Meet our Partners: Litens (1) The OAD

It's hard to believe that Decoupler pulleys, also known as OAD Overruning Alternator Decoupler pulleys, first appeared on vehicles a quarter of a century ago. Their primary function is to intermittently disconnect the alternator from the rest of the vehicle in order to alleviate issues brought about by continuous increases and decreases of engine RPM with respect to the rotation velocity of the alternator pulley/rotor. By momentarily uncoupling the alternator pulley from the rest of the belt, engine vibrations are significantly reduced. This results in quieter and smoother operation of the engine, less wear and tear on the belt, tensioner, and all other belt-driven components. Additionally, there is even a slight increase in overall fuel efficiency. 

Given the complexity of OAD pulley technology, A-1 Auto Electric only replaces original equipment decoupler pulleys with O.E. Litens OAD's. Litens is not only a global leader in OAD technology, they also invented and patented it! Some suppliers cut corners by attempting to substitute OAD's with cheaper options such an clutch pulleys or even worse, regular solid pulleys. This should never be done. Cars that have been equipped with OAD systems are designed and tuned to operate with OAD pulleys fitted onto the vehicle's alternator. Failure to use an OAD pulley when replacing the alternator can result in drivability, noise, drive belt, and tensioner issues. 

By consistently installing brand new O.E. Litens decoupler pulleys, A-1 Auto Electric will continue to  provide the best alternator for your vehicle. 

Overrunning Alternator Decoupler Pulley by Litens