One of the essential components that remain under the hood of a vehicle is a serpentine belt. They play a significant role in transferring energy from one critical part of the to another. Without it, most of the vital components, such as the air conditioner, alternator, and the steering pump, would not function optimally.
And, just like most of the car parts, these also have a particular lifespan where the functions optimally. After that, the performance degrades, and you would need to get yourself a replacement.
Well, sorting out the best serpentine belts is not an easy task. But as you have found us, you will not have to worry about a thing. We are going to make things much easier for you that you will be able to choose one by yourself at the end of this article.
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11 Best Serpentine Belts Review
The market is full of options in the case of serpentine belts. Not all of them will be worth your time and your money. For that reason, we went through the most popular ones and picked only the ones that seemed worthy to us. Take a look at the list that we huddled for you.
1. Bando USA 6PK2135 OEM Quality
When it comes to consistency, hardly any manufacturers will be able to match with Bando. They have been around for over five decades and are offering reliable belts to the market. This one is one of them.
The unit comes integrated with the “Run Quiet” proprietary technology. This technology does not only make it achieve a lower operational noise but also allows it to have a better overall grip over the components. That means there will be a minimal amount of slipping occurring while the belt is operating.
Alongside that, the unit can handle heavy loads without any issues at all. Because of the high tensile cords that it features, it will be able to transport comparatively high horsepower loads from one gear to another without showing any signs of stretching.
You are going to get excellent performance from the components that you are planning to install this on.
As the ground rubber ribs are of synthetic rubber that is of high strength, you will be able to expect an extended lifespan out of these. This compound has a long lifespan and is resistant to wears and tears. Because of that, your components will function optimally for an extended amount of time.
The 84.1 inches 6 ribs design will make it compatible for most of the automotive models that are out there. You will not have to worry about the compatibility that much too.
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2. Continental OE Technology Series 4060740 6-Rib, 74.0 inches
Getting belts that have a quiet operation noise is not that hard now because of manufacturers such as Continental in the market. This one from them is one of the quietest ones that are available out there.
Just like most of the high-end manufacturers, Continental also integrated a proprietary technology in this belt. It comes with a quite channel technology that will not only offer a quieter overall operational noise but also will enhance the overall efficiency substantially.
That means you are not only signing up for a high-performance belt but also a quieter one.
Alongside that, this quiet technology also makes the belt extremely flexible. With that, it will be able to run considerably cooler, and the heat will not rise that much in prolonged sessions. This low-temperature operation will result in an extended lifespan and higher overall efficiency.
While most of the units out there suffer from pulley misalignment, this one does not. It has a staggered-cog profile that is combined with advanced rubber materials that will virtually eliminate most of the misalignment noise that occurs during operation.
Because of the high tension ribs that it comes with, it will be able to offer a substantial amount of wear resistance. With that, it will be able to function optimally for an extended amount of time without showing any signs of degradation in the overall performance. Your components will function optimally for a long while.
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3. ACDelco 4K378 Professional
Offering high-quality vehicle components has always been one of the main goals of ACDelco. And, they managed to deliver exactly that with this one.
While most of the units that are out there are prone to cracking over time, this one will show no signs of it. It comes with the construction of high-quality EPDM rubber, which is known to last for an extended amount of time.
That means you can expect the components that you install this on to operate optimally for a good amount of time.
To enhance the overall lifespan even further, it comes with a low-temperature operation. That means it will be able to carry off heavy loads without heating up that much. This low-temperature operational nature will not only enhance the overall lifespan but also will lower the operational noise substantially.
As it comes with a unique rib profile, it will be able to offer a precise dimension control. Because of that, the load efficiency will improve substantially. Alongside that, the ABDS system that the unit features will allow the components to operate optimally even when the load is exceptionally high.
Compared to other units that are out there, this one can accept and operate efficiently even when the alignment of the components is crooked. That means you will not have to worry about performance degradation that much.
The flexible body that it comes with will let it withstand a large amount of backside and topside bends, which will increase the lifespan even further.
