Can the car still be driven if the alternator belt is broken?
2 Answers
The car can still be driven if the alternator belt is broken, but it should be replaced as soon as possible. The reason is that a broken alternator belt will affect driving safety and may also cause the vehicle to break down. The alternator belt is the main belt in a car, connecting the alternator, air conditioning compressor, power steering pump, idler pulley, tensioner pulley, and crankshaft pulley. The power source of the alternator belt is the crankshaft pulley, and the power is provided by the rotation of the crankshaft. The alternator belt needs to be replaced under the following circumstances: 1. When the belt core breaks or the groove surface cracks, it must be replaced immediately; 2. When the belt cover layer separates from the cord or the cord frays, it needs to be replaced; 3. When the belt is placed on the pulley and there is no gap between the inner diameter of the belt and the bottom of the pulley groove, it needs to be replaced.
Last time the alternator belt on my car snapped, it was really terrifying. Once the belt breaks, the alternator stops working and the battery can't charge. You might think you could still drive a short distance, but in reality, the battery won't last long before the engine stalls, leaving you stranded on the roadside in a dangerous situation. Even worse, this belt often also drives the water pump. If the water pump stops, the engine coolant won't circulate, and the temperature can skyrocket within minutes, potentially burning through the cylinder head, leading to repair costs in the thousands. I remember a novice friend of mine who tried to drive a few hundred meters and ended up with a completely ruined engine, costing him a fortune. So never take the risk—pull over immediately, turn on the hazard lights, and call a tow truck. Safety first. For regular car maintenance, check the belt for cracks every 50,000 kilometers and replace it in time. Don't wait until it fails—trying to save a little money now could cost you big later.
