so that it doesn't fail.
Your friendly and knowledgeable Top Tech Auto Repair Clawson service advisor can perform a visual inspection of the belt to see if it has any cracks that signal the belt could fail soon and will measure the amount of belt material to make sure there is enough.
Your serpentine belt works in tandem with a spring loaded pulley attached to the engine called the tensioner pulley. Its job is to make sure there's a constant tension on the serpentine belt so that it doesn't slip. The spring can become worn and no longer provide the necessary pressure to keep the belt tight. At Top Tech Auto Repair Clawson in Clawson, we recommend that the tensioner be replaced at the same time as the serpentine belt.
Top Tech Auto Repair Clawson
664 S Rochester Rd
Clawson, Michigan 48017
248-589-0980
http://www.toptechautorepairclawson.com
Need Service?
More articles from Top Tech Auto Repair Clawson

Stop Right There!
August 9, 2026
Your vehicles brakes are only as good as its master cylinder. This part is truly is the heart of your braking system, because if it isnt working the way it should, the rest of the brake system cant either. The master cylinder is what takes the pressure you put on the brake pedal and ultimately... More

(Timing Belt)
August 2, 2026
You may have heard about an important part of your vehicle's engine called a timing belt, and many know that if that belt breaks, it can cause some very serious engine problems. Not all vehicles have them, and the ones that do generally have smaller engines. The timing belt keeps the engine sy... More

Keep Cool: Why Radiator Hoses Matter
July 26, 2026
If theres one thing you want to make sure is going on under your vehicles hood, its that your engine doesnt get too hot. Heat is an engines worst enemy, and it can result in very expensive repairs, even leave you stranded in a tough spot. One vital part of your vehicle is the radiator hose, whic... More
