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.
I’ll say it again, You cannot determine the condition of a belt that’s made of EPDM rubber by looking at it.
Tester
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alright. my car studders during idle sometimes should i replace spark plugs? mileage is about to reach 160,000 miles
Most sparkplugs last up too 100,000 miles. So, if they’re worn it could be causing the rough idle.
Is the Check Engine light on?
Tester
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yes light is on
You need to get the codes read to find out what is causing the Check Engine light to be on.
Tester
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You can get the codes read for free at a car parts store, get a printout and let us know what they are.
If not squealing at start up or when raining, I’d run it and put your limited funds towards your check engine light being on, and or spark plugs (OEM not OEM like) if time or required… Other than with mechanical failure of another part, I don’t remember seeing to many, if any EPDM rubber serp belts breaking, most of the time they will squeal like a pig before anything happens to one… Not saying it doesn’t happen, just saying it is not very common in my part of the world anyway, and I used to see from 20-75 vehicles a day depending on location…
And yes, mechanics and service advisers love pushing them, I never did unless really bad…
BTW the pictures I posted was of my EPDM rubber serp belt…
The 2016-2023 3.5l Tacoma’s and maybe even most/all those 3.5l’s spark plug are recommended every 60K, so you need to check your manufactures recommendations…
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I’ve got that plastic gauge for checking belt wear. Problem is getting decent access to th3 ribs. At any rate, I usually have them replaced about 50-60k even though they are not worn out. I don’t like surprises an$ rarely find myself at a shop for other work. So whatever fits my schedule. Now when buying a used car, I spend a little time and money bringing, belts, hoses, fluids, brakes etc. up to par so I know what the history is. Just part of the cost.
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