Why does my car have 2 serpentine belts?
Some vehicles have multiple belts, called v-belts, that come off the crankshaft of the engine to drive the alternator, the air conditioning compressor, the power steering pump and the water pump. In older vehicles, v-belts were the standard.
Are there 2 serpentine belts?
There are two belts you need to be familiar with when talking about car maintenance — the serpentine belt and the timing belt. The serpentine belt winds through your engine and carries power to several key components, including the alternator, air conditioning, and power steering pump.
How many serpentine belts are there?
one belt
Today, there’s one belt to run them all—well, for the majority of vehicles. It’s called the serpentine belt. Some rides may have an additional belt to run select accessories, but the serpentine does the bulk of the work.
Do all cars have two belts?
CARS.COM — All cars have an accessory belt that drives features such as the alternator and air-conditioning compressor, and perhaps the water and power steering pumps.
Can you drive without a serpentine belt?
Under no circumstances can you drive a vehicle without a serpentine belt because the serpentine belt serves the important function of delivering antifreeze to important parts of the engine. The serpentine belt drives the water pump, and without it, there is insufficient coolant flow to maintain the engine temperature.
How do I know which serpentine belt I need?
Because most automotive v-belts are roughly 3/16-inch in depth, this must be compensated for in order to come up with an outside circumference. The rule of thumb is to add 1½ to 2 inches to the inside circumference measurement. Our setup demanded a belt between 57½ and 58 inches in length.
What happens if belt breaks while driving?
Your car cannot run with a broken timing belt. By the time the belt snaps, the damage is already done, and you will not be able to drive at all. You will need to have the vehicle towed to an auto repair workshop.
Why does my car have 3 belts?
V-belts consist of multiple belts that run from the engine’s crankshaft to drive the a/c compressor, water pump, power steering pump and the alternator. What was great about these belts was that they were short and not likely to slip like newer serpentine belts.
What is the most important belt in a car?
Serpentine Belt If you drive anything newer than a 1990 model, it is likely to be found under your hood. It’s easy enough to locate and replace, but if it breaks, you and your vehicle will be on the side of the road; the serpentine belt runs everything from to your alternator to your power steering.
What is a serpentine belt and what does it do?
The serpentine belt is one long, snaking, winding belt that keeps your alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning and—in some cases—your water pump running smoothly and effectively. What are the symptoms of a bad serpentine belt? Flickering lights on start up. Failure to start. Dimmed headlights. Continuously illuminated amperage light.
What are the signs of a bad serpentine belt?
Engine overheating
What is a serpentine belt and why is it important?
Squealing or chirping noises: these indicate a stretch on the belt or low belt tension.
How much should it cost to replace a serpentine belt?
How much should it cost for a serpentine belt replacement? But what does a serpentine belt replacement cost? Of course, it depends on your make and model as well as labor costs, but in general a replacement serpentine belt costs around $70-$200 (plus taxes and fees), including around $50 for the belt and around $150 for the labor.