When to replace a worn out drive belt?
A worn-out belt must be replaced. A drive belt must also be replaced if it is found to be soaked in oil, or stretched. If your car has two drive belts, both are usually replaced at the same time. It’s also a good idea to replace an old drive belt before a long road trip.
How long does a serpentine belt last on a car?
If there is only one drive belt, it might also be called a “serpentine belt.” Although it’s made of a very durable rubber-based material, the drive belt still wears over time. On average, a drive belt lasts for 45,000-75,000 miles or 3-5 years. A worn-out drive belt may cause squeaking or chirping noises and a badly-worn drive belt can break.
How many miles does a Mazda drive belt last?
Fig1, Fig2. The Mazda has two drive belts. Fig3. A drive belt is made of long-lasting rubber-based material. In most cars, a drive belt is replaced between 40,000 and 70,000 miles, however, we have seen cases where the drive belt lasted over 100k miles.
What causes a drive belt to wear out faster?
Water, road dirt, excessive heat and oil leaks can cause the belt to wear faster. For example, if the protective shield underneath the engine (engine undercover) is damaged or broken, the serpentine belt will wear out sooner. Eventually, an extremely-worn serpentine belt will break.
When is a drive belt should be replaced in your car?
Most cars have one or two drive belts. When a car has only one drive belt, it might be called a serpentine belt. For example, this Ford engine in the first photo has only one drive or ‘serpentine’ belt. The car in the next photo has two drive belts.
How long does a serpentine / drive belt last?
With that being said most serpentine/drive belts can last for a very long time before they need to be replaced. The lifespan of the belt will depend mostly on the type of material it’s made of. Older style belts generally last about 50,000 miles, while those made from EPDM can last up to 100,000 miles.
Fig1, Fig2. The Mazda has two drive belts. Fig3. A drive belt is made of long-lasting rubber-based material. In most cars, a drive belt is replaced between 40,000 and 70,000 miles, however, we have seen cases where the drive belt lasted over 100k miles.
What happens if you break the drive belt?
For cars in which the water pump is also controlled by the crankshaft, breakage of the drive belt can cause the engine to overheat, which may result in serious problems for your vehicle. With proper maintenance, you can protect your car from serious damage and save yourself some money on repairs.