V-ribbed belt

A V-belt, also called multi-ribbed belt, is a belt that drives the water pump and the alternator. The V-belt itself is driven by the motor. Since most cars today have power steering and air conditioning (which are also driven by the V-belt), we speak of a multi-belt. The multi-ribbed belt itself is kept under tension by tension rollers and is sometimes confused with the timing belt. However, this is deeper in the car and is therefore not immediately visible, while the multi-ribbed belt is.

Today, all cars have power steering, and most air conditioning, and we speak of a multi-ribbed belt rather than a V-belt, because it also drives the power steering pump and the air conditioning pump. The V-belt or multi-belt is kept under tension by means of one or more tension rollers.