What is a car drive belt?

A key component of your car's engine, the drive belt acts as a mechanical pulley and helps transfer power to other components. To ensure it can handle the intense tensile pressure, drive belts are typically constructed from rubber and other flexible materials.

How many drive belts does a car have?

Depending on the make and model, your car will typically have 1 or 2 drive belts;

- Serpentine belt: one of the most common drive belts, the serpentine belt sits under the hood and helps keep multiple components in your car running
- V-belt: also referred to simply as a drive belt, a V-belt keeps mechanical power running throughout your vehicle

How do you know if you need a drive belt replacement?

There are a couple of ways you can tell if it's time to replace your drive belt. You might notice your car feeling warmer for instance, as the drive belt helps provide power to the air conditioning, or your engine overheating due to the water pump no longer moving coolant around the engine.

If your drive belt snaps while you're on the move, your steering will feel loose and less controlled. For this reason, it's advised not to drive once you feel your drive belt snap or break.

How long does it take to fit a drive belt?

Replacing your drive belt is a fairly simple task, and involves rethreading the belt to make sure it holds enough tension to keep each component moving. This process can take between 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on your experience.

How do I choose a drive belt?

Our part picker tool can help you find the exact drive belt you need for your vehicle. The manual for your car can also indicate which one you need.

How to change a drive belt

1 - Find the adjustment fastener on either the alternator mounting or a different pulley wheel. Start loosening the fastener until you are able to remove the existing drive belt.
2 - Before fitting the new drive belt, check for any damage on the pulley wheels e.g., cracks, worn bearings etc. Any significant damage can mean wider replacements to the drive belt assembly.
3 - If you're fitting a v-belt, seat it firmly in the groove (it will also be v-shaped). When installing a serpentine belt, align it with the pulley grooves and ensure it isn't loose.
4 - Once the belt is seated, use a spanner to adjust its tension (a tension gauge will help you measure this accurately). Some vehicles might also have an automatic tension system, so check your vehicle's manual before adjusting it manually.
5 - With the bonnet still open, start the engine and see if the new drive belt is moving correctly. If it looks slack, it might need additional adjustment to the seating or tension.

BMW 2002 Car Drive Belt

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