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How To Avoid A Costly Repair/Towing Bill

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What To Look For That Could Leave You Stranded

You are 50 miles from home coming back from your son's last football game, in the middle of nowhere, one of your dash lights pops on. Now two are on, smoke appears to be coming from under the hood, your windsheild is getting wet and it's not raining. Does this scene sound familar? Are you having flashbacks? (and I don't mean Woodstock!) If it hasn't, chances are it's just a matter of time. But the good new is, there is one thing you can check to reduce that possiblity greatly.

Table of Contents

  1. Every Car Has One!
  2. Now It's Time To Inspect
  3. Check Belt Regularly
  4. Check Out These Manuals
  5. Replacing That "Bad Old Belt"
  6. Good Tools To Have At Home
  7. Tie A Ribbon Around Your Finger?
  8. Are You Prepared For An Emergency?
  9. Here Are More Emergency Car Kits
  10. Alittle More About Me
  11. Thoughts, suggestions or a "high five" they're all welcome

Every Car Has One!

Once you've seen one...you haven't seen them all!

type=textYes every car has at least one, most of the later models that is, serpentine belt which operates a number of components on your car. However, in years past you could have as many as four v-belts (mostly pre-90's). Belts like any other component can break or stretch due to a manufacturing defect. Or one of the components the belt operates locks up or malfunctions and causes the belt jump off or break. However, more times than not it has been overlooked or neglected and this is were you have the "Power, the Pro Active Power!" to reduce the chances significantly are in your hands (literally). Just pop your hood (car hood, that is for some of You!) and take a look at that belt. If you don't feel comfortable after reviewing this page to do it yourself at least take to someone you trust to do it for you. Either way you are taking charge, and that's what is important. You are helping prevent or at least reducing the chances of a simple and relatively inexpensive solution that could easily turn into a potentially costly situation, in more ways than one.

Now It's Time To Inspect

In Rob Sniders' famous line , "YOU CAN DO IT!"

type=textSince the introduction of the front wheel drive cars in the eighties, with the occasional exception, the belt(s) are located on the left or right side of the engine compartment, depending on make and model. There are a few models I remember that have a belt on both sides, but that is a small percentage of engines and you can refer to you repair manual for help with those. Let me reiterate, everybody should have a manual on all of their vehicles. The internet is fine but, you may not always be where you can get online. Okay, some of you are shaking your heads and repeating the words I have heard before, "I have a Cell Phone I always have the internet". What if the one time you need help and you have no service where you are at. Alot of times pics on you phone it hard to get big enough or your phones dead and your cigarette lighter outlet(showing my age! don't think anybody calls it that anymore) is not working. I think you get the picture "better safe than sorry" to borrow an old saying.

Find a spot on the belt you can get to and inspect the under side of the belt (the side with the ridges). You may have to find a spot where you can turn the belt over with your fingers to inspect. Most belts or somewhat accessible, but if you have one you can get to be sure to have someone that you trust to check it for you at least once every 10k miles.

Check Belt Regularly

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Check Out These Manuals

Get one for each vehicle you own

It's like having a flash light when the lights go out!!!!
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Replacing That "Bad Old Belt"

For the do it yourself spirited individuals

type=textSome serpentine belts can be changed in just a few minutes, with a single tool however, other belts require more tools and more effort(That's were a good manual comes in handy). Under the hood most cars display a belt routing guide that can be found after opening the hood at the front of the engine compartment or on the underside of the hood. The will be very helpful when you get the old belt off and go to put the new one on. Even for those of us that have done hundreds of them, there are some many different configurations out there, it always helps to have a quick reference.

First thing you do is to look at the belt and see if there is anything impeding the removal of the belt. The belt is held in place by tension. This is accoplished with the use of a belt tensioner, which usually looks like a short arm with a wheel on it that applies tension on the back side of the belt (smooth side). This is were the "tool" comes in handy, in order to release the tension on the belt. Refer to the manual to help you figure out what tool you'll need, it always saves time if you have already reviewed the procedure in the manual and have the necessary tool(s) handy before attempting this.

Good Tools To Have At Home

Buying tools sets are often more cost effective!
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Tie A Ribbon Around Your Finger?

Hopefully this page will serve as a reminder and maybe help you avoid a possible automotive breakdown emergency. Or atleast know you have done your best, peace of mind can be golden.

Are You Prepared For An Emergency?

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"Stuff Happens!" but what you do prior to this can directly effect the out come

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Here Are More Emergency Car Kits

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Alittle More About Me

short version

I have recently been looking for different ways to accomplish some goals I've had most of my life and yet to fufill. Traveling the world, starting with 30 of the states that I haven't visited yet, and sharing my talents where ever and when ever I can. I enjoy learning about different cultures and meeting people that share the same zest for life.

Growing up in a college town, I got to meet people from all over the world through my familys' business. My father serviced and repaired many of the professors' and exchange students vehicles. We had quite a few families stay in our home over the years from atleast 10 different countries. I attended college for 5yrs only to wind up in the family business, which I ran for several years before I ventured out on my own and got married.

I have three beautiful children, the youngest will turn 4 yrs old in August my first girl, her older brothers are 16 and 17. Life has been on hold for a few years now but, I hoping through an online business I can fufill some of my dreams and provide for my family at the same time. I'm looking forward to meeting people even if it is online for now, I toured playing music for several years and met alot then, but now I work in front of a computer screen.
Thanks for taking a few minutes to listen, I look forward to hearing from you guys! Love the Squidoo community, everybody is so nice and helpful it has been a pleasure so far.
Thanks again!
Wayne
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Thoughts, suggestions or a "high five" they're all welcome

You have to provide your own cup of coffee though!

  • Annleecakes Jul 21, 2011 @ 8:00 am | delete
    Thanks for the great information!
    Blessings.......Annlee
  • rhondagoforth Jul 17, 2011 @ 8:04 pm | delete
    Very informative. Since I know little about cars, I will probably come back to your lenses.
  • SereneSea Jul 15, 2011 @ 10:44 pm | delete
    Great tips to save money, very much required in this economy.
  • mamamia2011 Jul 12, 2011 @ 2:31 pm | delete
    thanks a lot for thinking about sharing your knowledge about avoiding tow. This will certainly help many.
  • Pinkchic18 Jul 12, 2011 @ 7:53 am | delete
    High five! I've had a few of these break and it's not fun. Thanks for your tips and instructions on replacing!
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wayne_luvinlife

Hello everybody! My name is Wayne and I'm luvin'
LIFE and hope that you are also. Looking forward to meeting as many of you that I can and reading ab... more »

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