Best Serpentine Belts (Review & Buying Guide) in 2023

Secure your engine's functionality for a long time with our top picks for the best serpentine belts

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The serpentine belt is located in the engine and is responsible for carrying power to critical components of your vehicle, including the air pump, power steering pump, alternator, and other important parts. The serpentine belt ensures that there's harmony between all components under the hood, and if it breaks down, it could lead to total engine failure. Lucky enough, there are aftermarket serpentine belt replacements that can get your engine back to operating at its optimal level. Here's a look at some of the best serpentine belt replacements.

ACDelco 6K930

Bando 6PK1305

Gates K081264HD

From its inception in 1916, ACDelco has been known to make some of the best aftermarket replacement parts for the automotive industry. Also, all ACDelco products meet and exceed user-safety standards. ACDelco is a subsidiary company of General Motors, and it's headquartered in Grand Blanc, Michigan. One of ACDelco's best quality serpentine belts is the ACDelco 6K930.

Dayco specializes in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of engine components and drives systems for the automotive, construction, and agriculture industries. Dayco engine belts are often available in kits full of other accessories, and it also manufactures pulley systems to accompany the belts. One of Dayco's quietest serpentine belts is the Dayco 5060840 Serpentine Belt.

Continental is one of the best serpentine belts manufacturers in the industry. It's a German automotive manufacturing company that also makes interior electronics, brake systems, and tires among other products. The company has more than 140 years in the industry, and throughout the years, its products have managed to attain high-efficiency standards. A good example of such a high-efficiency Continental product is the Continental OE Technology Series 4060740.

With over 100 years of experience, Bando maintains its excellence in manufacturing and distributing OEM products in the United States. Bando products are used as OEM replacements in 80 percent of the top cars in the industry and are also capable of providing improvements to professional racing cars. One of its affordable car belts is the Bando 6PK1305.

The model number on your factory serpentine belt will help you get the best aftermarket size. If the previous belt is too worn out to show any model number, take it out and measure the length. Then select an aftermarket piece that's one size smaller to get the best fit. Alternatively, your car owner's manual (if you still have it) will give you the correct size for the serpentine belt.

Neoprene used to be the standard material for constructing serpentine belts, but the belts often ended up being shiny and developed cracks with time. Most manufacturers have currently changed to Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer(EPDM), which is more resistant to wear and heat and is longer-lasting than Neoprene.

The construction of the serpentine belt should be strong enough to withstand heat and rough conditions that often lead to wear. The average lifespan for the belt is 60,000 miles, but you can find some units from high-end brands that push to 100,000 miles.

Best Overall

The ACDelco 6K930 is one of the most durable serpentine belts on the market. This is thanks to its tough construction, featuring EPDM rubber, which is dependable, crack-resistant, and lasts 60 percent longer than most retail belts. The belt also has a flexible construction that can withstand uncountable top and backside bends without losing its tenacity. The model won't wear out when running on a high-temperature engine.

The belt fits a wide variety of vehicle makes and models, and it accepts misalignment way better than most belts, meaning that the belt guarantees the safe running of your vehicle, even when it stretches out or doesn't fit perfectly on the pulley system. The belt's ribs transmit power loads efficiently throughout the belt drive systems and ensure that the vehicle's components are performing at their optimal capacity.

However, the belt has a narrow top-width that may make the installation process a bit difficult. It's also not compatible with some trucks. Compatibility is always an issue with serpentine belts, but that may not be such a huge problem for brand engines like Toyota, Nissan, Honda, GM, and VW.

Best Value

The Bando 6PK1305 is an OEM-quality belt with ground rubber ribs ideal for increasing its lifespan. The belt has six ribs, each measuring 84.1 inches, to make an OEM-specific rib profile. It features high-quality ground rubber ribs that are made from strong synthetic rubber, and it's both heat- and crack-resistant. The belt has strong tensile cords that can withstand high-horsepower loads without losing its tenacity.

You will appreciate the fact that you can install the belt easily, even without using the installation service package offered by Bando. Replacing the belt is also easy, but its smooth performance will give you the sense of your original belt. This Bando model offers a noise-free ride and is a reliable and affordable product.

The downside of this Bando model is that the belt doesn't have teeth. To add on to that, it also feels light, and that might be one of the first problems you’ll experience with the belt when the engine's pulley system slips. It's also not compatible with all automobiles, especially older vehicles that don't have an AC system.

Premium Pick

The Gates serpentine belt is a heavy-duty belt with praiseworthy quality and resistance. It's resistant to heat and cracks, and it's thicker than most OEM belts. The belt is made of high-profile materials that meet OEM standards. It also has a large load capacity and can perform the roughest applications with utmost precision and efficiency. The belt takes a V-groove design and operates quietly.

The belt is 1.08 inches wide and 20 inches long. It's also easy to install for anyone who's handy with tools; all you need is a one-kit torque wrench to mount it on the pulley system. Gates also provides an instruction guide to help you when installing the belt. Its heavy-duty construction is suitable for SUVs, trucks, and other tough-application vehicles.

The downside of this product is that the heavy-duty construction comes with a higher price tag than other standard belts. It offers a noise-free ride in standard conditions but may start to get squeaky or vibrate once some snow gets on it. You may also need help installing it due to the thick size if you are concerned about getting the right tension from the automatic belt tensioner.

Strongest

Bando is an award-winning brand recognized by major automotive manufacturers such as Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and many others. Here, we have its serpentine belt with four 74.5-inch ribs. It's a quality product built to last and ensure excellent engine performance.

The belt is super strong and able to carry high horsepower loads without stretching. The ribs are made from an EPDM synthetic rubber that is wear- and tear-resistant. The material is incredibly durable and more heat-resistant than other types of rubber. Overall, the belt is of excellent quality and will last for a while. It fits as good as the original and is easy to mount.

