WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.P65Warnings.ca.govGood Maintenance Practices:
- Do not use belt dressings to stop belt slippage or noise. These are oil based and may cause belt deterioration.
- Never twist a belt more than 90 degrees during inspection. This may damage the tensile cords and cause premature failure.
- Replace serpentine belts every 60,000 - 100,000 miles. Check vehicle's owner's manual.
- Replace V-belts after 3 to 4 years, or every 36,000 to 48,000 miles.
- Use an approved tension gauge to check belt tension.
- Check for proper belt tension after 500 to 1,000 miles following belt installation. Recheck often, at least twice a year or every 6,000 miles.
Troubleshooting Tips:
- Rubber Loss: (most common belt wear) a belt wear gauge measures rubber loss, which can result in reduced power transfer from the crank to the accessories.
- Glazing: shiny spots can indicate a slipping belt that isn't properly transferring power to accessories.
- Pilling: worn rubber can fill in grooves and cause noise, heat, vibration, and excessive wear.
- Abrasion: wear along the side could indicate misalignment due to a failed tensioner.
- Cracking: older neoprene belts crack as they near the end of their life cycle and often need to be replaced.
- Engine stops or backfires.
- The belt is producing a squealing noise.
- Headlights dim while driving.
- Loss of battery charge.