If a strange squeaking noise occurs while driving, many car owners should be extremely careful: because this squeaking could come from under the hood – it could be a defective or slipped V-belt. Many car owners do not even know what the task of the V-belt is, why it starts to squeak, that it can even tear and what a defect or even a V-belt tear ultimately means for the vehicle. In order to show you more precisely what kind of component this is, we would like to explain below what the V-belt looks like, what its function is in the vehicle, why the V-belt squeaks and what you can do about it. We also go into useful tips on how such a V-belt can be maintained in the best possible way. We also cover when the V-belt should be changed and what the cost of replacing the V-belt on your vehicle can be. At this point you should know that you can also replace a V-belt yourself. However, at this point you should have some experience in the field of car repairs and have the necessary tools.
But first: what is the V-belt actually?
The V-belt is a component that is up to 160 centimeters long and whose main task is to ensure the electrical supply of the car's energy. This makes the V-belt one of the most important components of your vehicle. And yet we usually only notice its existence when it causes problems.
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How does the squeaking on the V-belts come about?
This component always squeaks when the V-belt slips. There are two possible reasons for this: when it's wet, the V-belt can slip off the pulley, but it usually returns to the position it belongs in by itself. However, if the squeaking noise does not stop, this more or less indicates wear. Then it is too loose and is not tight enough on the V-belt pulley. At this point you should not hesitate and act: go to a workshop, because worse can still be prevented.
What can I do so that the V-belt lasts a particularly long time and when does an exchange have to take place?
The best prevention here is regular checks. You should simply do a finger test for this. To do this, open the hood, locate the V-belt and slide your finger under the V-belt. The V-belt should not be able to be lifted more than two centimetres. Otherwise it's too loose. If this is the case, an exchange should take place. This means that the second question, when exactly the V-belt should be replaced, is also superfluous. An exchange only has to take place when it is necessary. The battery indicator on the dashboard may also light up. This is also an indication that an exchange must take place. In general, you can also consult your vehicle's manual to find out how often it is recommended to replace your vehicle's V-belt. On average, the manufacturer recommends a replacement every eight years or every 100,000 kilometers, but as I said, this always depends on the vehicle type and the individual condition and use of the vehicle.
What can it cost me if the V-belt in my vehicle has to be replaced?
Since the V-belt itself is not an expensive component, you can buy it for less than ten euros. But the exchange can – also depends on the model of the vehicle – be elaborate. Of course, you pay significantly more for the work involved in a workshop than if you replace it yourself.
How can I replace the V-belt myself?
You should be able to claim to be experienced in auto repairs if you want to get down to business and change the V-belt on your car yourself. If you drive a fairly modern car, i.e. from a recent model year, you might be better off going to a workshop, where the replacement can be particularly expensive. But if you dare to take on this challenge, have the necessary experience and also have the right equipment, then we would like to give you a brief overview of how you should replace the V-belt on the vehicle yourself:
First you should loosen the V-belt. To do this, you can loosen the slotted screw from the generator. You should now be able to move and access the alternator. First, the old V-belt should be loosened and dismantled. The new belt should now be placed in the same place and tightened again by turning the generator back. Finally, you should start a test run by turning on the engine. If the battery indicator no longer lights up, you did a good job and probably did everything right. If this is not the case, then perhaps you should entrust the completion of the work to the specialists of a workshop. Better to be on the safe side, because the V-belt is an important component in your vehicle and there should be no mistakes when replacing it.
The conclusion and a tip from CarTipsandmore
As we now know, the V-belt is a component in the vehicle that is essential and can quickly cause problems. To avoid a complete rupture of this component, you should act at the first sign of wear. Because many motorists have already heard it: a noticeable squeaking sound coming from the engine compartment. You now know that the noise is coming from the V-belt, which may have slipped. Some motorists particularly notice this unpleasant noise when the temperature outside is cold. Most drivers then like to panic. But CarTipsandmore has a tip for you: the squeaking in cold weather conditions occurs because the belt in question is particularly hard and stiff in cold weather, which results in a reduction in the coefficient of adhesion and slipping of the component is then more likely. If it is also damp and cold, then the V-belt may be even more likely to slip off. However, if your V-belt squeaks even in dry weather conditions and the noise does not go away after about 30 seconds, then you should not hesitate and visit a workshop. CarTipsandmore recommends: play it safe again and save a lot of money.