by Joshua Thomas
Serpentine belts play a crucial role in a car's engine. This belt basically transports power to all the important car components such as power steering pump, air conditioner and alternator.
There was a time when automobiles used multiple belts for different functions. Due to technological advancement, the best serpentine belt is what mots vehicles will need as it serves multiple roles.
Like most other vehicle parts, serpentine belts have a lifespan which in most instances is around 7 years. But some can wear out sooner depending on the quality and usability.
There are lots of serpentine belt models out there, but you need to choose one that suits your vehicle type and model perfectly. And here we make this easier with a review of 7 top-rated serpentine belts and a buying guide.
Contents
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. Bando USA 6PK1305 (Best Overall) |
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 | 2. ACDelco 6K930 (Best Professional) |
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 | 3. Continental OE Technology Series 4060882 (Best Aftermarket Multi-V Belt) |
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 | 4. Bando USA 6PK2135 (Best Brand) |
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 | 5. ACDelco 6K380 (Premium Quality Aftermarket Belt) |
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 | 6. Gates K081264HD (Heavy-duty) |
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 | 7. Gates K060841 (Exceptional Quality, Great Price) |
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The brand Bando has been around for many years, and you can always trust them to have a top-notch quality serpentine belt for you.
And what makes this one and many of their other belts amazing is that it adheres to OEM specifications.
This belt offers exceptional quality cords with strong tensile to ensure it can carry high horsepower lads without stretching.
The belt 6 ribs measure up to 84.1 inches in total and they are produced from a mold to ensure they have the OEM specific rib profile.
Bando uses high-quality rubber to make these belts and besides providing long service life it is also heat-resistant. And given its quality and service life, this is also a more cost-effective option.
When compared to OEM serpentine belts, this one feels a little lighter, but the good news is that it is still quite tough and highly durable.
Pros
Cons
If you want to go with a professional-grade serpentine belt this model from ACDelco is an amazing choice.
What makes it a great professional-grade belt is that it lasts 50-60% more than any conventional retail belts. And it is also built from a more durable rubber material that is temperature and crack resistant.
This belt is made to be more flexible than most others out there. Hence, it can withstand billions of topside/backside bends for a longer life.
Also, transmits load more efficiently throughout the ABDS- accessory thanks to the rib profile's precision dimension control.
This might not be the best serpentine belt for trucks, but for most cars it will work perfectly. Although it is pricier than most others on our list, it is still fairly priced for a professional-grade belt.
Pros
Cons
This multi-V belt by Continental is another top-rated serpentine belt that most professional repair technicians would recommend.
The serpentine belt features an improved construction and compounding to ensure more durability and provide quieter rides.
Also it has been precision-engineered to ensure a perfect fit, form and function and it will provide height strength and with shear strength for improved performance.
Plus, it is designed to handle tension with high efficiency. It should be quick and easy to install even if you are not a professional technician.
This serpentine belt is also relatively pricier when compared to others on our list, but it makes up for this by being top-notch quality. Although it can be a little longer for some engines, it fits perfectly for compatible ones.
Pros
Cons
Bando is one of the leading brands in the manufacturer of vehicle drive belts and only comes second to a couple of other brands at most.
Their model 6PK2135 lives up to the reputation of the brand as it is not only well-built but more long lasting. And it is also made to OEM specifications.
The high strength synthetic rubber compound material makes it more wear resistant and durable and there are 7 ribs of 68.2 inches in size. And it also has high strength tensile cords to carry high horsepower loads without stretching.
The product is suggested by many car models and is compatible with various brand engines such as GM, Toyota, Honda, Nissan and VW. Furthermore, this is an easy to install drive belt that fits perfectly.
While this serpentine belt might not have a universal fit or be as widely compatible as many others by Bando, it makes up for this with a perfect fit for compatible engines.
Pros
Cons
If you are searching for a high-quality serpentine belt and don't want to spend recklessly, then the ACDelco 6K380 is the finest pick for you.
Just like all other drive belts from ACDelco, it is also made of EPDM rubber that is created to last for the longest time possible as it is temperature and crack-resistant.
It has been acknowledged to last 50-60% longer than regular serpentine belts and it will also deliver quieter rides.
Its unique rib profile ensures efficient load transmission throughout the drive belt system for optimal performance. And this relatively affordable belt is also more flexible to withstand countless back and topside bends.
The rib profile transmit is also secure and seamless, and it allows all the components to operate at optimum levels.
Like with many serpentine belts, compatibility is the main issue with this one as it does not seem to fit some engines. But, you will hardly find any belt that fits all the common engines and so this is not a big deal.
Pros
Cons
Gates is an incredible brand that gives you the finest serpentine belts. Starting from the material to the overall quality and resistance of their belts like the model K081264HD, it is a praiseworthy brand.
The product is designed to work in the toughest applications with utmost efficiency. And it has superior load capacity, flexibility, and stability.
Plus, the material used is thicker than even OEM ones and will be more resistant to cracks and heat. This serpentine belt will also fit most engines perfectly and is resistant to both heat and cracking.
While this is one of the priciest options among our serpentine belts review, quality always comes at a price. Furthermore, it is still not as pricey as other high-end options.
Pros
Cons
With Gates you cannot go wrong when it comes to drive belt and here is another reliable model from them.
And despite the immense popularity of the brand, they offer this model at a more affordable price tag than many other brands out there.
It works exceptionally well with small pulleys backside idlers, and automatic tensioners. And installing it should only take a few minutes as it is quite straightforward.
There are V-ribs on both sides of the belt for added strength and efficiency and it is also completely crack-resistant. This Gates serpentine belt will also be ideal for various engines.
