Litens Campaign Emphasizes Proper Belt-Drive Maintenance

Litens Campaign Emphasizes Proper Belt-Drive Maintenance

When it’s time to replace the drive belt, it’s also time to replace the tensioners and pulleys.

Litens Aftermarket introduced its new “System Reset” campaign, aiming to bring awareness to the importance of proper drive-belt system maintenance.

In an effort to educate professional vehicle service technicians, Litens details what a system reset entails, its significance and the potential repercussions of neglecting this essential maintenance step when replacing a drive belt.

For a belt-drive system to perform optimally, the system’s components must be properly maintained and in tune with each other throughout the lifespan of the vehicle. When it’s time to replace the drive belt, it’s also time to replace the drive-belt system’s tensioners and pulleys. The system is properly reset when all components of the belt-drive system, including the tensioner, idler pulley(s) and the belt, are all replaced at the same time.

“As vehicle belt-drive systems become more complex, we’re aiming to equip technicians with both education and solutions,” said Scott Howat, national sales manager, Litens Aftermarket. “Properly resetting the belt-drive system enables the technician to reset the vehicle to its optimal OE level of performance.”  

Benefits of a system reset – replacing the tensioner and idler pulley(s) along with the belt – include enhancing the system’s reliability and longevity, as well as reducing the risk of component failure and subsequent breakdowns. Resetting all of the belt-drive system components together promotes optimal power transmission, minimizing slippage and improving overall efficiency, which can contribute to enhanced fuel economy and performance. 

Failing to fully reset the system can lead to imbalanced stress distribution, reduced overall system efficiency and premature wear of both the newly replaced parts and the remaining older components. This could result in increased friction, potential belt slippage and an elevated risk of component failure, ultimately compromising the entire belt-drive system’s reliability and performance.

Litens designs OE belt-drive systems and components to last for a designated period of time. While that number also depends on miles driven and the number of vehicle starts/stops, the belt-drive system typically runs for 100,000 miles before needing maintenance. As all of the system’s components are designed to work together, when the belt is due for replacement, it’s highly likely that the rest of the components in the system are also due.

For more information, visit https://www.litensaftermarket.com/.

You May Also Like

A Closer Look at Stabilizer Bars

You may know them as sway bars or anti-sway bars.

Stabilizer bars. You may know them as sway bars or anti-sway bars. You may know them as roll bars or anti-roll bars. They’re all the same thing, and it’s generally understood they improve handling … but how?

Any time a vehicle is turning, the forces that act upon it cause the body to roll, sway or tip away from the turn. It’s the laws of physics at work. In extreme situations, these forces can cause a vehicle to tip over, though that’s generally only the case with taller trucks and vans, and rare at that. You really have to be moving for that to occur. The real factor is how they negatively affect handling and how a stabilizer bar can prevent it from happening.

Understanding the Emission-Control System

These components should be high on the list of parts you sell.

Bleeding the Brakes

It’s a simple concept, but not without the occasional headache.

The ‘Other’ Gaskets

Why should head gaskets get all the glory?

Why Private Equity Loves the Automotive Aftermarket

The same qualities that make the aftermarket a great place to do business make it a compelling investment for PE.

Other Posts

Litens Expands OAD, OAP Coverage

The new SKUs include late-model coverage for popular Ford, Hyundai, Buick, Nissan and Honda models.

Litens Adds 28 New SKUs Covering 7.6 Million VIO

The SKUs consist of 15 pulleys covering 4.4 million vehicles in operation, and 13 belt tensioners covering 3.1 million VIO.

Resetting the Belt-Drive System

When replacing a serpentine belt, the tensioners and other components in the belt-drive system need to be replaced as well.

Identifying the Correct Alternator Pulley

Replace the OAD and tensioner with the belt as part of a mileage-based service.