Back to all

Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Appleton Smart Car Care Videos: Serpentine Belt System Wear

January 21, 2016

The primary job of the serpentine belt 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 doesn’t spin fast enough, the battery will not completely recharge while you’re driving and you could end up stranded with a dead battery.

In short, a worn serpentine belt will stress all of the accessories it powers leading to premature wear and possible early replacement. When as little as 5% of belt material is lost, the serpentine belt cannot provide the proper traction for the accessories. Your friendly Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Appleton tech can survey your belt for excessive wear and replace your serpentine belt system if it’s excessively worn.

Give us a call

Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Appleton
920-954-8500
2940 E. College Ave
Appleton, Wisconsin 54915

More articles from Tuffy Appleton

To Fix or Not To Fix (Tire Repair)

April 27, 2025

You know that sinking feeling when you realize one of your tires has a problem. It may be making an odd noise or behaving oddly when you're driving. You may hit a pothole or curb and one suddenly goes flat. Or you may head back to your vehicle and discover it has one tire deflated without a cl... More

Oil Times are a-Changin' (Oil Change Synthetic)

April 20, 2025

When it comes to oil changes, things are really changing. Most newer vehicles require synthetic oil, and while it costs more than conventional oil, it doesn't need to be changed as often. When conventional oil was the only game in town, you changed your oil every 3,000 miles/5,000 km. But as tec... More

Slippery When Wet (Driving on Wet Leaves)

April 13, 2025

When the leaves fall, you might take a sightseeing trip to see them at peak color. Or you may simply live in a spot where there are a lot of trees. When those leaves get wet, you'd be surprised to learn just how slippery they can be. We all know ice is slippery to drive on. What causes tires ... More