A serpentine belt drives the engine’s accessories, such as the air conditioner, water pump, and power steering. There are many things you may like to consider if you’re looking to replace your serpentine belt. This article will look at the five best serpentine belts on the market and will give you details of how to choose a serpentine belt that’s right for your vehicle.
What is the Serpentine Belt?
A serpentine belt the component that controls multiple devices in cars automotive engines. Its job is to drive the engine’s accessories, such as the alternator, water pump, steering pump, and air conditioner’s compressor.
It’s beneficial to invest in a good quality, functional serpentine belt as this will improve your vehicle’s performance. Many manufacturers create belts that have a multi-ridge construction; this makes it compatible with the engine’s layout.
In a hurry? Here are our top picks
Prices are not listed due to the necessity of picking a belt that will fit your vehicle/engine combo.
- Great value for money
- Durable and long-lasting
- Made from high-quality rubber
- Has a longer life than many belts
- Crack-resistant
- Ribbed design
- Flexible
- Great value for money
- Durable and long-lasting
- Made from high-quality rubber
- Has a longer life than many belts
- Crack-resistant
- Ribbed design
- Flexible
Best Serpentine Belt: Reviews
As noted above, pricing is not listed due serpentine belts not being a one size fits all solution.
1. Bando 6PK2135 OEM Quality Serpentine Belt
- Proprietary “Run Quiet” technology for better grip, less slip resulting in a quieter operation
- Strong tensile cords carry high horsepower loads without stretching
- Ground rubber ribs are compounded from high strength synthetic rubber for wear resistance and long life
- Fit type: Vehicle Specific
Bando produces excellent quality serpentine belts as they have been manufacturing rubber products for more than 100 years. This product is durable and long-lasting, it’s one of the best on the market.
It takes around fifteen minutes to install the belt, and the product works well and should last at least 30,000 to 40,000 miles.
Pro’s
- Great value for money
- Durable and long-lasting
- Made from high-quality rubber
Con’s
- Only suitable for some makes and models of cars, it’s essential to check that it will fit your vehicle before you purchase it.
2. Continental 4060840 OE Technology Series Multi-V Belt
- 6-rib, 84.0" Multi-V / Serpentine belt
- Straight-ribbed construction widely recognized by professional repair technicians
- New construction and compounding improves durability for a longer lasting, quieter ride
- The aftermarket multi-v belt that's precision engineered for perfect fit, form and function with a true OE pedigree
- Continental Elite Poly-V belts are transitioning to a familiar straight-ribbed design - OE Technology Series - that matches the OE style belt
The Continental Multi V-belt is a serpentine belt with a straight ribbed construction, which makes it very durable and long-lasting. This belt has been designed with strength in mind and has been created using OE technology.
Pro’s
- Recommended by professional repair technicians
- Durable, longer-lasting
- Creates a quieter ride
- OE Technology
- Has been strength tested
Con’s
- The belt is likely to squeal if not correctly installed
3. ACDelco 6K930 Professional V-Ribbed Serpentine Belt
- Drives several engine functions
- Some ACDelco Gold parts may have formerly appeared as ACDelco Professional
- Premium aftermarket replacement part
- Manufactured to meet specifications for fit, form, and function for General Motors vehicles as well as most makes and models
The ACDelco v-ribbed serpentine belt has been made from crack resistant EPDM rubber. It’s very durable and long-lasting while also offering motorists a quiet and dependable performance. This belt is estimated to last between 50 to 60 percent longer than other belts on the market.
The ribs help all the components on the accessory belt drive systems (ABDS) to operate to optimum levels. The belt is also flexible and able to bend.
Pro’s
- Has a longer life than many belts
- Crack-resistant
- Ribbed design
- Flexible
Con’s
- Slightly more expensive then other products but is better quality and built to last.
4. ACDelco 12576447 GM Original Equipment V-Ribbed Serpentine Belt
- Allows for the operation of various pulleys, and drive belt accessories, with the use of a single belt
- Creates a secure point of contact with the pulley, which allows for traction
- Some ACDelco GM Original Equipment parts may have formerly appeared as GM Genuine Parts (OE) or ACDelco Professional
- GM Engineers design and validate OE parts specifically for your Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, or Cadillac vehicle
- Original equipment parts are designed to work with your GM vehicle safety systems -- aftermarket replacement parts may not meet the same OE safety regulations, depending on the part type
This is another fantastic serpentine belt from ACDelco. It’s durable and can help minimalize the engine load while withstanding tension. It’s been designed and manufactured to be multi-ribbed, and this provides less slippage.
