Charlie's Fast Lube Jackson Maintenance Tips: The Belt Goes On
August 9, 2020
All Jackson 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 Charlie's Fast Lube Jackson have recommended that it be changed every so often so that it doesn't fail.
Your friendly and knowledgeable Charlie's Fast Lube Jackson 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 Charlie's Fast Lube Jackson in Jackson, we recommend that the tensioner be replaced at the same time as the serpentine belt.
Charlie's Fast Lube Jackson
1901 E. Jackson Blvd.
Jackson, Missouri 63755
575-243-2226
http://www.charliesfastlubejackson.com
Need Service?
More articles from Charlie's Fast Lube Jackson

Procrastination Prevention in Jackson
August 25, 2025
Every one of us has a little procrastinator inside us. Some put off getting our teeth cleaned. Others put off answering our emails. Yet others put off calling friends and family (sorry, Uncle Joe). And there are those of us who put off getting our vehicle's service done, whether it's a repair or ... More

Gas Smell! (What Causes Gasoline Odors)
August 18, 2025
If you've ever walked into your garage and noticed it smelled like gasoline, pay attention. Gasoline can be dangerous, both from the health problems fumes can cause and the fire danger gasoline presents. There are many things that can cause a vehicle to give off a gasoline odor. One of the easi... More

Reaching the Braking Point (Brake hose replacement)
August 11, 2025
If you notice your brakes arent working like they used to, thats the kind of thing thats important to have checked out soon. Thats because your brakes are extraordinarily important to the safe operation of your vehicle. Sometimes you feel like your brake pedal is feeling a little soft or its lo... More