Serpentine belt replacement is usually a straightforward and relatively affordable service that costs $100 to $200. However, if other parts have worn alongside the serpentine belt — or have been damaged by it — you could pay a bigger bill for more fixes.
Here’s a look at how much a serpentine belt replacement costs, what influences that cost, when to replace your belt and how to save money on the job.
Factors that influence serpentine drive belt replacement cost
The cost to replace a serpentine drive belt can vary by vehicle type and whether a professional does the work. Knowing what affects the cost — and by how much — can help you determine if you’re paying a good price for the service.
Vehicle type
The parts cost for a serpentine belt are about $30 to $150, but the rest of your price will be your mechanic’s labor. If you have a specialty vehicle or modern car, accessing and changing the serpentine belt may be more difficult than on an older car or vehicle with a simple engine layout.
Who completes repairs
If you’re willing to put in the elbow grease and have the right tools, you may be able to swap out a serpentine belt on your own, which will save you money on a mechanic’s labor.
If you need to take your car in to get the belt replaced, however, you’ll pay for about an hour of labor plus a possible premium on parts. Expect to pay more at a dealership than a local or chain repair shop.
Other repairs needed
Replacing a serpentine belt is a relatively straightforward repair if the belt is simply worn or damaged. However, if your serpentine belt has snapped, there may be other damage present that will add to the bill.
Some modern vehicles also have an automatic tensioner, which adjusts the tightness of your serpentine belt as it loosens over time. This spring-loaded tensioner should also be replaced when you replace your serpentine belt, which may add anywhere from $125 to $400 to your overall cost.
What is serpentine drive belt replacement?
Sometimes called a drive belt or fan belt, your vehicle’s serpentine belt is a continuous-looped rubber belt that snakes through your engine, hence the name.
It is powered by the engine’s crankshaft and wraps around various pulleys, spinning them and providing necessary power to important vehicle parts and systems — like the alternator, power steering pump and air conditioning unit — to keep the engine running.
Over time, the continuous tension and movement of this belt can cause it to stretch, crack or snap. This can cause your vehicle to stall or overheat, and can create problems with those other systems that may cost you more money in the long run.
If you suspect your serpentine belt is damaged, misaligned or failing, it’s important to visit a mechanic to get it checked and repaired.
Your mechanic may also recommend replacing your serpentine belt if you have other major repairs done, like replacing an alternator.
While not as advanced as a transmission replacement or drive shaft repair, serpentine drive belt replacement isn’t exactly a beginner-level car repair. It also requires a bit of muscle, so you may want to leave this one to the professionals unless you’re pretty confident under the hood.
How often should you get your serpentine drive belt replaced?
Your vehicle’s serpentine belt typically lasts somewhere between 50,000 and 100,000 miles, but your driving habits and environmental conditions can be a factor in the belt’s longevity.
You may need a serpentine drive belt replacement if you notice these warning signs:
- Squeaking or squealing noises while driving or idling.
- Visible damage to the belt, such as fraying, cracking, shiny edges or tearing.
- A sluggish alternator or air-conditioning system.
- Power steering that’s slow to respond.
- Overheating.
How to save on serpentine belt replacement
Whether you suspect your serpentine belt is getting worn or it snapped and left you stranded on the side of the road, there are a few things you can do to save on replacement costs.
Get multiple estimates
Call at least a few shops in the area to get pricing information before you choose a mechanic. Dealerships typically charge more for labor and parts than small independent shops, though this depends on where you live and the repair shops in your area.
Ask about deals
Many shops put coupons online, in local papers and send them in the mail, which could save you money on a serpentine belt replacement or other service. If you’re active duty military or a teacher, healthcare worker or first responder, you can also ask about affiliation discounts.
FAQs
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Is a serpentine belt the same as a timing belt?
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Can I repair a serpentine belt instead of replacing it?
Stephanie Colestock is a seasoned writer specializing in personal finance. With over 14 years of experience, she crafts insightful and accessible content on a wide range of financial topics, including insurance, credit and debt management, banking, investing, retirement planning, and household finances.
Her bylines appear in top-tier publications such as TIME, Fortune, MSN, Forbes, USA Today, Money, Fox Business, and CBS. Stephanie’s deep understanding of complex financial concepts and her ability to communicate them clearly have made her a trusted voice in the industry.
When she’s not writing, Stephanie enjoys helping individuals make smarter financial decisions through her engaging and well-researched articles.
Annie is a writer and editor at Jerry with more than a decade of experience writing and editing digital content. Before joining Jerry, she was an assistant assigning editor at NerdWallet. Her past work has appeared in the Associated Press, USA Today and The Washington Post. Her work has been cited by NorthWestern University and Harvard Kennedy School. Annie served as a spokesperson for NerdWallet during her time at NerdWallet and has been featured in New York Magazine, MarketWatch and on local television and radio stations.
Previously, she worked at USAA and newspapers in Minnesota, North Dakota, California and Texas. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota.
Phil grew up fixing lawn mowers, motorcycles and cars. He began his journalism career as a night police reporter in Chicago and Denver. Moving to Los Angeles, Phil ghost-wrote several how-to books about car buying. He then was hired by the consumer automotive site Edmunds.com where he worked as an “undercover” car salesman. This led to a series of articles called “Confessions of a Car Salesman.” Additionally, he wrote DIY articles about car maintenance and repair and took high-performance driving lessons on race tracks in Nevada and California. Later, he wrote a syndicated automotive column for Nerdwallet. He recently he authored the book Electric Cars: How to Get Rolling Today. For Jerry he will use his experience to help car owners make smart decisions about driving, repairing and maintaining their vehicles. Phil lives in Long Beach, Calif., and still enjoys turning wrenches and helping his son change the oil in his 2016 Mazda3.