Pro’s
- Durable performance
- Good quality
- Offers reliability and is long-lasting
Con’s
- Doesn’t fit all vehicles, so be careful when ordering.
- There are reports that it squeals when very cold.
5. Gates K060950 Multi V-Groove Belt
- Product Type :Auto Part
- Package Dimensions :2.032 Cm L X 11.938 Cm W X 35.56 Cm H
- Country Of Origin :China
- Package Weight :0.55Lbs
The Gates Multi V-Groove belt offers excellent value for money. It’s durable and long-lasting and has grooves that provide more exceptional performance.
Pro’s
- Durable, long-lasting and flexible
- Contains grooves
Con’s
- There are reports that the belt may be too short.
Best Serpentine Belt Buyers Guide
The serpentine belt is one of the mechanisms in your car that’s likely to go unnoticed until it breaks down. Many people aren’t even aware that a serpentine belt is there and don’t know its function. The serpentine belt takes care of all the engine accessories by keeping them in their places.
After a while, the serpentine belt will start to suffer from wear and tear and will become less effective. This will cause your car to have issues, and you’ll need to replace it.
You’ll need to consider many things before choosing a serpentine belt as they are all slightly different. This article will help you to choose the best serpentine belt for your car.
Things to Consider when Buying a Serpentine Belt
Before purchasing a replacement, serpentine belt, there are a few things that you’ll need to consider, such as the materials it’s been created from. Some serpentine belts have slightly different features that make them more suitable for one type of vehicle than others. When searching for a serpentine belt, it’s important to check that you’ve selected the correct one for the make and model of your car.
The problem that many drivers have is that they think a serpentine belt will fit all cars. This isn’t the case. Buying a serpentine belt that isn’t correct for your vehicle could result in several problems. You may notice that the belt squeals or you might have to stretch it to fit your car, which could shorten the product’s lifespan.
Type of Material
The type of material used to manufacture the serpentine belt will affect how durable it is. A good quality belt will be hardwearing and long-lasting; it will also provide adequate resistance. Most good quality serpentine belts are created using a material called Ethylene Propylene-Diene Moner, or EPDM for short. This material allows manufacturers to produce belts that are consistent in their functioning and durability.
How the belt works
A serpentine belt is used to keep a selection of the vehicle’s devices together, as this ensures that they are working to full capacity. The serpentine has to be able to work effectively with other components that are involved in the process. If any of the pieces malfunction, this will affect how efficient your serpentine belt is. For this reason, you may need to replace one or more of the vehicle components while replacing the serpentine belt.
It’s crucial to find a belt that’s compatible with the car’s other parts. It will have to have the right specifications to fit the make and model of your vehicle. For example, you’ll need a serpentine belt that can effectively fit in with the pulley. You should look for a belt that’s the right size.
You may think that the serpentine belt needs to be replaced if you’re having problems with your car. This isn’t always the case; you should check every component to ensure that everything’s in good working order before deciding which pieces need to be replaced.
Buy from A Reputable Source
When replacing a serpentine belt, car owners are likely to do one of the following. They will either find a cheap product online and buy it without much thought, or they will do some research to ensure they have a good quality product that fits their vehicle.
If you make a rash decision and purchase a cheap product, you’re more likely to have problems. Its always a good idea to find a product that’s good quality and that has hundreds of good reviews on Amazon. Always do multiple checks on the unit’s features, as this will guarantee that the belt fits your car. If you have any doubts, you can ask the supplier any questions you may have.
It’s always a good idea to buy from a reputable source, many good quality serpentine brands on the market will provide durability and a longer lifespan. There are also lots of substandard products that are cheap.
Construction Type
There are many different types of serpentine belts, and these vary slightly in their construction. You’ll find multi-v belts, poly-v, or multi-rib serpentine belts. These are all multi-grooved.
Belts are designed with multi grooves as it makes them more flexible and also creates a strong resistance which transfers the power of multiple loads. It also helps to reduce slips and allows the pulleys to work effectively and provide better load transmission.
Conclusion
You’ll find that there are many serpentine belts on the market, and at first glance, they may all seem to be the same. It may seem like a difficult task to find the correct belt for your vehicle. Look for a belt that fits the make and model of your car, and that’s made from durable, hardwearing materials, a multi-grooved belt is likely to be the best option.
Choosing a great serpentine belt will allow you to get the best performance out of your car and will also create a comfortable driving experience.