How long does an AC belt last?
Your AC belt connects your car's engine crankshaft to the air conditioning unit, bringing you cool air in hot weather and also defrosting your windows when temperatures drop.
Depending on the type of vehicle you own, your air conditioner may be driven by a single ribbed belt that drives all of your vehicle's components, or your air conditioner may have a separate belt. If your vehicle has a separate AC belt and it fails, then your air conditioner will not work. If it is driven by a V-ribbed belt, then the failure of the air conditioner will be just one of the symptoms - many nodes will fail, and your car may not even start.
Typically, car belts last between 30,000 and 40,000 miles, or about three years, depending on how much you drive and whether the belts have been exposed to contaminants. The life of your AC belt will also depend on how often you use the air conditioner and defroster.
Signs that your AC belt needs to be replaced include:
- Cracked, frayed, stretched or worn belt
- Screeching when turning on the air conditioner
- Defroster not working in cold weather
- Not enough cool air in hot weather
If you live in a warm climate and you're comfortable just rolling your windows down in hot weather, you may be able to get by without changing the A/C belt. However, if you are riding in cold weather, you will need a de-icer. If you suspect that your AC belt needs replacing, a mechanic can check it for you and replace the AC belt if necessary.
