How Does Your Serpentine Belt Look?

Unless you drive a car that’s decades old, your engine is equipped with a serpentine belt. Sounds strange, doesn’t it? The word ‘serpentine’ is unusual in a car, making it sound like a snake. Its name comes from its purpose, and that’s to snake around all the pulleys to drive your Toyota’s accessories.

The serpentine belt is made of reinforced rubber, and will eventually need to be replaced. But how do you know when it’s time to replace your serpentine belt? What signs are there that it needs to be done sooner rather than later?

Sounds from the Engine Bay

Driving down the road, you’ve heard cars at stop lights with a rotational ‘chirp-chirp-chirp’ from under the hood. It’s embarrassing for the driver, but it’s usually easy to address. The cause most often is the serpentine belt.

It can get glazed or contaminated by oil, or it could be wearing out. If you hear the chirping noise from your Toyota’s engine bay, get the serpentine belt inspected. It might be time to replace the belt, preventing it from failing altogether.  

Visually Inspect the Serpentine Belt

It’s easy to check the condition of your serpentine belt. The most important step is to open the hood only when the engine is off! Safety first. Look at the smooth side and the ribbed underside of the belt. If you notice cracks between the ribs or on the smooth side, get the serpentine belt replaced. If there are bits of the rubber ribs that are loose or missing, it’s critical to get it replaced ASAP.

Remember, the serpentine belt drives most of the pulleys under your hood. If the belt breaks or comes off, you can lose your air conditioning, charging system, power steering, and your car could stall.

If you hear signs of wear from your serpentine belt or can’t remember the last time it was changed, give Jay Wolfe Toyota a call. We’ll check its condition and make sure your car is safe to drive.