Snake in the Engine (Serpentine Belt)

February 12, 2023

There's a belt that snakes through your engine. It's even named for a snake, the serpentine belt. It'll bite you when it breaks, possibly leaving you stranded. So, it's good to know a little about this snake-like belt. In early engines, there were lots of belts. They were used to convert the r... More

Automotive Tips from Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Austin: Serpentine Belt Overview

November 24, 2019

The technicians at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Austin know your serpentine belt drives important engine accessories like your alternator, air conditioning compressor, and power steering. In some cars it may also power the power brakes or water pump. The serpentine belt is powered by the engi... More

Automotive Tips from Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Austin: Serpentine Belt Tensioner

September 9, 2018

The serpentine belt tensioner applies pressure to the serpentine belt, maintaining optimal tension to drive the accessories like the alternator and A/C compressor. At Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Austin we know that the service life of the belt tensioner is the same as the belt itself, so the... More

Automotive Tips from Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Austin: Serpentine Belt System Wear

August 29, 2016

The primary job of the serpentine belt for Austin drivers is to provide important traction to spin the accessories. As the belt wears it loses some of its grip and the accessories may not spin at optimal speeds. For example, if your alternator doesnt spin fast enough, the battery will not complet... More