Warming weather and rising air temperatures are something many drivers look forward to, as driving conditions improve with better car grip from a warmed road surface, better visibility due to shorter nights, and lower fuel consumption. For all these reasons, more drivers are choosing longer trips on country roads. https://www.lllparts.co.uk/ specialists say that, in the warm season, drivers usually spend more time behind the wheel, so car mileage increases faster. For this reason, specialists urge drivers to regularly check their vehicle’s belts, as on long trips these extremely important parts must be in excellent condition.
Serpentine belt – an extremely important engine component
It is no secret that every car has an extremely important component: the alternator belt. Thanks to this belt, the engine’s energy is transferred to the generator, which produces electricity and prevents the car’s battery from draining. Over time, this generator belt wears out because it rotates thousands of times a minute; imagine how many times it rotates around a wheel after a car has driven tens of thousands of kilometres. The generator belt, subjected to constant loads, develops very small microcracks over time, gradually weakening it until it eventually breaks. LLLParts experts say the condition of the generator belt is much more important than many people think, so it’s necessary to check it before taking longer summer trips. Usually, such a simple job can be performed by almost any car service centre. Sometimes, when you encounter extraneous sounds or engine vibration, it turns out that not only the belt is to blame, but also its tensioner, which, when worn out, must be replaced.
Contrary to popular belief, in certain vehicles, the alternator belt is also called a serpentine belt because it powers not only the alternator but also other important components, such as the water pump, air conditioning pump, and more. This means the engine simultaneously transfers energy to several other important components of the car. Therefore, if you feel extraneous engine vibrations or sounds that should not be there, you should immediately check this serpentine belt.
Timing belt – a much more critical component
It is true that in a car engine, the serpentine belt is often not the only belt. There is also often a timing belt that is vital to the engine. It synchronises the crankshaft and camshaft, so the engine valves and pistons move at the right time. The condition of this belt can also deteriorate with car mileage, because it, like the serpentine belt, is constantly affected by the forces that determine belt wear. If this belt breaks, the engine often suffers catastrophic failure, which in some cases is no longer worth repairing. So, it is necessary to check it before long summer trips, because even minor damage during the trip can lead to catastrophic engine failure. LLLParts specialists say that some car manufacturers do not use a timing belt, but a timing chain. In essence, this is a component that performs the same function, but is designed and installed according to a different principle. In short, the belt is replaced by a chain, which, in theory, should be considered a more durable option, but this is not always the case.
Ensure the impeccable condition of your car for long summer trips by choosing original parts that meet the manufacturer’s requirements, which you can find here: https://www.lllparts.co.uk/catalogs
