Starting your day having a hard time starting your car is far from good. It’s even worse when you fear your car has engine issues, like a failing car belt. In this article, we’ll talk about the five most common signs you’ll experience when it’s time to replace your engine belt at the nearest VW dealership.
5 Signs to Keep an Eye Out for When it’s Time to Replace a Car Engine Belt on Your Volkswagen
1. You Have a Hard Time Starting Your Car
A worn-out engine belt will give you nothing but trouble right from the start. There are countless reasons why a poor belt will become troublesome, like forcing cylinders to misfire. When that happens, the ignition time takes longer than usual, and so will your waiting time until your car gets going.
2. You Lose Voltage When You’re Driving Around
Sometimes, your engine belt will start to lose tension while you drive. There are two possible scenarios at that point: the belt will either slip or drop while the engine is running. You don’t want either of these things to happen because they can lead to problems with your car pistons and possible engine failure.
3. You Hear Strange Noises Coming From Your Car Belt
Awful noises coming from your car can mean one of two things: your kids are playing with the radio again, or your engine belt is making screeching noises. If the latter is true, you may have a worn-out belt or water on the belt. Either one means it’s time for an inspection. A worn-out belt causes engine issues, and water can damage your belt.
4. You Feel the Hood of Your Car Is Warmer Than Usual
Your engine will work unusually hard when its belt is close to breaking. The engine belt has everything under your hood running smoothly, and everything gets out of sync when the belt fails. That will cause a temperature rise as your engine overcompensates for the failing parts. You should never ignore high-temperature readings coming from your car.
5. You See Black Smoke, So It’s Time to Visit a VW Dealer
When you drive around with a stretched-out engine belt, you damage your catalytic converter, among other things. A damaged catalytic converter will not burn fuel as it’s supposed to, and you’ll likely end up with black smoke coming from your exhaust pipe. That scenario is terrible for you, your car engine, and the environment, so it’s always a good idea to sort it out!
Are you having a hard time with your engine? Schedule an appointment with us at DARCARS Volkswagen, and we’ll sort out every situation you face with your vehicle. When we finish, you’ll drive what feels like a brand-new car.


