Snake in the Engine (Serpentine Belt)

October 29, 2023

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 Joliet (South Plainfield): Serpentine Belt Tensioner

July 24, 2022

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 Joliet (South Plainfield) 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 Joliet (South Plainfield): Serpentine Belt System Wear

October 6, 2019

The primary job of the serpentine belt for Joliet 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 complet... More