# Squeaking noise on cold start **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** nissan, sentra\ **Created:** [July 16, 2022, 9:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/squeaking-noise-on-cold-start/185297 "2022-07-16T21:34:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![oldwaysx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ee59a6/32.png) [@oldwaysx](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldwaysx)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 9:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/squeaking-noise-on-cold-start/185297/1 "2022-07-16T21:34:00Z")
Why does my car make a squeaking/squealing noise when I pull out of my garage on a cold start? I only really seem to hear it when I turn on the AC and press the brakes when driving forward or in reverse. I think it happnes too when I only have the AC on but haven’t been able to really test it, but I don’t hear it at all when the AC is off, even if braking. Is it the drive belt? I know a mechanic looked at recently and said it was fine but I do have a 100,000 miles on it almost. How could I find out? ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 9:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/squeaking-noise-on-cold-start/185297/2 "2022-07-16T21:37:53Z")
Why not just put a new drive belt on ? They are not that expensive . ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 9:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/squeaking-noise-on-cold-start/185297/3 "2022-07-16T21:42:17Z")
You can’t tell if a belt is worn by visually inspecting it. You use a belt wear tool to determine that. Take the vehicle to a mechanic who’s up to date on servicing today’s vehicles. [https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=gate+belt+wear+tool#kpvalbx=\_9i\_TYqqzIbKYptQPo\_26iAI32](https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=gate+belt+wear+tool#kpvalbx=_9i_TYqqzIbKYptQPo_26iAI32) Tester ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 9:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/squeaking-noise-on-cold-start/185297/4 "2022-07-16T21:58:50Z")
@oldwaysx You never answered my question . Is this your first vehicle or did someone take care of the service for you ? Also it might be a good idea to find an independent shop to look this Sentra over and bring service up to date. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2022, 12:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/squeaking-noise-on-cold-start/185297/5 "2022-07-17T12:05:51Z")
> [@VOLVO-V70](#): > > Why not just put a new drive belt on ? … and replace the belt tensioner while you’re at it. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2022, 11:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/squeaking-noise-on-cold-start/185297/6 "2022-07-18T23:22:56Z")
My Corolla did that, and just tightening the belt solved it. I expect however your Sentra uses a tensioner, so no way to tighten the belt. Then just replace the belt, likely will solve the squeak. Sometime it is possible for a shop to verify the problem is the belt by spraying a little water on the belt as the engine is running and belt is squeaking. If the noise goes away, very good chance the belt is worn out.