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When should seat belts be replaced?

In Inspection, Maintenance, Safety by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

It’s a routine part of our driving experience: get in the car, grab the seat belt, and click it into place.

For most drivers, using this safety feature has become a habit. 

And if you have a newer vehicle, the alert system makes it nearly impossible to leave the belt unbuckled. 

We have become so accustomed to these reliable items that it can be hard to imagine them not working correctly.

As vehicles age, seat belt problems can develop.

What seat belt problems can occur?

Whether our technicians are performing a courtesy check or state inspection, looking over the seat belts is part of the process.

What are we looking for? 

Our technicians keep an eye out for fraying seat belts. Belts can become frayed over time (or if a dog chews on them).

Volkswagen Tiguan seat belt fraying.

Volkswagen Tiguan seat belt fraying

It’s also important that the seat belt light is working the way it’s supposed to. The light (which recognizes the belt is in use) should be able to turn on and off.

We want to make sure the retention on the buckle side is accurate and consistent.  

The seat belt retractor needs to be in good working condition, as well. If the belt comes out but doesn’t go back in, that’s a problem.

Another item we check is a safety latch. If the seat belt comes out too fast, it’s supposed to lock into place because that simulates a sudden stop during an impact.

What do we check during the Virginia State Inspection?

Our inspectors look for a few concerns when examining seat belts during a Vehicle Safety Inspection.

They check the belt’s condition and confirm it’s installed correctly. We make sure an approved kind of belt is used, as well.

How do we fix seat belts?

We fix seat belts with an O.E. replacement. The standard is to get them from the dealer. There are no aftermarket options. 

Every once in a while, we will need to find a used seat belt because no one makes them. 

On a couple of occasions, we have worked with a company that rebuilds seat belts. In those cases, that was the only option.

How often should seat belts be replaced?

For some car parts, it’s recommended to replace them after a certain number of miles or period of time.

Seat belts, on the other hand, usually last a lifetime. You only need to get new ones if something is wrong.

Why is it important for your seat belt to be working properly?

You need to have a functioning seat belt for a couple of reasons.

First of all, checking the seat belt is part of our Virginia State Inspection process. If there’s a problem, the car may not pass the state inspection.

But it’s not just about getting through this yearly requirement. Having a seat belt that is in good working order improves your safety.

Your seat belt is what keeps you from going through the windshield in case of an accident or when you have to stop at the last minute.

If your seat belt is looking a little worse for wear or it’s not working as designed, bring the vehicle by a shop or ask an automotive professional to look into it during the next maintenance service.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located near Manassas, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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Drive belts and the Virginia Safety Inspection

In Inspection, Maintenance by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

A lot of vehicles we’ve worked on have come in with a variety of belt problems.

Some were due for belt replacement. For others, the issue involved nearby components.

Drive belts help engine accessories operate correctly. They are looked over during the Virginia Safety Inspection.

What belt problems will fail the Virginia Safety Inspection?

Whenever we check under the hood, our goal is to make sure everything is in safe condition.

Certain issues can lead to a vehicle failing the Virginia State Inspection.

Our technicians want to confirm that nothing is wrong with any serpentine belts that wrap around the power steering pump.

These problems include belt wear, if the belts are missing, or if the belts don’t have the right amount of tension.

What bad drive belt symptoms do we look for?

Worn drive belt tensioner.

Worn drive belt tensioner

Worn drive belts are one of the items inspectors are watchful of.

We also check for problems with the drive belt tensioner and idler pulleys.

A customer asked us to look over their Toyota Venza before they went on a trip.

When he looked under the hood, our automotive technician noticed the drive belt was slowly coming off of the tensioner. This occurred because the drive belt tensioner had worn out and was no longer aligned. 

It was recommended that the belt and tensioner be replaced.

For a Chevrolet Silverado, a new belt tensioner and idler pulley were needed. The idler pulley bolt was loose, allowing the pulley to wobble.

How do I know if I have a worn drive belt?

