When to Replace the Serpentine Belt in Your Land Rover

The serpentine belt is a part of your Land Rover’s engine. It is a complicated piece of machinery that is crucial for keeping your engine running smoothly. To make a long story short, it moves in order to drive multiple parts, such as the water pump, power steering, air conditioning, and alternator. A well-maintained and effective serpentine belt keeps these critical car functions.

A serpentine belt should last for a pretty significant chunk of time. This timeframe is normally between 50,000 and 100,000 miles, usually on the high end of this number. However, they do break, and if they do, you need to know the indications.

If you see any of the following symptoms, bring your Land Rover to our expert mechanics at Cerrone’s European in Redwood City, CA for inspection and repairs.

Common Warning Signs That Your Serpentine Belt Needs Replacement

When you’re driving your Land Rover, pay attention to the way it handles, the warning lights that illuminate on your dashboard, and the sounds it makes. How your car sounds and “feels” are important in order to know if everything is functioning as designed.

Any good Land Rover owner is constantly vigilant about the condition of their car, especially the parts of its engine. Be on the lookout for these signs your serpentine belt needs replacing.

• Wear and tear on the belt itself: The first sign of a failing or deteriorating serpentine belt is physical damage. Whether it appears stretched, has chunks missing, or appears to be ripped or separating, these are signs that the serpentine belt is reaching the end of its lifespan. This one is particularly easy to catch with good habits when it comes to automotive maintenance, as if you bring the car in, we can check this for you regularly.
• Power steering failure: If you’re power steering fails, it could be for a number of reasons. Firstly, check your fluid. If you have the proper amount of power steering fluid and the power steering is still acting up, you may have a more serious problem. The power steering pump could be compromised in some way.

One of the most common reasons for the power steering pump to be compromised is that your Land Rover’s serpentine belt is not functioning properly, and so the power steering pump it’s attached to does not either.

• A chirping noise coming from your engine: If your engine is squeaking or making a chirping sound after starting or while you’re driving, it could be a problem with the serpentine belt. This sound normally happens when your belt is too tight or too loose, or the belt is not functioning properly alongside the pulleys.
• Air conditioning not working: If your air conditioning feels extremely weak or does not work at all, it could be because your serpentine belt is damaged or broken. This happens because the serpentine belt is part of what makes your Land Rover’s air pump
• Alternator not working: Your car’s alternator is what is responsible for the electricity in your car to work, as it’s the part that charges the car’s battery and generates energy. This is obviously a critical mechanism, so if you notice the electric functions of your car begin to fail, make sure to bring it in to have your serpentine belt or other issues checked out.

The Experts at Cerrone’s European Will Help

If you need your serpentine belt replaced, it is critical to get it done as soon as possible. The serpentine belt is a crucial part of the car’s engine, and is instrumental in the ability for your car to accomplish multiple tasks, including giving you air conditioning, power steering, electricity, and other extremely necessary jobs your engine needs to do.

If you run into any of the above problems when you start your Land Rover or when you’re driving, you should immediately take your car in to us to be checked. However, this is not the best way to make sure your serpentine belt is in top working order. The best way to do so is to be on top of your car’s maintenance needs, as the serpentine belt is a car part that a mechanic at Cerrone’s European in Redwood City, CA can check each and every time you come in, and replace quickly, easily, and for a reasonable price.

Call us today for an appointment or to speak to one of our trusted technicians.