• Home
  • Denver Auto Repair Services
    • Full Service Oil Change
    • Expert Mechanics
      • Expert Honda Mechanics
      • Expert Toyota Mechanics
      • Expert Subaru Mechanics
    • Automatic Transmission
    • Fuel System Cleaning
    • Radiator Flush Service
    • Wiper Blades
    • Air Filter
    • Cabin Air Filter
    • Gearbox Service
    • Brake Repair
    • Clutch Repair
    • CV Boots
    • Tune-Up
    • Steering & Suspension
    • Tires
  • Auto Diagnostic
  • Contact Us
    • About Us
  • Shop Specials
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • 303-691-2760

Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

  • Brake Service
  • Car Maintenance
    • Heating-Air Conditioning
    • Suspension
    • Transmission
    • Engine
    • Tires
  • Oil Change
  • Tips & Tricks

Changing Serpentine Belt

February 5, 2011 by Denver Express Car Care Leave a Comment

Have you ever gone in for a routine oil change and the technician has recommended changing the serpentine belt?  What was your reply?  Did you decline the service with the idea that they were just trying to make more money?  If your trusted technician recommends changing the serpentine belt, you might want to do it and save yourself a lot of trouble later.

First of all, exactly what is a serpentine belt?  The serpentine belt is what powers the alternator, water pump, power steering, and air conditioning.  Making sure your serpentine belt is in good condition and working correctly is essential in keeping your vehicle moving.  A single belt, winding its way through a maze of pulleys drives  every single engine accessory at the same time.  This belt has a lot of responsibility.  Changing Serpentine BeltEvery time the  belt passes around a pulley, it bends and flexes.  This produces heat which causes the rubber to harden over time.  The wear process can be greatly accelerated if the belt is loose or slips because any added friction makes the belt run even hotter.  If you want to lengthen the life of the serpentine belt it is important to make sure it is properly tensioned and that the proper tension is maintained throughout its service life.  Some signs that the tension isn’t correct can be a squealing belt, severe cracking on the belt, or a battery that keeps running down because of a slipping belt.  If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or if your technician recommended changing your serpentine belt the last time you visited him, it’s time for a change.  Don’t take the chance it won’t break on you, because when it snaps, all drive power is lost.  The water pump quits circulating coolant through the engine, the alternator quits producing amps, the power steering pump stops assisting steering and the air conditioner quits cooling.  We don’t want you to suffer the same consequences one of our customers did.  They were told their serpentine belt had a lot of cracks and needed to be changed.  They didn’t want to spend the $90 to $120 dollars that it costs to change the belt and left without the service.  Two days later their car was being towed into our shop and their costs were now much more than the cost of changing the serpentine belt because of the collateral damage the broken belt had caused!  Don’t let this happen to you!  Make that initial investment that will end up saving you money down the road.

Filed Under: Car Maintenance Tagged With: Changing Serpentine Belt

Express Car Care
4200 E. Evans Ave. Denver, CO (map)
Phone: (303) 691-2760
Located just southeast of the Colorado Light Rail station

Follow Us Today!

  • Facebook
  • RSS

Shop Hours

Monday: 8:00AM – 5:30PM
Tuesday: 8:00AM – 5:30PM
Wednesday: 8:00AM – 5:30PM
Thursday: 8:00AM – 5:30PM
Friday: 8:00AM – 5:30PM
Saturday: Closed – A note from the owner
Sunday: Closed

Last car oil change time  – 5:00PM

Click for the BBB Business Review of this Auto Repair & Service in Denver CO

Recent Articles

The Role of the Alternator in Your Car's Electrical System

The Role of the Alternator in Your Car’s Electrical System

If you own a car, you already know that your car's electrical system plays a vital role in keeping your vehicle functional. At the core of the electrical system is the alternator, one of the most … [Read More...]

  • What is a Valvetrain and How Does it Work?
  • Maintaining Your Car’s Refrigerant System For Optimal Performance
  • How to Diagnose Check Engine Light Codes on Your Own
  • Tips For Checking a Car Battery’s Health At Home
  • 5 Common Signs Your Car Clutch Needs Repair

Search Our Site

Brakes Service

How to Improve Stopping Power and Safety with Brake Maintenance

The Role of Sensors in Your Car’s Anti-Lock Brake System: Understanding How They Work

The Importance of Regular Anti-Lock Brake System Maintenance

Oil Change

What an Oil Change and Oil Filter Replacement Do To Your Car

Does Your Hybrid Vehicle Need an Oil Change?

Regular vs Synthetic Motor Oil – What You Should Know

Suspension

This Is How You Know If You Have Suspension Problems

How Worn Out Shocks and Struts Can Cause An Accident

CV Joint and CV Boot Repair – What You Need To Know

Transmision Service

5 Common Signs Your Car Clutch Needs Repair

How to Improve Shifting and Power Transfer With Your Automatic Transmission

How to Choose the Right Mechanic for Your Car Clutch Repair

Engine Service

What is a Valvetrain and How Does it Work?

Maintaining Your Car’s Refrigerant System For Optimal Performance

All About Timing Belts: What They Do and When to Replace Them

Auto Tips & Tricks

Tips For Checking a Car Battery’s Health At Home

5 Common Signs Your Car Clutch Needs Repair

How to Improve Shifting and Power Transfer With Your Automatic Transmission

"Denvers Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube" - Copyright © 2023 - 4200 E. Evans Ave. Denver, CO 303-691-2760