Why do belts screech

If you replace early when small amount of wear is found you can avoid a major repair later. A maintenance inspection performed during an oil change visit can reveal that a belt should be replaced. As with any recommendation to replace parts or service work ask that the service adviser show you what they find.

Ask to see worn parts like a torn belt, trustworthy auto repair shop will be happy to take you to your vehicle and fully explain why they are making a recommendation. What is Preventative Vehicle Maintenance? Schedule Service. A bad bearing in an alternator or power steering pump pulley can put extra strain on the belt system. It is a good idea to have your belt inspected often.

Or if you know what to look for you can inspect it yourself. If the belt is cracked and chipped, it should be replaced. In modern cars, when that belt breaks, your car is disabled.

So it is a smart idea to make sure it's in good shape. Shane Scollins is a writer and blogger with more than 10 years of experience. Why Do Serpentine Belts Squeak? Belts and Pulleys Exactly why a serpentine belt might squeak can be the result of various things. Friction The squeak you hear is generally a result of the belt losing its grip on one or more of the pulleys it is designed to spin.

Bigger Problems If the belt is good, tight, and dry but still squeaks, it could be a symptom of a bigger problem such as a bent or broken pulley. Ask a mechanic It is a good idea to have your belt inspected often.

When it comes to your serpentine belt, there are three main reasons it could be squealing, all of which are easily fixed:. Just like it sounds, this means the belt is old roughly , miles or longer. This can range from the belt elongating, to worn edges, to worn-down teeth. It may also indicate that the belt is damaged. Either way, this requires the belt to be replaced. The serpentine belt needs to be kept at a specific tightness and tension, which is the job of the aptly-named tensioner.

On older vehicles, as materials and systems naturally degrade, the tensioner may not be able to stay at a specific setting. This can be fixed by readjusting the tensioner every once in a while think of it like winding an old clock or completely replacing the tensioner.