And while it might not be suitable for lager pulleys, for smaller ones which is what most cars have, it will be perfect. Also, the squeak that it develops as it ages is typical of most serpentine belts and will not affect its performance significantly.
Pros
Cons
The serpentine belt is one of the most crucial car engine and hence when you replace our a worm out on, you cannot afford to make the wrong choice. But choosing one should be easy as you only need to consider the following points.
The material used to make the serpentine belt determines its performance and durability and is hence a crucial factor to consider serpentine belt.
As far as the material is concerned, most of the serpentine belts are made of ethylene propylene. It is a high-strength material and more resistant to wear and tear.
There are also serpentine belts made from Neoprene but many experts do not recommend them as they are not very durable and also do not work very well.
Next thing that you should carefully note is the size of the serpentine belt. And here you need to make sure that it will be the ideal size for your vehicle.
For this, you can either check the part number of the old serpentine belt or refer the car's manual. If you cannot locate both these things then use a string to measure the length of the belt.
Also, we suggest you to buy a belt that is one size smaller than the old one. For example, if you measured the length to be 90 inches then an 89.5-inch one will be more appropriate.
Compatibility also matters because even if the belt is the right size it might still not work for you if it is not meant for use on your particular vehicle model.
Most serpentine belt manufacturers will clearly indicate the vehicle types and models that their products are meant for, and so you should have an easy time getting something compatible.
It is always a good idea to buy your car accessories from a reputable brand and the serpentine belt is no exception.
You are more likely to get a high-quality serpentine belt if you buy from the reputable brands and most will also stand by their belts by providing a good warranty.
Some of the brands know to make the best serpentine belts are Bando USA, Gates and ACDelco.
If you are not an experienced vehicle owner, it is not always easy to tell when you need to replace a serpentine belt.
However, this should be easy as there are certain signs and factors that should tell you that it is time to replace the serpentine belt.
An average life of a serpentine belt is between 7 to 9 years. Also most of these belts will work for a maximum of 90000 miles. Once the lifespan or mileage is attained it is time to replace the belt.
The aging belt can cause squealing and become contaminated or get misaligned. Hence, when you notice unusual noise from the serpentine belt it mean you need to replace it.
It is always advisable to inspect your vehicle frequently and when you notice obvious wear, cracks or fraying on the serpentine belt you should replace it.
Bando USA 6PK2135 OEM Quality Serpentine Belt - Walmart Link
Gates K081264HD Serpentine Belt/Fan Belt - Walmart Link
ACDelco Professional 6K930 Standard V-Ribbed Serpentine Belt - Walmart Link
Bando USA 5PK875 OEM Quality Serpentine Belt - Walmart Link
ACDelco GM Original Equipment 12576447 V-Ribbed Serpentine Belt - Walmart Link
Bando 6PK1305 OEM Quality Serpentine Belt - Walmart Link
Dayco 5060840 Serpentine Belt , Black - Walmart Link
Continental OE Technology Series 4060740 6-Rib, 74.0" Multi-V Belt - Walmart Link
Bando USA 4PK1890 OEM Quality Serpentine Belt - Walmart Link
ACDelco Specialty K040378HD Heavy Duty V-Ribbed Serpentine Belt - Walmart Link
Continental 4060855 OE Technology Series Multi-V Belt - Walmart Link
ACDelco Professional 6K960 Standard V-Ribbed Serpentine Belt - Walmart Link
Dayco 5060878 Serpentine Belt - Walmart Link
Motorcraft JK6-982D Serpentine Belt - Walmart Link
Bando USA 6PK2135 OEM Quality Serpentine Belt - eBay Link
Gates K081264HD Serpentine Belt/Fan Belt - eBay Link
ACDelco Professional 6K930 Standard V-Ribbed Serpentine Belt - eBay Link
Bando USA 5PK875 OEM Quality Serpentine Belt - eBay Link
ACDelco GM Original Equipment 12576447 V-Ribbed Serpentine Belt - eBay Link
Bando 6PK1305 OEM Quality Serpentine Belt - eBay Link
Dayco 5060840 Serpentine Belt , Black - eBay Link
Continental OE Technology Series 4060740 6-Rib, 74.0" Multi-V Belt - eBay Link
Bando USA 4PK1890 OEM Quality Serpentine Belt - eBay Link
ACDelco Specialty K040378HD Heavy Duty V-Ribbed Serpentine Belt - eBay Link
Continental 4060855 OE Technology Series Multi-V Belt - eBay Link
ACDelco Professional 6K960 Standard V-Ribbed Serpentine Belt - eBay Link
Dayco 5060878 Serpentine Belt - eBay Link
Motorcraft JK6-982D Serpentine Belt - eBay Link
A serpentine belt might look simple and most are also highly affordable, but it plays a vital role in your vehicle. Hence, you need to make sure that it is always in great shape by replacing it in good time.
When it comes to choosing the best serpentine belt you will only need to consider factors like material, size, compatibility and brand.
And whether you are buying one for the first time or not, you will also not need to spend a lot of time shopping around as you can be certain that there is at least one that will work for your vehicle in our review.
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About Joshua Thomas
Joshua Thomas just simply loves cars and willing to work on them whenever there's chance... sometimes for free.
He started CarCareTotal back in 2017 from the advices of total strangers who witnessed his amazing skills in car repairs here and there.
His goal with this creation is to help car owners better learn how to maintain and repair their cars; as such, the site would cover alot of areas: troubleshooting, product recommendations, tips & tricks.
Joshua received Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University.
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