How to Locate the Serpentine Belt in a Car

Understanding what lies under the hood of your car is key to avoiding costly repairs, especially with problems that may not require a trip to the body shop. If you think that your car’s problem might rest with the serpentine belt or need to check the status of your serpentine belt, here’s where to find it.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Know what you’re looking for. The serpentine belt is the drive belt that controls the air conditioner, alternator, power steering pump, water pump, and all other accessories not associated with the engine. It looks like a long grooved rubber band that wraps around different pulleys under the hood.

2. Bring a flashlight. When looking for anything under the hood of your car, make sure you have adequate lighting so that you can see in the spaces in between the different components of your car, especially the pulleys your serpentine belt is wrapped around.

3. View the engine from the power output side. This means that you want to be looking at your engine from where the transmission is located. The belts will be located at the back of the transmission area.

4. Consult the belt map. If you are having trouble deciding if the belt you are looking at is in fact the serpentine belt, check the car manual. There is a belt map diagram that shows where the belt wraps around. Compare what you are seeing with the belt map, and determine which belt is which.

Tips & Warnings

• If you’re having trouble finding the belts, realize that if you are driving a rear wheel drive vehicle, your belts will be located in front of the engine.