The main issue with this serpentine belt might be the size. It seems that the provided chart is not very accurate, so make sure to double-check the OEM number. Also, the size of the belt might be the reason why some buyers experienced squealing during rides.

Honorable Mention

If you're looking for a quality belt to replace the old one on your vehicle, check out this ACDelco serpentine belt. It's a heavy-duty item that allows for the engine to work perfectly and provides a long lifespan. With it, you'll be able to drive for thousands of miles without any issues whatsoever.

This V-ribbed serpentine belt is made with the help of new technology that ensures excellent performance and durability. The item is strong, wear-resistant, and able to withstand high horsepower. You won't hear any noise or experience the belt stretching or loosening up. Furthermore, the belt is easy to install and fits perfectly on all kinds of vehicles. It extends 37.89 inches in length and 0.56 inches in width and has four ribs.

However, keep in mind that the belt might be a little pricey for those who are looking for an inexpensive alternative. You'll have to pay a few more bucks to get it. Another issue you might have with the item regards the shipping. It takes quite some time for the item to arrive, so you'll have to be patient.

Honorable Mention

This is a multi-V serpentine belt with six ribs. It measures 85.5 inches and features a straight-ribbed construction for ultimate performance. You can mount the belt on different vehicle types and enjoy safe and quiet rides.

The serpentine belt ensures excellent vehicle performance and impressive durability. Thanks to the unique technology, the item is made to fit tightly and match the OE-style belt. It's even tested by professionals for ultimate safety on the road.

All in all, the belt is well-made, sturdy, and shear-resistant. You'll definitely use it for a long time without hearing squeaks or any other noises during your rides. The installation is fairly easy too.

You could get the wrong belt size, though. The provided chart is not very accurate, so you might want to double-check the size before the purchase. Also, the belt might lose one of its ribs after some time. Although it's not a big issue, it might cause the belt to slip off in some situations.

Honorable Mention

Here is another ACDelco belt that proves to be ideal for replacing old, worn-out belts found on different vehicle models. This one is made from quality and durable materials and ensures excellent performance during every ride. It also mounts in a breeze, so you can easily perform the installation on your own.

The belt features an EPDM rubber that is both temperature- and crack-resistant. Therefore, the item ensures quiet rides and proves to be very durable. That's why the ACDelco belt is one of the first choices among professional technicians. With the lifespan up to 60 percent longer than retail belts, it proves to be an excellent choice for all kinds of vehicles. You'll also be pleased to know that the unique rib design allows for the engine components to operate at optimum levels.

You might have a problem finding the belt in a proper size, though. Several buyers complained about getting belts too big or too small for their vehicles. Therefore, you might want to compare the size of the ACDelco belt with the old one on your vehicle, and only then order the product in a particular size.

Honorable Mention

Dayco offers a quality belt that is 87.79 inches long, 0.82 inches wide, and 0.17 inches thick. It has six ribs and proves to be super reliable and safe. With it, you'll ensure excellent engine performance and completely quiet rides.

The belt is made from EPDM rubber, which means it's extremely durable. It can withstand high horsepower and ensure your engine parts run smoothly. Also, the belt is easy to install. It takes about 10 minutes for DIYers to replace the old belt with this high-quality Dayco belt. Once installed, the item will work without any issues for a long time.

However, keep in mind that the belt is quite thick and, therefore, it might not fit all vehicle models. Although there is a chart you can use to find the proper belt, you might want to compare its size with the old belt that's been on your vehicle. Some buyers even noticed that the belt is too long and loose on their vehicles.

Honorable Mention

If you're searching for a reliable and highly efficient serpentine belt, you might want to take a look at this one from Motorcraft. It's a well-made and durable item that allows for the engine parts to run smoothly and quietly. Because of the polyester cords used for the construction, the belt provides excellent performance and prevents slippage.

The best thing about this belt is the fact it features premium materials. The rubber is not only strong and able to withstand high horsepower, but it's also resistant to stretching, too. It resists wear, tears, and deterioration caused by various factors, including temperature, oil, and dirt. Overall, the belt is very durable and you'll use it for quite some time. You'll even get a limited lifetime warranty.

The belt might cause a couple of issues, though. Some buyers did hear squeaking at high speeds. It's not a common issue, but might happen on some vehicle models. Also, it seems that the belt might lose a rib or two, as the ribs tend to wear off due to heavy abuse.

A: Most serpentine belts last between 50,000 and 100,000 miles, depending on the quality of the brand and your driving habits. The more you are on the road, the more the belt gets exposed to wear from friction, and that shortens its lifespan. However, with the advancements in rubber technology, some belts can be manually serviced by increasing the tension on the pulley. That increases the belt's lifespan as long as it doesn't snap.

A: The belt will give off some tell-tale signs that it's starting to wear out. You may notice some quelling or chirping noises every time you run the engine. That could be an indication that the belt is slipping from its pulley due to stretching out. Other signs may include cracks, missing chunks, power steering or air conditioning failure, and finally, your car may break down while you’re driving.

A: That won't be necessary. It might seem like the best solution to have two belts running select accessories, but that was only a trend with older vehicles. With the new and improved serpentine belt, a single belt can handle running all the engine components and delivering power to individual parts.

A: It depends on the extent of the damage. If the belt breaks, then your car will break down. Your power steering and air conditioning will also fail. That could be risky if it happens when you are on the road. However, you can lubricate the belt if it hasn't snapped and replace it within three days.

We went for the ACDelco 6K930 as our top pick due to its durability and ability to accept misalignment, a rare feature with most engine belts.

Our best value product is the Bando 6PK1305 because it's affordable and one of the best serpentine belts on the market today.

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, "wisdom of the crowd" assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.