Mopar Belts

What belts do in a car is move its many parts, scattered throughout various systems. In fact, the more a vehicle has, the more belts it requires to run them. There are three types: serpentine, drive, and timing.

• The serpentine belt helps run systems ranging from the alternator to power steering. It works with a crank pulley, an idler pulley, and a tensioner.
• Drive belts pass through and help run systems like the water pump, radiator fan, and more. They're also called V-belts, and they run off the crank pulley.
• The timing belt keeps the crankshaft and camshaft moving in sync and helps prevent other parts from colliding with one another. In a newer vehicle, it's called a timing chain.

What Are the Signs of Bad Car Belts?

Unfortunately, no belt lasts indefinitely. If you think yours are going bad, inspect them for the signs.

• Look for cracks and shallow groove depths in your serpentine belt at 60,000 miles or so; a belt-wear gauge can help. Replace the belt by around 90,000 miles.
• Look for looseness or tightness in your drive belts and adjust them as needed. If they're too loose and can't be tightened, if they've cracked or begun squealing, if you're having alternator trouble, or your vehicle is overheating, though, you may need to change them.
• Look for damage to your timing belt and, if necessary, change it. Otherwise, replace it every 60,000 to 90,000 miles or so.
• If you have a timing chain, it should last your engine's lifetime.

Otherwise, when to replace belts is a question with an easy answer: do it according to your mileage and the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual.

Take Care of Your Next Car Repair Project with Genuine Mopar Belts

You can buy new ones directly from your OEM right here online, at our auto parts store. We carry only the genuine article, too, so they'll come from Mopar compatible with your brand and model, guaranteed. Order now, and we'll ship it out ASAP.