Worn drive belts will cause a squeaking sound, but they normally need to be influenced to make noise. The majority of your belt problems come from an underlying cause. 

Idler pulley and belt tensioner replacement on Chevrolet Silverado.

Idler pulley and belt tensioner replacement on Chevrolet Silverado

You have two different types of tensioners – spring loaded tensioners and mechanical tensioners.

Mechanical ones can be adjusted. Spring loaded cannot. Once the spring becomes weak, the tension goes over time and wears out the belt prematurely. 

The adjustable ones will sometimes make a noise during colder times of the year. This sound may go away as it warms up. You can adjust the tensioner to quiet the belt down, but the noise usually comes back.

A worn serpentine belt may be found when your vehicle is being inspected.

Belt replacement is recommended under a variety of conditions – if a belt is discolored, if there are a certain number of cracks within an inch, and even if the grooves form into a specific shape.

We also make sure the vehicle doesn’t have any fraying belts, and that fluids aren’t dripping on them.

The car’s mileage and recommendations from the manufacturer are considered, too. Where the vehicle is driven, the car’s purpose, and the belt quality play a part in the belt’s lifespan.

What can cause drive belts to go bad?

Belt problems can develop over time. 

Cracks and other wear stem from daily use. Heat and friction could lead to oxidation, causing belts to become discolored.

Issues with other parts, such as the tensioners or idler pulleys may impact belts, as well. Worn out tensioners, for example, might result in a loose belt.

Oil leaks and coolant leaks are other possible culprits. These fluids can get on the belts and cause them to slip.

Something as simple as having your drive belts checked regularly can keep you informed on how they are holding up.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located near Manassas, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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When is it unsafe to drive your vehicle?

In Inspection, Safety by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

Safety is top of mind as our shop services vehicles. Whether our technicians are performing maintenance or taking care of needed repairs, we want to make sure customers are driving off in a safe car.

Sometimes, when vehicles are brought in or as we’re inspecting them, we find that they are unsafe to use.

How do I know when my car is unsafe to drive?

A reliable auto repair shop will be able to tell you during a visit if your car is unsafe to drive. But you may be out and about and have some concerns.

Here are some situations that would impact a car’s safety:

  • Defroster not working
  • Flashing check engine light
  • Fluids low or leaking
  • Lights out
  • Low brakes
  • Low tire tread
  • Mirrors missing
  • Seat belt issues
  • Secondary rubber or chords showing
  • Steering and suspension problems
  • Tire belt separating

Defroster not working: To maintain visibility, the defroster needs to be working properly.

Check engine light on Ford F-150.

Check engine light on Ford F-150

Flashing check engine light: You should avoid driving a vehicle if the check engine light is flashing, because it can mean that there’s an engine problem. Ignoring this issue may lead to catalytic converter damage.

Fluids low or leaking: Brake fluid and power steering fluids are your two main safety fluids. It’s important that they aren’t low or beyond their usable life.

Lights out: Are there problems with any of the lights? This includes headlights, brake lights, and turn signals.

Empty brake fluid reservoir.

Empty brake fluid reservoir

Low brakes: When inspecting vehicles, our technicians make sure the brake pads aren’t getting too low and the brake rotors are thick enough.

Low tire tread: The tread depth will determine how much traction the tire has. It needs to have at least 2/32 of an inch to pass the Virginia State Inspection, but some manufacturers might recommend replacing them sooner.

Mirrors missing: Another item we check is the review mirror to confirm that it isn’t missing.

Seat belt issues: Frayed and missing seat belts are also a safety concern.

Secondary rubber or steel chords showing: If a tire isn’t replaced when the secondary rubber or steel cords are showing, the tire could blow out.

Steering and suspension problems: You will want to make sure the steering and suspension components aren’t missing or damaged. Some examples include ball joints, tie rod ends and control arms.

Tire belt separating: Belts are another part of the tire we keep an eye on. We worked on a Ford F-150 that wasn’t safe to drive because the belt was separating on one of the tires. The technician wasn’t able to take it on a test drive because of the tire, which needed to be changed.

