The serpentine belt is crucial to multiple systems within your car. By connecting your engine’s crank pulley to other various accessory pulleys, the serpentine belt provides power to your:

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When in doubt, you can always come in for a Tires Plus vehicle inspection — our technicians have an eye for spotting potential problems before they have a chance to disrupt your commute.

Understanding the differences between a serpentine belt and a timing belt is crucial when maintaining your vehicle. Though these components might sound similar, they play very different roles in your car’s performance and longevity. Here's your official serpentine belt vs. timing belt 101 course! We’ll explain their functions, how to ensure they’re in good condition, and what symptoms to watch out for if either fails.

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Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, it may contain a timing belt or a timing chain — but what’s the difference? They both serve the same purpose, but the material they are made from determines the name. If it’s made of rubber, it’s a timing belt, but if it’s made of metal, it’s a timing chain.

If you think that’s a lot of features riding on one belt, you’d be right —  in fact, older vehicles had a belt for each accessory they needed to run. Individual belts meant that if one failed, you would lose the functionality of that one accessory, but the others would not be affected.

Regular inspection and timely replacement of your vehicle’s serpentine and timing belt can prevent major engine problems and keep your car running smoothly. If you notice any signs of a bad serpentine belt or timing belt, it’s time to consult professionals like the ones at your local Tires Plus. We offer complete vehicle inspections, engine tune-ups, and more. Schedule an appointment today!

Notice any of these symptoms? Come to Tires Plus for engine tune-up and repair services — our trained technicians can diagnose critical engine components like timing belts and perform critical preventative and reparative maintenance if needed.

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No matter the material, your timing belt connects your engine’s crankshaft, which moves its pistons up and down, to its camshaft, which opens and closes the intake and exhaust valves. By synchronizing these movements, the timing belt ensures your engine runs smoothly and efficiently.

If the timing belt or chain breaks, your engine generally won’t have enough compression to start or continue running. If it manages to do so, its pistons may contact the valves, resulting in severe engine damage. To avoid either of those situations, keep an eye (and ear) out for these signs of a bad timing belt or chain:

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If your car's A/C blows warm air, this could be a symptom of many potential issues. Find out what's causing your hot A/C problem and how to get your cool back.

However, multiple belts consume a lot of engine power via friction. So, in the pursuit of performance and efficiency, many modern cars wrapped all of those belts into one “serpentine” belt — aptly named due to it snaking between different components.

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It’s typically recommended to replace the serpentine belt every 60,000–100,000 miles. However, this figure depends on the make and model of your vehicle, so we recommend consulting your vehicle’s owner’s manual for more information.

So, how often does a timing belt or chain need to be replaced? It depends on their material! If you have a rubber timing belt, it will typically need to be replaced around 70,000–90,000 miles. Anecdotally, metal timing chains may last longer, but they can still stretch or break over time, so inspecting them around the same mileage as their rubber counterparts is recommended. However, these are general figures — always consult your owner’s manual for guidance tailored to your specific vehicle.

A failed serpentine belt can cause several issues, including dead batteries, overheating, a loss of power steering, and more. But how can you identify a serpentine belt that hasn’t failed yet, but is on its way out? Here are some common signs of a failing serpentine belt:

Unsure of the difference between a serpentine belt and a timing belt? Learn what they do, how to tell if they’re failing, and how often to replace them here.

Not quite! While both are essential to your vehicle, they serve very different purposes. The serpentine belt is a long, winding belt that distributes your engine’s rotational energy to various accessories, like your alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioning (A/C) compressor. On the other hand, the timing belt ensures that your engine’s intake and exhaust valves open and close at the proper intervals by synchronizing the crankshaft and camshaft.