6 Signs Your VW Needs a New Engine Belt

Oct 16, 2023

The car belt, also known as the engine belt or drive belt, transfers the engine’s power to various other vehicle components. If the drive belt ever loosens, cracks, or slips out of place, your car will experience all kinds of mechanical, electrical, and performance problems. Let’s take a look at the most common signs that it’s time to repair or replace your drive belt at your local VW dealership.

Your Engine’s Overheating

One of the most important functions of the drive belt is powering the cooling system’s water pump. This pump pushes the coolant through the system, keeping your engine from overheating. If the drive belt slips or somehow breaks loose from the water pump’s pulley, the coolant will stop flowing, and your engine will rapidly begin to overheat.

With overheating, you’ll notice the temperature gauge on your dashboard shoot up while your engine power plummets. If you keep driving, it won’t take long for your engine to shut down altogether. So if you ever detect overheating, pull over safely at once, wait for the engine to cool, then pop the hood and check the drive belt.

Your Cabin Won’t Cool Down

The drive belt also transfers power to the AC compressor: a vital part of the cabin’s air-con system. This will immediately stop the AC from properly cooling your cabin, which you’re very likely to notice while driving in the hot summer months.

Your Steering Feels Heavier

Power steering in most cars also depends on the drive belt to work. Without power steering functioning properly, you’ll suddenly find it much harder to turn the steering wheel, especially when moving slowly.

Your Battery Stops Charging

One more essential component that depends on the drive belt is the alternator, which generates electrical power to recharge the battery. If the belt fails to power the alternator, you may find yourself unable to start your car the next morning as your battery has died.

Your Car Belt Looks Damaged

You can visually inspect your drive belt at any time. If it looks frayed, cracked, loosened, or slipped out of position, have a new one installed at your local dealership. Fortunately, drive belts are relatively inexpensive car parts to replace.

Your VW Dealer Recommends a New Belt

During your routine servicing visits at your local dealership, the experienced technicians there will check your dive belt. If the belt is showing signs of excessive wear and tear, they’ll draw it to your attention and install a new one before you experience belt failure. Have your worn-out drive belt replaced with a new one today at Valley Auto World Volkswagen. Our state-of-the-art dealership provides an excellent array of new and pre-owned VW vehicles and top-notch maintenance and repair services.