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4. Gates K060841 Serpentine Belt
Are you rocking a light-duty, small vehicle? Want something that is specifically for your four-wheeler? Then you should have a look into this one that is from Gates.
To begin with, on both sides, it comes with V-shaped ribs. Because of the implementation of this design, it is one of the versatile units that are out there. That means it will adapt to different types of car peripherals. Because of this, you will not have to worry about the compatibility that much.
Just like most of the units, this one also operates at a minimal level of operational noise. The V-shaped ribs efficiently cancel out the occasional noise that might occur during transferring load from one gear to another. You will not have to face the squeaky sound that most of the low-grade units emit during operation.
As it is of high-quality rubber, the unit is extremely flexible. Because of this, you will be able to install this in your car components without any issues at all. This rubber is also extremely durable, which means you will not have to worry about casual wear and tear over the time that you are going to use it.
Alongside that, it can resist heat too. It can operate at a low-temperature even in a prolonged running session. This low-temperature operation will increase the overall lifespan even further. Other than that, it can also withstand high-load exceptionally well.
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5. MOCA 6PK2225 Quality Serpentine Belt
Not all the units that you are going to stumble upon in your search for the best serpentine belt tool will have an SAE certification. However, this one that MOCA is offering does have that.
Just like we stated, the unit has gone through SAE tests. It did not only meet the overall specifications of the tests but also exceeded them with flyings colors. From this alone, you can understand why there is a ‘Quality’ in the label of the unit. It is indeed one of the high-quality ones that are out there.
Besides that, the overall construction is also up to par with the rest of the high-performance units. It is of heavy-duty EPDM rubber that is has a high tension rate. That means it will last for an extended amount of time, even if it is put through high load all the time.
Talking about the high load, the ribs that the unit comes with has precision dimension control. Because of that, it will be able to transfer the load efficiently throughout the ABDS system of the belt.
That means even under a high load, the performance of the components will not degrade even one bit. These ribs will also extend the lifespan even further.
Other than that, because of the EPDM rubber construction, it will also output a lower amount of noise while operating. You will not have to worry about the annoying squeals when you start your vehicle.
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6. Continental OE Technology Series 4060882 6-Rib
Among all the manufacturers that are offering belts in the market, Continental is one of them that has an extensive lineup of reliable units. And this one is no exception.
With the consultation of most of the professional technicians, the manufacturer implemented a straight ribbed design in this unit. This ribbed body does not only make it easier for you to install them on the components of your car but also will extend the durability of the unit.
On the not of the durability, as it comes featured with a high-quality rubber compound, you can expect it to last for an extended amount of time.
Alongside that, this construction material will also aid in reducing the overall operational noise of the unit. You will be able to enjoy a smooth and quieter ride with this under the hood.
Just like most of the high-quality belts that are available, this one also went through the SAE test. It met all the specifications, which makes it sit comfortably on the top of the quality belts list. Because of this, you can expect it to function optimally for a long while.
Talking about functioning optimally for a good amount of time, it also can withstand high-loads efficiently. That means you will not face performance degradation when the overall load is comparatively high. It will transmit the load efficiently. This feature will also enhance the lifespan of the unit even further.
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7. ACDelco 6K930 Professional
We have already introduced you to one of the high-quality units that ACDelco offers in the beginning. This one is yet another reliable one that they have brought out in the market.
First of all, the unit features a construction that is resistant to cracking. No matter how heavy the load might be, it will not crack easily. Because of this crack-resistant design, you can expect it to last for an extended amount of time without showing any signs of wear and tear on the body.
To ensure a quieter overall operation, it comes along with an EPDM rubber body that is quite resistant to high temperature.
It will operate at a considerably lower temperature, and because of that, it will output a minimal amount of operational noise. You will not have to worry about the disturbing squeaking sounds that most of the units make.
Because of the ribbed design that the unit features, it will be able to offer a get a good grip of the components that you are going to install this on. With that, it will be able to transmit the overall load to the entire body efficiently.
