It’s a sound every driver dreads: a loud, high-pitched squeal from the engine bay, especially on a cold start or during hard acceleration. This embarrassing noise is almost always caused by a slipping accessory belt, often because it has become "glazed."
For Singaporean drivers in Malaysia, understanding what this noise means is key to preventative maintenance. This guide explains how to assess your belt's condition and the importance of proper tension. If your car is making a racket, MyMechanic can help diagnose the issue.
Your car's accessory belt (or serpentine belt) is made of a durable, flexible rubber compound. When new, the side with the ribs has a pliable, matte texture that provides excellent grip on the engine's pulleys.
Over thousands of kilometers of exposure to heat and friction, this rubber hardens. It develops a smooth, shiny, and hardened surface, much like a glaze on pottery. This smooth surface can no longer effectively grip the pulleys, especially under high load (like when the A/C compressor kicks on) or when wet. This slippage is what causes the high-pitched squeal.
You can often spot a worn or glazed belt with a simple visual inspection. Make sure the engine is off before you inspect the belt.
A belt can be in perfect condition, but if it isn't held tightly against the pulleys, it will slip. This is where belt tension comes in.
A technician can quickly assess the tensioner's health. A weak tensioner should always be replaced along with a new belt.
A squealing belt is a sign that your car needs attention. For Singaporean drivers in Malaysia, MyMechanic offers on-site inspections to diagnose belt and tensioner issues. We can determine if you need a simple adjustment or a new belt and tensioner, solving the problem correctly.
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A squealing belt is your car’s way of telling you it needs attention. By learning to spot the signs of a glazed, cracked, or contaminated belt, you can address the problem before it leaves you stranded. For Singaporean drivers in Malaysia, this simple inspection is a great piece of preventative maintenance. When the noise starts, trust a professional service like MyMechanic to identify the true cause—be it the belt, the tensioner, or both—and recommend the correct fix.
