Back to all

Commerce Auto Repair Maintenance Tips: The Belt Goes On

May 27, 2020

drive All Commerce 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 Commerce Auto Repair have recommended that it be changed every so often so that it doesn't fail.

Your friendly and knowledgeable Commerce Auto Repair 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 Commerce Auto Repair in Commerce, we recommend that the tensioner be replaced at the same time as the serpentine belt.

Commerce Auto Repair
9575 Commerce Rd.
Commerce, Michigan 48382
248.363.3749

Need Service?

Request a Quote

More articles from Commerce Auto Repair

Stop Right There!

October 25, 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

A Smart Inspection, Peace of Mind Before You Buy

October 23, 2026

With the price of new vehicles these days, you might be thinking about saving some money by buying a used one. But when you go to look at a vehicle, how in the world do you know what youre getting into? A look around the outside and a short test drive likely doesnt give you the confidence that... More

Save Your Tires and Fuel: Why TPMS Is More Than a Warning Lightc

October 11, 2026

You know that little light on your dashboard that looks like a tire? Dont ignore it. Its a lot more than a warning light. Its trying to tell you something that can protect your tires, improve your fuel economy and keep your vehicle traveling safely down the road. Its called TPMS. The abbreviati... More