2011 Kia Sorento - Serpentine Belt

Reduce The Cost Of A Serpentine Belt Replacement

The drive belt, or serpentine belt, is a continuous rubber belt that connects the pulleys of a vehicle's engine to transmit power and help your vehicle power its accessories. Your car's serpentine belt is driven by the crankshaft and operates the power steering pump, A/C compressor, alternator, and in some vehicles, the water pump. Serpentine belts are made of rubber and feature grooves or ribs to connect all of these systems, and utilize tensioners and idler pulleys that keep the belt routed properly and tight. Constant friction and heat exposure from the engine can cause the rubber of your serpentine belt to stretch, loosen, or split over time, which can result in performance issues. Cracks, looseness, or wear seen on the belt, as well as squealing sounds from your engine, air conditioning or power steering issues, or overheating can all indicate that your serpentine belt could be failing. If you notice squealing sounds while starting or driving your car, replacing the serpentine belt and its tensioner can help keep your vehicle running as it should. Serpentine belts can also experience issues due to a bad belt tensioner, damaged bearings, a failing water pump, or a misaligned pulley, so be sure to inspect these components to determine the source of the problem before making your repairs. A failed serpentine belt can cause your engine's accessories to underperform or stop functioning due to a lack of power, and should be repaired as soon as possible to help keep your engine running its best. O'Reilly Auto Parts carries serpentine belts, belt tensioners, and all the parts you need for your complete repair. If you'd like step-by-step guidance on your next repair, check out our How-To Hub for content like how to replace a serpentine belt, diagnosing a bad serpentine belt or tensioner, and much more. Make a more confident serpentine belt repair with resources and replacement components from O'Reilly Auto Parts.