Updated June 6, 2024
Taking care of your car sometimes involves changing its belts.
The serpentine belt goes around engine accessories, including the power steering pump, air compressor and alternator. They can also be called “drive belts”.
Because the belt helps various components run correctly, it’s important to have it checked on a regular basis.
About drive belts
Vehicles on the road can have different setups. Some cars have more than one serpentine belt, while others have a couple of different belts.
These are some drive belts found on today’s cars:
- Dual drive belts: Dual drive belts are made up of “v” grooves on each side.
- Serpentine belt: Like dual drive belts, serpentine belts feature “v” grooves. However, they can only be found on one side, while the other side is flat.
- Stretch belts: Stretch belts are on a lot of Chevrolet trucks and SUVs.
- Timing belts: Surrounding the pulleys, timing belts make sure camshafts and crankshafts maintain the right timing.
- V belts: V belts can be found on older cars, which may have up to five.
Belt problems we look for
Belts are among the items our technicians inspect during the courtesy check. A digital vehicle inspection is performed at oil changes and when other car maintenance is needed.
We keep an eye out for a few serpentine belt problems that can develop from daily use. Worn belts eventually need to be changed. If the grooves are looking more like a “u” rather than a “v”, it may be time to have a new one put in.
Another factor is that drive belts can start to crack. A belt was recommended for a Nissan Rogue because the ribs were cracking across the belt.
Glazed drive belt on a Lexus GX470
Whether a vehicle needs a new belt also depends on the manufacturer’s guidelines for how many cracks a belt may have per inch.
Our technicians look for glazed belts during their inspection, as well. Discolored belts are an indicator of oxidation, which is a result of heat and friction.
Oil and coolant leaks are other issues that can lead to serpentine belt replacement. Belts could move or not work as designed if they are contaminated with fluids.
How often the serpentine belt should be changed
Manufacturers have recommendations for how often a vehicle’s belt should be replaced.
Typically, they last about 100,000 miles, depending on the quality of the belt, the usage of the vehicle, and the environment that it’s in.
For drivers who live near the ocean, where there’s a lot of salt in the air, the belts may only last 30,000 to 50,000 miles.
You need to check not only the belt but the serpentine belt tensioner. Not enough pressure on the belt can cause it to wear. The ribs can wear down on the belt, which can actually start to slip.
If you get too many cracks within an inch, then it’s definitely time to change it, no matter what the mileage is.
Other repairs or maintenance could result in swapping out the belt, too. An auto repair shop may suggest installing one if a component it goes around is being replaced.
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.