The car belt is an essential but sometimes overlooked component of auto maintenance. It’s crucial to know about this part of your vehicle and when to tell if the belt is going bad. However, if your belt needs to be replaced, you can rest assured that your DARCARS Lexus service center in Silver Spring has you covered.
What Is a Car Belt?
Not to be confused with seat belts, these belts are integral to your engine’s function. They work with pulleys to power the alternator, water pump, and more. These devices are also called drive belts and usually present as a single belt (serpentine belt). Older cars may have a series of belts called v-belts. Some vehicles also have camshaft drive belts, or timing belts, which have a notched appearance.
You can find your drive belt underneath the hood of your car.
What Causes a Bad Belt?
The life span of a typical drive belt ranges from 60,000 miles to 100,000 miles.
Other than age, a few other factors may negatively affect the performance of your drive belts. Extreme temperatures can be a big cause for concern. If your engine is not properly protected from the elements, dirt and water can seep in and cause chaos to the belt. Leaking oil can likewise create conditions unfavorable to the belt’s longevity.
What Are Signs of Deterioration?
When looking under the hood, you can usually see the belt weaving along the side of the engine. A diagram of the belt can be found either on the engine bay or in your owner’s manual. A deteriorating belt will exhibit some visible signs.
Cracking or fraying could show up on a bad belt. When the belt is too loose, a significant problem could be imminent as well. If you push down along the belt’s center with your finger, the belt itself should not move further than about an inch. Another consideration: if you examine the bottom of the belt with a flashlight, look out for grooves that appear too shallow or are even missing.
How May Your Car Be Affected?
You may also notice symptoms of a bad belt while you are driving. For one, troubling noises may emerge from under your hood. A squealing sound is the most common noise. If you have a timing belt, ticking sounds may signal a problem. Further, the stress placed on the engine may cause it to overheat. For timing belts, the engine may not run at all.
In addition, since the engine impacts so many functions in your car, other components may begin malfunctioning. For example, you may lose power steering assist or air conditioning capabilities. You may also notice a warning signal from the battery on your dashboard.
Our experts here at DARCARS Lexus of Silver Spring hope this blog cleared up any questions or concerns you might have about your car belt, however we are always glad to help if you have any questions. Contact us today or go ahead and schedule a service appointment online if your vehicle is in need of a repair.
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