How Often Should a Car Engine Belt Be Replaced?

[Elle]

Car engine belts are generally replaced every 2 years or 60,000 kilometers. A broken engine belt can lead to failures in the car's air conditioning system, power steering system, power generation system, and other malfunctions. Methods to determine if an engine belt needs replacement: 1. Touch by hand: Locate the engine belt and feel its inner side with your hand. If it feels rough like sandpaper, it indicates some aging of the belt, but whether it needs replacement cannot be determined yet. 2. Visual inspection with light: Use a flashlight to check if the outer nylon layer of the belt is turning white. If there's only slight whitening that can be wiped off by hand, it's usually not a problem. However, if the whitened edges cannot be cleaned, it requires attention. 3. Pinch test: The purpose of pinching the belt is to feel whether the rubber belt retains good flexibility. If the belt feels stiff like a stick with no flexibility, even without cracks or whitening, it is likely already aged and hardened, requiring replacement.