The serpentine belt uses your engine’s power to run a number of other systems, including: the alternator, power steering, and air conditioner. Serpentine belts dry out over time and start to crack. It's important to have it inspected regularly, and replaced according to your manufacturer's recommended schedule. Replacing the belt helps protect you from breakdown.

As part of the complete maintenance check you receive with every full-service oil change, we visually inspect your car's serpentine belt. If it has more than three cracks per inch in the ribbed section of the belt, and/or cracks that penetrate more than halfway through the thickness of the belt, it should be replaced.

Still, the serpentine belt's appearance doesn't always reveal whether it's on the verge of failure. Be sure to have it replaced on schedule — no matter how it looks.