Snake in the Engine (Serpentine Belt)
September 14, 2025
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 Auto Service Center Elgin: 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 Auto Service Center Elgin we know that the service life of the belt tensioner is the same as the belt itself, so they should... More
Automotive Tips from Tuffy Auto Service Center Elgin: Serpentine Belt System Wear
September 28, 2017
The primary job of the serpentine belt for Elgin 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 complete... More
Automotive Tips from Tuffy Auto Service Center Elgin: Serpentine Belt Overview
May 8, 2016
The technicians at Tuffy Auto Service Center Elgin 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 engine and w... More