What Is A Drive Belt Replacement?

If you’re ever told that your drive belt needs to be replaced, you might have a few questions. What is a drive belt? What does it do? Why does it need to be replaced? Well, we’re here to give you a quick lesson on drive belts, their importance to your vehicle, and when to get them replaced.

What Is A Drive Belt?

A drive belt is a long continuous belt that snakes through several of your vehicle’s cranks and pulleys. For that reason, it is sometimes called a serpentine belt. The drive belt or serpentine belt carries energy from the alternator to the water pump, power steering pump, and sometimes the air conditioning as well. Without it, your engine won’t run properly.

Why Does it Need to be Replaced?

Just like many of the other components in your vehicle, the drive belt can wear out over time. To prevent it from snapping or breaking while you’re operating your vehicle, you should have it replaced periodically.

If your drive belt breaks, your car will be rendered useless. You won’t be able to drive it for several reasons. For one, the engine will overheat without the water pump. Second, without power steering, it will be nearly impossible for you to turn the wheel. Finally, the alternator won’t be able to recharge your car’s battery.

You might also like: Gobble Up Moma T’s BBQ in Canton, TX

When Should a Drive Belt Be Replaced?

Drive belts are made of highly durable rubber than can last anywhere from 40,000 to 100,000 miles. Because the range of durability is so wide, it’s hard to supply a definite replacement interval. Instead, most manufacturers recommend having your drive belt inspected regularly.

Here at Canton Ford, our technicians provide you with a full vehicle checkup during every oil change. After your vehicle checkup, the technician will let you know about the overall health of your vehicle and all of its components, including the drive belt. If your drive belt needs to be replaced we’ll let you know, replace it for you, and get you back on the road in no time. So, if you think you might need a drive belt replacement or any other maintenance, schedule an appointment with the Canton Ford service center.

Disclaimer: The stock image is being used for illustrative purposes only, and it is not a direct representation of the business, recipe, or activity listed. Any person depicted in the stock image is a model.