Arlington Auto Repair

You start the car, and there it is, that sharp squeal that turns heads in the parking lot. Sometimes it vanishes in a few seconds, which makes it tempting to ignore. Other times it comes back at the worst moments, like when you turn on the A/C or pull out into traffic. A squealing belt can be harmless, but it can also be your first hint that something is slipping, misaligned, or about to fail, and the only way to know is to pay attention to how and when it happens. What The Serpentine Belt Does The serpentine belt is the long belt on the front of the engine that drives key accessories. Depending on the vehicle, it may spin the alternator, power steering pump, A/C compressor, and water pump. It relies on proper tension and clean contact to transfer power without slipping. When it squeals, that sound is usually friction. The belt is sliding instead of gripping, which creates heat and noise. The important part is figuring out why it is slipping, because the belt is of ... read more