This efficient transmission of the load will ensure an optimal performance level, even in a prolonged runtime session.
It can adapt quite well with the typical misalignment of components that occurs from time to time. Because of that, it will be able to offer you a consistent overall performance throughout its lifespan.
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8. Dayco 5060840 Serpentine Belt
You might stumble upon a plethora of belts in the market, but not all of them will be able to offer you as much efficiency as this one from Dayco will.
Let us talk about the thing that separates it from most of the units first. Just like most of the belts that are out there, this one also utilizes a poly-V technology. However, this one is a little different.
It comes with precise poly-V ribs that will make sure that the load is transferred efficiently to the entire body. Because of this, you will be able to get a consistent overall performance.
Other than that, it can handle misalignments exceptionally well. The V-ribs play a significant role in this case too. These ribs will make sure that the body has the right amount of grip on the surface of the component, which will eventually ensure that it functions optimally.
As the unit comes with a high-quality EPDM rubber, it will be able to lower the operational noise to a great extent. Alongside that, it can also withstand high-loads exceptionally well. You can expect it to offer you a consistent, comfortable, and noise-free riding experience.
Lastly, the unit is resistant to heat too. That means it will operate at a considerably lower temperature even when it is under heavy load. This feature will make sure that the unit functions optimally for an extended amount of time.
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9. Motorcraft JK6982D Serpentine Belt
One of the problems that most of the blets have is stretching. This stretching degrades the overall performance, and as a result, the component tends not to operate optimally. However, you will not have to worry about that if you get this one that Motorcraft is offering.
To start with, it features a high-quality polyester cord construction. These cords do not only make the unit extremely durable but also makes it suitable for using it for most of the heavy-duty car components. You will be able to use it for engine parts as well.
Alongside that, the polyester cords will make sure that it has enough grip with the component. Because of that, it will be able to offer a consistent overall performance throughout its lifespan. It will also be able to deal with misalignment that occurs from time to time.
As we have mentioned above, the unit can hold its integrity. It comes packed with a high-tensile technology that makes it retain its shape for an extended amount of time. With that, it will not stretch over time, and you will not have to worry about sudden degradation of performance because of the stretching.
Just like most of the available belts, this one also features a V-shaped rib design. Because of that, it will be able to operate at considerably lower noise. You will not have to deal with the squeaky noise that most of the units make when the engine is ignited.
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10. Bando 7PK1781 OEM
Well, you are not going to hear this for every manufacturer, but Bando has won awards for being one of the reliable manufacturers of car components. And, the award-winning characteristics show on the units that they offer. This one can be a prime example of that.
Unlike most of the units, this one comes with seven ribs on the body instead of six. Because of this, it has a superior gripping power that will hold onto the surface of the components firmly. That means you will not have to worry about the unit slipping out of place or having misalignment issues.
The tensile cords that the unit features are quite sturdy. These cors will be able to transfer heavy horsepower loads without showing any signs of stretching. That means it will not lose its body integrity overtime. You can expect a consistent overall performance from this.
As the rubber ribs are of a synthetic rubber compound that is hugely flexible, it will be able to resist wear and occasional tears that might occur during heavy loads. Because of that, it will be able to last for an extended amount of time.
Alongside that, it can resist heat exceptionally well too. Even in heavy load, the temperature will be bear minimum. This low-temperature operation will extend the overall lifespan even further and will ensure that the performance does not degrade that much under heavy load.
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11. Gates K081264HD Serpentine Belt
We are going to put an end to our best serpentine belt reviews with this one that is from Gates. If you were in the lookout for a unit that will ensure maximum overall performance in harsh conditions, then you should put this one into your consideration list.
To begin with, it comes with poly-V technology, just like most of the units that are out there. While this technology is widely popular for offering excellent overall performance, it can also lower the squealing noise substantially. Because of being integrated with that, this unit will be able to operate at a much lower operation noise.
Other than that, the unit features V-ribs on the body. These ribs can grab onto the surface of the components firmly.
