fan belt

[/fæn bɛlt/]
nounpl: fan belts
correia do ventilador
1. A rubber belt in an engine that drives the cooling fan and other engine accessories by connecting to the crankshaft pulley
The mechanic replaced the fan belt because it was cracked and worn out.
O mecânico substituiu a correia do ventilador porque estava rachada e desgastada.
2. A serpentine belt or V-belt that transmits power from the engine to the fan and alternator
If your fan belt breaks, your engine will overheat quickly.
Se a sua correia do ventilador quebrar, o motor superaquecerá rapidamente.
Fan belts are a critical maintenance item in both American and Brazilian automotive culture. In Brazil, mechanics often emphasize regular inspection of the 'correia do ventilador' as part of preventive maintenance. In the USA, this term was particularly common before the 1990s; modern vehicles typically use serpentine belts. The term remains widely understood in both countries despite modern terminology shifts.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
serpentine beltV-beltdrive beltaccessory belt

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
correia do ventilador
Most common term used in Brazil
São Paulo
correia de transmissão
Alternative term sometimes used in São Paulo region
Portugal
correia do ventilador
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; European Portuguese uses identical terminology
General American
fan belt
Traditional term, though 'serpentine belt' is more common in modern usage

Related Words

pulleycrankshaftalternatorcooling systemradiatorengine belt

Related Idioms & Phrases

the fan belt is slipping - indicating a problem or malfunction in a mechanical system
tighten the fan belt - to fix or improve a deteriorating situation
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