Under ideal circumstances, your car’s serpentine belt should last 60,000–100,000 miles. ![]() Read: What Is a Timing Belt & When Should You Replace It? When should you replace the serpentine belt? These belts often need to be replaced around the same time, so ask your mechanic or consult the owner’s manual to see if you need to replace your timing belt too. A serpentine belt has multiple V-shaped grooves that run vertically along the belt. A timing belt has horizontal “teeth” designed to fit the cogwheels of the crankshaft and camshaft. You can easily tell the difference between the two when you look at the grooves. It connects the engine crankshaft on the outside of the engine to all of the engine accessories. The serpentine belt is what keeps the engine accessories running smoothly and efficiently. This ensures that the engine intake and exhaust valves open and close in time with the pistons so the engine runs smoothly. The timing belt is located inside the engine and keeps the crankshaft and camshaft in sync. The serpentine belt and timing belt have very different functions in your vehicle. Timing Beltĭon’t get confused-a serpentine belt is not the same thing as a timing belt. This is why it is so important to get your serpentine belt replaced on a regular schedule. Plus, it could also damage the engine accessories it controls. While using just one belt is the most efficient and reliable option, it also means that when your car’s serpentine belt breaks, everything stops working! You’ll lose power steering, the A/C will quit, your battery will eventually die, and the engine might overheat. This is because vehicles used to have multiple drive belts that connected the engine to the accessories (such as the radiator fan).īut modern vehicles (usually) just have one belt that winds through multiple pulleys to power all the accessories. You may have heard a serpentine belt referred to as a fan belt or accessory belt. The serpentine belt is a long rubber belt that transports power to the engine accessories-the alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning compressor and (sometimes) the water pump. That’s why we recommend replacing the serpentine belt before it breaks to prevent further repairs and save you money down the road. And if it breaks, you might end up stuck on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck. Your serpentine belt is a vital component of your vehicle. Timing chains are also used more commonly in small vehicles that require less power and performance to move around.A lot of people’s philosophy when it comes to car repair is, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” But while it may seem counter-intuitive to spend money replacing a car part that is working just fine, it’s often more cost-effective in the long run! However, this same quality is also what makes them susceptible to damage and must be replaced when they start wearing out before the damage becomes too extensive.ĭue to the weaker rubber materials, timing belts can only last between 60,000 and 100,000 miles before they have to be replaced. When the timing belt was invented almost 50 years ago, virtually every car was outfitted with a timing belt.īecause they are made from rubber, timing belts tend to be quieter compared to timing chains. Timing belts are constructed using a mix of rubber and other materials such as nylon. In some cases, broken timing chains can lead to engine replacement when repair becomes out of the question. But once they do, they must be replaced without fail as they can break off entirely, therefore causing the engine to fail. ![]() Timing chains can last anywhere between 150,000 and 200,000 miles before they require repair or sustain damage. Timing chains are preferred by some because they are strong and reliable. What is the difference between a Kia timing belt and timing chain? Timing chainsĪs the name suggests, timing chains are constructed out of metal.
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