i looked in my hood and noticed this serpentine belt. does it need replacement? it’s not making any squeeking noises car runs fine for being about 16 years old.
How old is it?
i bought this car used so i can’t guess who old it is. it’s a 2010. i am poor. i would rather not spend money if it looks ok to someone with experience. i dont want to replace a part just because its been a certain amount of time. i want an input based on observation by someone with experience and knowledge to tell me it needs to be replaced. i noticed the rub on the belt that is why i am asking.
Really need to see the ribbed side of the belt…
Technically you are supposed to use one of these to measure wear…
But serp belts last much longer than people want you to think they will, if it is not fraying or making noise, run it…
I went as long as I felt safe doing before I changed the serp belt on my 2006 Corolla, it started squealing around 30K, I was driving 20+ miles each way to work at the time, and the other mechanics I worked with kept telling me to replace it… Well in 2016 and over 150K miles on it, I started to get worried about it and finally replaced it… Here is what mine looked like…
Disclaimer, I am a professional, I don’t recommend pushing it this far…
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You can’t tell the condition of a serpentine belt by looking at it anymore.
Belts today are made of EPDM rubber and don’t show wear like neoprene.rubber belts.
Tester
Mine in the picture above was EPDM rubber… EPDM rubber also last much longer than the serp belts from the 90’s…I have seen a lot of belts still being used long after failing the wear check using the proper tools..
Now I am also in the south, way up north may differ…
What’s more “expensive”?
Replacing the belt now, on your own schedule and time?
Or… after the belt breaks one night after you leave work, and you have to call a tow truck? And still get the belt replaced?
Good luck. 
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Based on that single picture, it looks glazed
Please show us picture of some ribs
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car is not chirping or squeeling. based on AI glazed belts chirp or squeal?
Good gawd. At DIY prices, a belt costs maybe $50 at one of the rip-off auto parts stores. Online, you can get it for $25 or less, including tax and shipping. Why risk it for such little potential savings.
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i am not equipped to lift the car? online instructions say car needs to be lifted? i have ramps to get car up to do my oil changes. i dont have jacks and my drive way is angled so its dangerous to lift car for repairs.