A broken serpentine belt can stop your vehicle dead in its tracks. This belt turns the alternator, which provides power to systems like your power steering, water pump, and recharge the battery. If it breaks, your vehicle may not start, or worse, it could overheat or you could lose control of the steering.
Fortunately, broken serpentine belts are uncommon. But, worn belts are very common, and can cause a host of problems. An inspection and possible replacement of the serpentine belt is recommended every 60,000 to 90,000 miles. But, some belts can last 100,000 miles or more.
A common sign of a worn serpentine belt is squealing when you start the engine. This is an indication that the belt is slipping on the pulleys. If your engine has been overheating, that can also be a sign that the serpentine belt is worn. All sorts of little issues could be related to a bad serpentine belt.
You can do a quick inspection of the belt yourself; it’s easy to look for cracks, chips, and uneven rib wear on the serpentine belt. Also, check to see if the belt seems tight or loose. If you see any of these signs, it might be time to replace the belt.
Serpentine belts generally cost less than $20, so it’s a cheap repair for a do-it-yourself mechanic. If you bring your vehicle to the shop, it should take your mechanic an hour or less to replace it.