Top 15 Best Serpentine Belts 2023 – Reviews & Buying Guide
Without a doubt, it is one of those car parts that you can barely notice if it’s working properly. It takes care of fundamental systems in your car by keeping everything in their places.
But, just like any other vehicle parts, the belt will eventually wear down and lose efficiency. And then you will start having problems.
For experienced drivers with knowledge in mechanics, this is not a big issue to figure out. However, for drivers with less mechanical knowledge, the belt’s malfunctioning can become a major issue to deal with.
In this article, you will find everything you need to know to help you pick the good serpentine belt that better suits your vehicle.
Here's my Top 5 Serpentine Belt picks:
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What is the Serpentine Belt?
It is a utility power transmission piece that controls multiple devices in automotive engine vehicles. Its principal tasks include enhancing the vehicle’s alternator, power steering pump, water pump, air conditioner’s compressor, etc.
A well-functioning belt allows the user to get the vehicle’s optimum performance. Any company that calls itself the best serpentine belt manufacturer is aware of this, and they aim to create a design capable of fulfilling the driver’s needs.
The belt’s most common design is a multi-groove construction that is compatible with many engine’s layouts. It has the accessories mounted close to the engine block for a better adjustment.
Now that we understand the serpentine’s belt importance, it’s time for us to dive into the serpentine belt reviews to analyze every brand’s features.
Our Best Serpentine Belt Reviews 2023
The new year is a great opportunity to repair that old car you have in the garage. You bought the pieces, but you still need that one important piece to get everything up and running: the belt. Don’t worry! Today we’re reviewing the most efficient belts you can consider buying.
1. Bando 6PK2135 OEM Quality Serpentine Belt
With a record of high-quality pieces, Bando keeps its reputation delivering another item worth considering for your vehicle. Bando offers an item with many highlights that make it, undoubtedly, one of the best options in the market.
This unity has very high-quality standards. It provides the drivers the efficiency they need for better driving and it erases any sort of doubts they could have about the vehicle’s performance on the road.
Strong tensile cord is another great feature of this component. The cords allow the vehicle to carry high horsepower loads, which makes it ideal for several types of vehicles.
Because of the strong tensile cord’s consistency, the belt is capable of supporting heavy weight without stretching.
Bando 6PK2135’s design material consists of synthetic rubber, offering the client a durable and wear resistant component.
Most belts’ lifespan relies on its use, and while some may last longer than others, Bando makes sure their units work properly for many years.
It’s worth mentioning that another important characteristic of this unit is its compatibility. This item offers high compatibility with a variety of new and old vehicles.
Pros
Cons
2. Continental Elite 4060740 Poly-V/Serpentine Belt
The greatest feature this piece has to offer is an incredible high-end technology. It is a Quiet Channel Technology able to deliver a very silent but efficient performance for the driver’s comfort.
As mentioned earlier, the best working serpentine belt will barely make any sound, if no sound at all. And this is where the Continental Elite’s expertise shines the most.
During its lifespan, this component makes sure the driver does not have to worry about loud noises, misaligned car pieces or malfunctioning devices.
It also offers a high-strength resistant material that contributes to the product’s longevity. The Continental brand has put a lot of effort into providing a belt that is equally efficient in three tasks: ensuring the vehicle’s systems functionality, strong power resistance, and durability.
With this item, they manage to meet all of those requirements, while also having an affordable price too.
Having gone through many of its features, we can tell these entire characteristics combined make the Continental Elite 4060740 model a reliable source of security and optimization for the vehicle’s functionality.
The materials Continental Elite uses continue to prove their worth and surpass the driver’s expectations.
Pros
Cons
3. ACDelco 6K930 Professional Serpentine Belt
Here we have an item that is a favorite among professionals. Its resistant EPDM rubber material goes through many tests to confirm the item's durability and offer the clients the best performance possible.
The belt can endure a variety of temperatures and is capable of resisting cracks that may present due to a malfunction in the vehicle or a misalignment.
Because of the unit’s resistance in rough conditions, the belt also has a long lifespan. Naturally, this will always depend on how much miles the driver goes through.
