Posted on 5/30/2025
A serpentine belt may not seem like your vehicle's most important part, but things can go wrong fast when it breaks. This single belt powers a lot of systems—your alternator, power steering pump, water pump, air conditioning, and more. So when it snaps, your car doesn’t just lose a convenience feature or two. It can put the engine at serious risk. Here’s a closer look at what the serpentine belt does, what happens if it fails while driving, and why replacing it on time is one of the simplest ways to avoid major repairs. What the Serpentine Belt Does The serpentine belt is a long, reinforced rubber belt that snakes through pulleys on the front of your engine. It connects to multiple engine-driven accessories, making it essential to day-to-day function. Without it, those accessories stop working almost immediately. If your belt powers the water pump, which it does in many vehicles, the coolant stops circulating through the engine. That means ris ... read more