Playing it safe

These items are just some safety issues we may run into at the shop.

A lot of them are checked during the Virginia Safety Inspection. They are included in our courtesy inspection, as well.

Problems can also crop up in your daily life.

If you’re driving or about to get behind the wheel and you aren’t sure if your vehicle is safe to drive, reach out to an auto repair shop for an expert’s opinion.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located near Manassas, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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Exhaust leaks: Make sure to repair them right

In Inspection by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

Choosing to solve a car problem the quick way might not be for the best long term.

A vehicle that was brought to our shop had exhaust muffler paste on a flex pipe. The customer had done this to stop an exhaust leak.

However, there are some problems with the way the leak was addressed.

This repair doesn’t follow Virginia safety inspection guidelines. According to the Virginia state inspection, you aren’t allowed to seal up an exhaust leak using muffler paste. 

This also isn’t a permanent solution. It may work for a little bit. But as the paste heats up and cools down, and you hit bumps in the road, it eventually falls off. Then, you’re back to your original exhaust leak. 

It’s also important that you not solve exhaust leaks with paste because if it did crack when you’re going down the road, those exhaust gasses can build up in the vehicle, which is bad for you.

How to fix exhaust leaks

There are a couple of ways that you can correctly fix an exhaust leak. The first option is replacing the pipe and all the components that are tied to it. You can also sometimes buy flex pipe pieces, cut out the old section, and weld in the new one. 

The only problem you could run into when putting a replacement flex pipe is if the pipes are rusting or are too far gone. You may not be able to weld the parts on and the pipes would need to be replaced.

This person spent a lot of time applying the paste when they could have gone into an auto repair shop and had it fixed legitimately after about an hour or hour and a half of work. 

We see problems on a lot of used cars that people are planning to buy or just purchased. This is one of the reasons why you want someone to take a look at a vehicle you’re buying or a used one that you acquired. By getting it inspected, you can catch things like this. 

What we check during the state inspection

The exhaust system is one of the areas we check during a state inspection. Safety is our main concern, so we make sure there aren’t any problems. 

Audible exhaust leaks are among the issues we keep an eye (or an ear) out for. Sometimes you can see exhaust leaks. If a crack is starting to develop, you might not necessarily hear it – especially when you’re in the car – but you can see the residue on the pipes or the joints as you’re looking at it from underneath.

Our inspectors look over various parts and ensure that they are secure, as well. This extends from the exhaust manifolds coming off the engine to the catalytic converter (or converters – depending on the vehicle there could be anywhere between one and five). Other parts checked include the or O2 sensors, the flex pipes, the muffler, tailpipes, and any joint where it bolts together – whether it’s with a gasket or not.

You can read about other things we look for when inspecting the exhaust system in this article we wrote.

Steve’s Auto Repair performs state inspections and emission tests. Our Woodbridge mechanics also perform digital vehicle inspections as part of our oil change process.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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State Inspections piece by Steve’s Auto Repair owner published

In Inspection by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

State inspections and whether they are necessary has been heavily discussed by Virginia lawmakers and those working in the automotive industry.

This topic is the focus of an article that was published by InsideNOVA earlier this month.

The Northern Virginia media outlet shared an opinion piece by Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire Co-Owner ST Billingsley. 

Titled “State Inspections help keep local drivers safe,” the guest column talks about why the annual requirement is important.

One out of five vehicles didn’t pass the safety inspection in Virginia in 2018, according to Keep Virginia Roads Safe. Of those that failed, 78 percent had infractions associated with steering and suspension components. There were braking violations on 44 percent of the automobiles, and tire infringements on 41 percent of them. 

Vehicles, the article explained, can have issues without drivers being aware of them. If those problems aren’t addressed, they can jeopardize the safety of the drivers, their passengers, and others.

The number of deaths on highways rose in states that got rid of safety programs, such as South Carolina and Florida.

In the opinion piece, Billingsley also encouraged drivers to have their vehicle inspected each year, and avoid using cars that haven’t received regular maintenance or been checked over by an automotive professional.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.