If the driver uses the vehicle for day-to-day activities and not long roads, you can rely on this belt to secure the vehicle’s functionality for a long time, often longer than most other brands.
The belt’s precision control of the ribs allows the belt to transmit loads efficiently through the several belt drive systems accessories. In doing this, the components of the vehicle will be able to work at the best capacity.
The rubber consistency in the belt provides a flexible construction, allowing the belt to bend in several positions, back and forth, without breaking or losing its integrity.
It is also able to operate and accept misalignment in the accessory belt drive systems. far greater than other models in the market.
Pros
Cons
4. ACDelco 4K378 Professional V-Ribbed Serpentine Belt
This unit follows a rigorous manufacturing process to meet the client’s expectations. These expectations are often very high when it comes to fit, form, and functionality.
Drivers will find this belt more than capable of taking full responsibility for a great percentage of the vehicle’s functions. This optimizes the systems for a better driving experience overall.
Compatibility is also a great feature of this model. It offers the drivers the option to use the belt in several different types of car and is able to adjust to many shapes of structures.
This belt follows its predecessor’s footsteps very closely when it comes to durability and longevity. It can resist tough temperatures and its materials are strong enough to keep the belt from getting minor damage like scratches or cracks.
The 4K378 belt model has ACDelco blueprints deep in it. After all, the brand’s main goals is to design and create vehicle parts that successfully meet OE expectations.
A successful design like this one is right for your vehicle and it’s adjustable to keep up with your lifestyle and driving habits.
When it comes to performance, this item offers very consistent performance and a trouble-free ride for the driver.
Pros
Cons
5. Continental Elite 4060882 Poly-V/Serpentine Belt
The Continental Elite 4060882 Poly-V is a belt that gives the drivers the comfort they need thanks to its Quiet Channel Technology feature. It has a unique staggered-cog profile and highly advanced rubber compounds.
The rubber material improves the piece’s durability, making it able to resist longer.
It has a high-strength tension feature that allows the belt to have stronger wear durability. If the driver decides to buy this product, the driver will not have to deal with technical issues like power or load transmissions.
The belt is designed to have a quiet performance, reducing chirps and squeaks to its minimum. These are issues drivers come across very regularly. If you are a driver, you will understand how frustrating such problems are.
This piece takes care of these problems, and ensures that the driver doesn't have to worry about the car breaking down in the middle of the road leaving the driver vulnerable in a high-risk situation.
The Continental Elite 4060882 Poly-V model is a precision engineered product put through many tests to prove its functionality. Once it’s put in place and begins working, you’ll realize what an amazing investment you have made.
If you use your vehicle frequently, you can trust this belt to do its tasks properly. It proves it’s a worthy component with an accessible price for most drivers.
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Cons
6. Bando 7PK1781 OEM Quality Serpentine Belt
This model has strong tensile cords capable of carrying high horsepower. With the addition of this feature, this piece becomes a suitable choice for multiple vehicles regardless of their size.
Bando continues to offer quality OEM products awarded by manufacturers such as Toyota, GM, Honda, Nissan, and many others.
Surely, with this reputation behind the company, they put all their effort to continue delivering satisfactory components to their customers.
This belt model belongs in a line of belts designed for both OEM applications and the aftermarket.
The technology it uses in its design makes this belt a high-quality option, highly capable of providing the drivers with security measures they might need to avoid accidents.
Its ribs have ground rubber compounds to offer a high strength synthetic rubber. This feature allows the item to have a longer wear resistance and capable of resisting for many years.
All these features highlight why Bando is one of the top manufacturers in their field. The company has been active for many years creating the best product they can design.
Their partnership with automobile manufacturers makes Bando a highly reliable source to get your automobile pieces from.
Pros
Cons
7. Continental 4060695 OE Technology Series Multi-V Belt
The Continental 4060695 OE Technology belt is a multi-V product with 6-ribs and 85.5 inches. It has a straight ribbed construction widely recognized by professional repair technicians.