That means you will not have to worry about misalignments that much. It will offer a consistent overall performance throughout its lifespan.
Talking about the lifespan, it comes featured with a K081264 rubber construction, which is of high-quality. This rubber can resist wears exceptionally well. Because of that, you can expect it to last for an extended amount of time.
Aside from that, the high-strength rubber will also make sure that the unit can retain its shape throughout its lifespan. With that, you are going to sign yourself for enjoying a consistent overall performance.
Lastly, it is resistant to high temperatures as well. Because of that, the operational temperature is considerably low. This low-temperature operation will also play a part in extending the overall lifespan of the unit.
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What to Look for Before You Buy?
We know that you are pretty pumped up about getting a new belt for your car. But before you decide to invest money in one of them, there are some factors that you have to keep in mind. These will allow you to scrutinize the units efficiently. They are:
Compatibility
The first thing that you should consider before settling hard on a unit is the compatibility. Not all of the belts will be long enough to accommodate the components of all the cars.
That is why you should check the overall dimensions first. We would recommend you to compare the length and the width with the one that you have installed in your car.
Ribs
After checking on the compatibility, you should factor in the ribs of the unit. The higher the count, the better they will be able to hold onto the components.
With a belt that comes with decent ribs, you will not have to worry about misalignment issues. It will be able to firmly grab the part and work optimally throughout its entire lifespan.
Material
The quality of the material plays a significant role in the overall lifespan of the units. If the overall construction of the one that you are shooting for is not of good quality rubber, it will not be able to last for an extended amount of time.
Alongside that, it will also not be able to withstand heavy load. We would recommend you to go for the ones that come with a high-quality rubber construction, for example, the ones that are of EPDM rubber.
Wear Resistivity
While most of the units that you are going to find in the market will be resistant to wears, some might not be. Those will tend to develop cracks on the body over time. That means you will not be able to get a prolonged use out of them without having to face performance degradation.
Heat Resistivity
Other than that, you should also consider if the unit can resist heat or not. The ones that operate at a much lower temperature will be more efficient than the ones that can not resist heat. That is why you should opt for the ones that are resistant to heat.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the materials that are mainly used for manufacturing serpentine belts?
Most of the belts will be of an EPDM rubber. However, manufacturers also tend to use synthetic rubber and ethylene propylene for manufacturing these. According to us, EPDM rubber is the best among all the materials.
2. How will I know when I should change the belt?
Some obvious signs will let you know that you will have to change the serpentine belt of your car. One of them is a sudden squealing sound when you start the car, stop the car, or while you are driving it. Another would be, the components will stop working optimally. And lastly, if you see that your belt has worn out.
3. How often should get serpentine belts replaced?
Depending on the component that you are using it for, it should be replaced after like 60 thousand miles.
4. What problems will I face if I use a worn-out belt?
Well, first of all, you are not going to get optimal performance out of the components. Then you might also face annoying squealing sound from time to time. Lastly, the components might stop working suddenly.
5. Are the belts that are flexible any good?
Flexible belts are easy to set up. Alongside that, because of the flexible character, you will be able to install them in most of the vehicles without any issues. We would even recommend you to opt for these ones if you are not sure about the compatibility.
6. Will antifreeze damage the serpentine belts?
Leakage of antifreeze and oil might not damage the belts, but they can cause them to slip. If they start to slip out of place, you are not going to get optimal performance out of the component that you installed them on. So it would be better to clean them if they get in contact with antifreeze and oil.
7. Can I apply WD 40 on a squeaking belt?
It might temporarily stop the belt from producing the squeaking sound. But we would recommend no to use oil-based sprays on rubber materials as they might cause them to slip.
Final Words
Opting for one of the best serpentine belts will not only make your components function optimally for an extended amount of time but also will make them operate at lower noise.
And, we hope that we were able to make the choosing process much easier for you. With that, we would like to conclude here by wishing you good luck and hoping that you get consistent performance from your components.
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