What's in the Accessory Strap Kit?
Content
The accessory belt for your car is play very important to your vehicle as it is responsible for supplying electricity to various accessories in your engine and in particular to the alternator. We often talk about the accessory belt set, in this article we will tell you all about the composition of the accessory belt set, its price and how it works!
🚗 What is an accessory strap?
Your vehicle's accessory belt is a rubber band that connects the damper pulley and pulleys of other engine accessories such as the water pump, alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioning compressor.
Accessory pulleys and belt tensioners distribute the energy required to operate these various components. An accessory belt is also commonly referred to as an alternator belt because its primary role is to supply power to the alternator, which will then charge your vehicle's battery.
?? How do I know if I need to change the accessory strap?
The accessory belt is part of the wearing parts, which means it needs to be changed after a certain time, it is not designed for the life of your vehicle.
Typically, you will need to replace the accessory belt kit every 100–000 km. We advise you to always refer to the manufacturer's recommendations to know when to check or replace the belt.
If you do not follow these instructions, you risk losing the next technical control. However, certain signs should alert you if you spot them before the deadline stated in your vehicle manufacturer's manual.
Here is a list of the most common symptoms that tell you when to change your accessory belt kit:
Check # 1: Find out if your accessory belt is damaged
- You hear creaks and feel vibration as you drive
- You have trouble starting, often due to low battery levels
- Your air conditioner is no longer cold enough
- You notice abnormal overheating of the engine
- Your steering wheel is heavier than usual
If you notice any of these symptoms, we recommend that you head to the garage as soon as possible, because your accessory belt kit probably needs to be replaced. If you don't figure it out quickly, your accessory drive belt could break, preventing your vehicle from starting at all, and you could seriously damage your timing belt.
Check # 2: Know if your accessory strap is HS
If your accessory strap is completely torn, you will notice certain signs that don't lie:
- You hear a very loud clicking sound
- The coolant warning light comes on
- Battery indicator is on
- Your air conditioner is no longer working, it is no longer cold
- Power steering no longer works
Again, don't ride for too long with a torn accessory strap, you could break completely and also cause more serious damage to other parts of your vehicle.
🚘 What's in the Accessory Strap Kit?
Your accessory strap just let go and you wonder what exactly is included in the accessory strap kit? Note that your accessory belt kit usually consists of an accessory belt, idler pulleys and belt tensioners. It is advisable to change the entire set at the same time, since one defective part can damage others. For more uniformity of parts, it will be necessary to almost systematically change the entire accessory belt set.
?? How much does it cost to replace the accessory belt kit?
Replacing the accessory drive belt kit is much less expensive than replacing the timing belt kit. Pricing can vary greatly depending on your vehicle model and the type of accessory strap used. On average, the total amount is between 60 and 350 euros, including labor and spare parts.
If you want a more accurate price quote, you can use our online garage comparator. In a few clicks, you will receive quotes from many garage owners around your home, classified according to the best price and the opinions of other motorists. You also have the option to make an appointment directly online to save time and significantly save on changing your accessory belt kit!