With this model, both experts and less experienced drivers will have a high-quality performance from the vehicle while also providing consistency and reliability.
This model uses a new construction and a variety of compounds that improve the belt's durability, providing a satisfactory result for drivers.
Thanks to its materials, this model outperforms other products in the market. It provides a quiet ride and the option to support different types of horsepower.
It also provides high precision qualities engineered for a perfect fit, capable of adjusting to most cars and keeping their system's optimization at the best capacity.
The Continental 4060695 materials combine to create a well-designed belt with a true OE pedigree.
With this product, the Continental manufacturer has produced a multi-V belt transitioning to a familiar straight-ribbed design. The OE Technology series matches the OE style belt for better functionality and efficiency.
Continental’s components once again deliver an item with height strength and shear resistance. Drivers will be able to put the belt under a lot of pressure and be certain the piece will handle the power without any major issue.
Pros
Cons
8. Gates K081264HD Serpentine Belt/Fan Belt
Gates Corporation is one of the leading manufacturing companies when it comes to automobile parts.
The company works globally with OE manufacturers to increase the success of their products. One of their top pieces is the Gates K081264HD Serpentine Belt.
This model has a manufacturing process that includes high standard belt technology and great quality materials.
It has a great design capable of fitting in a variety of vehicles. This belt model offers the customer the option to make adaptations and adjust it to various structures for a better performance.
Many brands in the market offer a low construction quality and an unreliable size. This eventually affects the functionality in the rest of the vehicle's components. The lack of compatibility between the accessories might cause engine problems as well.
All of these malfunctions will directly affect the driver’s experience and it could dramatically damage the vehicle.
Noise vibration and harshness is another big problem for drivers, and the Gates K081264HD belt aims to fix all these issues.
It keeps the noises and vibration to minimum which would have been felt through the vehicle’s interiors, possibly ruining the driver’s comfort.
This is an item that offers high resistance to impacts, avoiding any possible crack the rubber might suffer. It also has high resistance qualities, enabling the product to have a long lifespan.
Pros
Cons
9. Continental Elite 4060798 Poly-V/Serpentine Belt
The Continent Elite 4060798 Poly-V model is a guaranteed high quality item. It meets the professional’s requirements for what a belt should accomplish in a vehicle.
The product goes through many tests to certify its quality. Because of this, this item provides a satisfying performance for every customer.
Another of this belt’s features is how easy it is to connect to your automobile. Even if you have no technical knowledge about mechanics, you will find that the Continental Elite’s belt is stress-free to install in your vehicle's structure.
It establishes a smooth connection with the crankshaft, and you can adjust the belt over to the many pulleys.
The Continent Elite 4060798 ensures the optimization from the power steering to the air conditioner system, enhancing the vehicle’s functionality overall.
It has high-strength tension compounds that allow the belt to have a strong consistency. The belt also has strong resistance to vibrations, and it doesn’t wear down quickly.
More so, it incorporates an advanced technology increasing the item’s flexibility, abrasion, and heat resistance.
Like most of the Continental Elite’s products, this 4060798 Poly-V model has EPMD rubber materials that contribute to the vehicle’s success at its performance.
It has a staggered-cog profile that eliminates any undesirable sound the vehicle’s engine or pieces could produce.
Pros
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10. Gates K060882 Multi V-Groove Belt
At number ten, a multi V-groove belt by Gates includes the patented EPDM rubber compounds over cords that resist cracking and contributes to a longer life. Its rubber resistance makes the belt capable of enduring tough conditions while still maintaining its integrity and durability.
An EPDM rubber feature also prevents the belt from wearing down quickly.
This unit includes the necessary construction for highly demanding engines. It works for high-velocity engines and it's able to support heavy weight and horsepower.
In most types of vehicles, the Gates K060882 model will offer the driver stability and rigidity to keep the car functioning and all its components in place and running.
It works in many vehicles of different sizes and shapes. A few examples are engines with high specific outputs, diesels and turbo engines.
All these engines are highly demanding devices and they require a belt capable of following the engine’s rhythm to improve the car’s performance.
