Toyota Serpentine Belt Buyer's Guide

Do you have a broken serpentine belt? Are you not quite sure what to do? Or are you just curious about serpentine belts? Either way, this buyer’s guide is for you. We'll discuss everything serpentine belts, including:

• What a serpentine belt is
• Why a serpentine belt is important
• How to diagnose a bad serpentine belt
• How to replace a serpentine belt
• Deciding between OEM and aftermarket replacement serpentine belts

If you have any questions that weren't answered in this guide, you're welcome to contact us.

What Is A Serpentine Belt And Why Is It Important?

If you look on the side of your transversely mounted engine, you'll see a thin belt that winds through several pulleys. That's the serpentine belt, and it's made of highly reinforced rubber. If you have a conventionally mounted engine, the belt is on the front. The serpentine belt powers many parts within the engine, including:

• Water pump
• Air conditioner compressor
• Power steering pump
• Alternator
• Air pump (if applicable)

The serpentine belt may seem like a simple part. Yet, it's very important because without one, the above parts will lose power. For a more thorough explanation of serpentine belts, check out this post.

How To Diagnose A Bad Serpentine Belt

If you think you may have a failing serpentine belt, you want to diagnose it ASAP. Luckily, it's pretty easy to identify a bad serpentine belt. This diagnostic guide will walk you through the process. To sum it up, you need to give the belt a thorough visual inspection. Look for any signs of damage, including:

• Cracks
• Frayed edges
• Missing chunks
• Rib separation
• Uneven rib wear
• Damaged ribs

How To Replace A Toyota Serpentine Belt

Replacing the serpentine belt is quite easy. You'll save so much money on labor by doing it yourself. All you need is this tutorial. The process involves loosening the tensioner pulley, removing the old serpentine belt, and then installing the new one. It's a pretty straightforward process.

OEM Vs. Aftermarket Toyota Serpentine Belts

Are you trying to figure out whether to buy an OEM or aftermarket serpentine belt? This comparison guide concludes that OEM serpentine belts deliver so much more value than aftermarket belts. OEM belts outperform their aftermarket copies when it comes to:

• The quality of the materials
• The dimensions
• Warranty
• Performance
• Cost savings
• Longevity

Read the guide for a more thorough explanation on why OEM serpentine belts are better than aftermarket belts.