With thousands of components inside your car’s engine, it isn’t always easy to know which part is going bad and when to take it in to an auto center. Some components can create illusive issues when they become damaged, which can be especially frustrating. Here are some of the signs that your serpentine belt should be replaced. 

Symptoms of a Damaged Serpentine Belt

1. You Lose Power Steering

Serpentine belts fulfill several roles within your engine, but one of their most important jobs is working with a pulley system tied to your steering column to create power steering. If your serpentine belt breaks, you may find yourself without any power steering, which can be dangerous on the road. If you notice that it is taking more force to turn your wheel or navigate your car, your serpentine belt could be at fault. 

2. Your Air Conditioner Blows Warm Air 

Serpentine belts are also responsible for moving refrigerant through the compressor inside of your car’s air conditioning system. If your air conditioning turns on, but blows warm air instead of cooled air when the system is running, your serpentine belt or the compressor itself could be damaged. Auto center professionals can replace serpentine belts to restore function to your AC unit, keeping you cool. 

3. Your Engine Overheats

Another critical function of serpentine belts is working with your car’s radiator to pull heat away from the engine. If the serpentine belt develops problems, your vehicle may overheat easily. Pay attention to how hot your engine runs, and take it in to an auto center anytime you notice an uptick in temperature or a tendency to overheat. 

Anytime you are concerned about the condition of your vehicle, turn to Quick Lane at Jack Kain. With a focus on helping motorists with repairs, these auto center professionals are happy to answer any questions you have about your vehicle, and they're ready to help at the first sign of trouble. To find out more about what they can do for you, visit their website or give their office a call at (877) 837-1796.