However, the Gates K060882 model also works on engines with poor accessory drive geometry.
The belt’s design uses materials that are compatible with a lot of vehicles and types of engines, allowing the drivers to get the best out of their vehicles, even if the vehicle is an old model.
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Cons
11. Bando 6PK1880 OEM Quality Serpentine Belt
The Bando 6PK1880 belt’s best feature is the smooth performance it is capable of giving to the vehicle’s systems. It includes standard OEM specifications to certify its quality and originality.
Another interesting thing about this belt is the fact that its construction involves automotive power belt features. The belt is capable of meeting the distinctive wishes that high-powered engines demand.
Like most Bando components, this one has a design easy to understand for everyone, and allows drivers to install or replace without any complications at all.
Its structure uses high-quality synthetic rubber compounds known as EPDM. Before its release, the unit gets tested numerous times through high-pressure power and tough temperatures.
Through all the tests, this belt model becomes a worthy piece to consider. Every driver should consider it when the time comes to replace their old and worn down units.
Naturally, like other Bando elements, this item offers quality resistance to damage. It has a strong resistance to cracks in the fabric of the rubber, providing the driver with a long-lasting product that does not wear down quickly.
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12. Continental 4070975 OE Technology Series Multi-V Belt
Continental Elite’s manufacturing process easily outperforms other brands when it comes to functionality. This unit is an innovative component with technology aiming to reduce the driver’s discomfort to zero while driving.
It provides a quiet ride, and the drivers don’t have to constantly wonder if they will be reaching their destinations or not.
The Continental Elite manufacturer makes sure every one of their components meet the quality standards drivers require. By doing this, they accomplish the driver’s demands and manage to remain one of the top quality manufacturers in the world.
Using this piece will provide you with strong flexibility endurance, capable of functioning for a long period of time with efficiency and ease. It’s also a very user-friendly piece, meaning you don’t need to have mechanical knowledge to understand how it works and how to install it in your vehicle.
This belt excels when it comes to doing its job without any noise or vibration.
It’s because of all these features that the Continent Elite company is one of the most popular providers. They put a lot of effort into creating an excellent ellement to solve the driver's most common concerns while on the road.
Eventually, your serpentine will wear down, and you will have to consider your options to replace it. When that time comes, the Continental 4080660 model is a worthy option to keep in mind as a possible replacement.
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Cons
13. Bando 5PK875 OEM Quality Serpentine Belt
The Bando 5PK875 is a great addition if you are looking for a high-quality item to replace a non-functioning belt. Bando manages to deliver products worth their price, with a manufacturing process and design that increases the belt’s durability and resistance to external factors.
Its rubber material has high strength synthetic qualities that make the piece last over a long period of time. It also has a high strong wear resistance, which means you can install it in your vehicle and be comfortable without having to worry about breakdowns.
Strong quality units are always an important features to have in your vehicle, and Bando exceeds the driver’s needs offering a sustainable and worth buying item.
Buying this item will give you an easier maintenance process, along with quick installation and replacement if you need to change it in the future.
Like most belts, the Bando 5PK875 model gets tested numerous times to verify the material’s integrity and functionality. Through all the years Bando has been an active competitor on the market, and the customers have high expectations in their items. Bando always delivers good quality products.
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14. MOCA 6PK2225 Quality Serpentine Belt
The MOCA 6PK2225 has a precise dimension control. Its rib’s features are capable of transmitting loads efficiently throughout the accessory belt drive systems.
That allows the components to operate at an optimum level while improving the vehicle systems for better efficiency.
This unit meets and exceeds SAE quality specifications, making it a very valuable belt for drivers to buy.
Its materials are EPDM compounds. By using a high-performance rubber, it reaches an incredible performance in general. Because of the materials in its design, this belt is capable of having a long lifespan.
Once you install the belt, you’ll realize how efficient the system is and why buying this model was the right call to make.
This model is a great replacement for old worn out belts that have run their lifespan. Due to the improvements in its designs, it can offer an item capable of lasting much longer.
