Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

Could you tell me how to stop a squeaky belt?

Every morning when I start up the car, I’m hearing this awful jittery squealing noise that lasts for a block or two before it finally shuts up. Is it a belt? And if so, could you explain how to stop a squeaky belt?

avatar
Matt Terzi · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
We’re sorry you’re experiencing these frustrating squeals. As you suspected, this is most likely a belt issue, specifically your car’s serpentine belt.
Your serpentine belt is usually squeaky due to moisture getting caught in its grooves, causing it to slip. And this is easy enough to remedy using WD-40.
Park on a flat surface, engage the emergency brake, pop and prop the hood, and listen to the squealing from a safe distance while looking at the belt itself. You can usually spot the problem area on the belt, as it’ll squeak as it passes over the cog. It’s also a good idea to make sure all of the pulleys are moving and there isn’t a bigger issue at hand.
A short, quick burst of WD-40 on the belt’s grooves should take care of it. Be careful not to use too much WD-40 though, as that can cause the belt to slip even worse.
If you do need to replace the serpentine belt, don’t worry: they’re pretty cheap, usually ranging from $10 to $50. The labor itself should cost $100 to $200 depending on the mechanic and the car.
Speaking of saving money, let’s offset some or all of those serpentine belt repair costs by getting you cheaper
car insurance
using America’s #1 top-rated app for policy shopping,
Jerry
!
Jerry is a
fully licensed insurance broker
that can find you incredible quotes in just 45 seconds, all from America’s top insurance providers. Millions of drivers are saving an average of more than $800 per year using Jerry. Try it today!
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings