Replace Your Car’s Belts
Southeast Auto Body’s Car Care Tip of the Week: Replace Your Car’s Belts Regularly
Do I really need to replace the belts in my car?
You took your car in for routine maintenance and the mechanic says you need to replace your belts. Or your dashboard lights indicate a belt issue, or maybe you checked your automobile manual and see that it’s time to replace them. Changing your car’s belts will cost several hundred dollars and you don’t know if you really want the expense right now. Do you REALLY need to replace your belts? You haven’t noticed any problems with them.
The answer is yes, you do need to replace them at the manufacturer’s recommended intervals. Don’t take your car’s belts for granted. Breaking a belt while driving can do serious engine damage that will cost you much more than the cost of replacing your belt at the recommended interval, usually several thousand dollars. Plus you’ll be stranded when it breaks.
Types of Belts
Depending on the age of your car and type of car, you may have serpentine, timing, v-belts or a combination of the above. The serpentine belt is a single, wider belt used to replace the multiple belts that were used in older cars. It drives many devices in the engine, including the alternator, water pump, power steering, air conditioning compressor and the air pump. A timing belt turns the camshaft(s) and controls the timing of the engine’s valves. V-belts were often used in older cars, are thinner than a serpentine belt, and are individual belts for various accessories.
What Causes Belts to Break Down?
Several factors contribute to wear and tear of automobile belts, including mileage, the age of the car, heat, belt tension and oil contamination. Sometimes you can see the grooves on the belt shedding, or the belt appears slightly loose. In older cars, you may hear a squeaking noise during start-up or when driving. Another sign is coolant leaks. Most cars have a dashboard indicator that will tell you that your belts need to be looked at.
Replace Your Car’s Belts Regularly
Replacing belts at recommended intervals is one car care tip that you need to follow. It’s not an option. Because the belts run major engine parts, it’s important to have them installed correctly or further damage can occur. Valves and pistons must be correctly synchronized so they don’t collide and break. Most people need to have belts replaced by a professional mechanic to ensure that they are installed correctly.
This car care tip of the week is provided by Southeast Auto Body, your metro Denver collision repair service center, conveniently located in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
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