What is a drive belt and what does it do?

Your drive belt is an essential part of your vehicle, responsible for running multiple components within your engine bay. Depending on the vehicle, the drive belt may be connected to various engine accessories such as:

• The air conditioning compressor
• Power steering pump (this may have a separate belt)
• Alternator
• Radiator fan
• Water pump and more

If you’ve noticed some odd behaviour such as a malfunctioning AC, if you find your car overheating or begin experiencing odd steering, you may have a bad belt and need to fit a replacement.

The drive belt is not to be confused with the timing belt, which synchronises the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft. This ensures that the engine timing is correct, hence the name. A failed timing belt can cause extensive damage to the engine and call for a complete rebuild.

Luckily, a broken drive belt is unlikely to harm engine internals, but it can still make getting where you need to go tricky. Especially if it affects engine cooling and hydraulic power steering, which can cause safety concerns while driving.

Noticed any of the aforementioned signs of belt breaks? Read on to find out what to do next.

What is a drive belt and what does it do?

The drive belt connects your engine to various accessories within your engine bay. These accessories may differ depending on the car make and model, but most commonly, they include the AC compressor, alternator, fan clutch and water pump.

The belt transfers power to these moving components, which allows them to keep your vehicle operating correctly. It is essential to maintaining the power output and cooling of your vehicle.

Unlike the timing belt, a broken drive belt will not destroy your engine. However, it may severely damage nearby components in the engine bay if it were to sever. It’s important to check the drive belt regularly and schedule preventative maintenance to avoid costly repairs.

Similarly, if the belt is not correctly tensioned, it may slip off or cause strain to system components, causing failure to both the belt tensioner and connected parts.

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Types of belts

The drive belt is also known as the serpentine belt or accessory belt. Serpentine belts can come in different configurations and materials depending on vehicle needs. Read below to find out more:

V-belt

Optibelt V-belts have a cross-section that is tapered in a “V” shape, hence the name. Some have a flat surface, and some have ridges (or teeth) that help make the belt durable, efficient and smooth running. It is the ideal cost-effective belt for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.

Ribbed belt

Optibelt’s ribbed belt range does not have a flat surface. It uses several raised horizontal ribs for added durability and temperature resistance. Designed as a high-performance belt, the RBK design has inbuilt wear indicators, which reveal red rubber markings when the black layer wears down. Wear indicators eliminate the need for special tools and belt removal to identify its condition.

Signs & symptoms

It’s best to replace your drive belt when the manufacturer recommends; this can be found in your logbook or owner’s manual. Most manuals suggest replacing your drive belt around every 100,000 kilometres.

However, if you notice anything odd while driving, the drive belt may have failed. Be on the lookout for:

• Squealing or squeaking from the front of your car
• Visible cracking or wear (or red rubber visible on RBK belts)
• Engine overheating
• AC working poorly
• Visibly worn pulleys or gauges
• Power steering malfunction