How to Check the Drive Belt in a Car

Checking the drive belt on your car is an important part of routine periodic maintenance. It runs the alternator, water pump, air conditioner, power steering and, sometimes, the cooling fan. Belts should last up to 50,000 miles, but if you find one that's brittle, frayed, worn or torn, replace it, regardless of its age, to avoid a breakdown while you're driving. Here's how to check it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Check the belt with the engine off. If you can't see the whole length of the belt at once, you may need to "bump" the ignition switch a couple of times to get the engine to turn just enough to get all of the sections up where you can inspect each part.

2. Look at the entire outside length of the belt to check for cracks or tears in the surface.

3. Turn a section of the belt out toward you with your fingers so you can view the underside of the belt. It should feel flexible and supple. A hard, shiny surface indicates the belt is old and brittle. If this is the case, replace it, even if you don't see other signs of wear.

4. Inspect the entire inner surface carefully, a section at a time. Most belts have treads across the underside to help grip the pulleys. Look for frayed spots, cracks, tears or areas where the tread is worn or broken off. Any of these symptoms means the belt could slip or fail, and you should replace it.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your hands back out of the way when the engine turns if someone is "bumping" the ignition switch for you to inspect the belt.