It is capable of resisting prolonged exposure to heat and friction better than other brands available.
If you decide to use this serpentine, you will no longer have to worry about your car breaking down or having major technical issues.
MOCA takes pride in their piece’s design, and they deliver high-quality products for vehicle drivers.
Pros
Cons
15. ACDelco K040378HD Specialty Heavy Duty V-Ribbed Serpentine Belt
The engine is one of the most important parts of the vehicle, and it could be a very complicated car piece to understand. Nonetheless, engine maintenance is a routine task every driver should practice from time to time.
Proper engine maintenance involves checking out all of its components to make sure they are working at their best capacity.
We have been talking about the importance of having a well-functioning belt throughout this article, as it often defines the success or failure of your vehicle.
Replacing a worn down piece could be a complicated task if you don’t know what you are looking for.
The ACDelco K040378HD is a heavy-duty V-Ribbed model. The materials put together during its design process create a high quality piece. It delivers a belt with a long durability over time.
It has features from other classic ACDelco products. This item’s main goal is to meet the client’s expectations in many areas.
One of the highlights from this belt model is that it offers greater resistance to possible damage it could suffer while functioning. It maintains the vehicle running and all of the systems in proper functionality.
The Heavy Duty V-Ribbed model offers quality and value at a rather affordable price for most customers.
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Things to Consider before Buying the Serpentine Belt
Like any other vehicle piece, the serpentine belt has many features and highlights that could work in certain types of vehicles better than others.
The belt’s compatibility is a feature that less experienced drivers don’t put too much attention on, often because they believe most of the products in the market will fit their car.
Because of this, inexperienced drivers could become scam victims or take part in some very unpleasant situations.
Of course, another bonus from knowing the belt’s characteristics is that it allow every driver to fully understand what the belt does and how good it will be for the vehicle’s general functionality.
If you have any doubts, don't keep yourself from asking the questions you need before buying. Most of these brands have been in the market for years and a huge reason for that is their quality and customer service.
Materials Used To Create The Belt
The materials used to make the belt often define the belt’s durability and resistance. For over many years now, the manufacturers have known that EPDM (Ethylene Propylene-Diene Moner) provides the belt with a consistency that could last way longer than other materials.
Expert buyers are well aware of what brand offers their desired features. These buyers know the brand’s trajectory and reputation, and they could easily decide which model they want to buy.
However, there’s a huge number of drivers that have vehicles but they don’t have much interest in knowing the technical aspects of a car.
If you consider yourself a part of this group, buying EPDM designed belts will keep you from having major issues and removing any concerns about the vehicle's functionality in the foreseeable future.
There Are More Things You Might Need To Change
A serpentine belt is a unit that keeps together several of the vehicle’s systems and devices, ensuring the car’s functionality. However, this is not the only piece involved in the process, and it has to work with other vehicle pieces.
Because of this, a malfunction in any of the other units could affect the belt’s efficiency.
It’s important to remember that some belts may not be compatible with the other vehicle’s parts, like the pulleys. You need to have full certainty that the product you’re going to buy has the right specifications to fit your vehicle, like the right size and inches.
If you notice the car is starting to have issues, don’t rush to conclusions quickly. Make sure to check out every component to find where the failure is taking place. You might need to change the complete powering unit.
Make Sure You’re Buying From A Reliable Source
When it comes to buying vehicle units you could find yourself between two situations: either making a quick buy or doing deep research to get the best product for your car.
It’s understandable that you don’t always have the time, but making a quick buy could lead to disappointment once you try to install a piece that doesn’t properly fit your car.
It’s pretty common that people buy vehicle parts online without asking the right questions. Then, when the piece reaches their hands, they find that what they receive is not necessarily what they were looking for.
Of course, this is not always the case, but it does happen more regularly than we would like to admit.
We always recommend you to do multiple checking on the unit’s features to certify it will work in your car. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you have doubts.
Establishing a direct contact line with the customer service is important in every trading. You will be able to supply all the information they need to fully understand the failures the vehicle is presenting.
Once they know the details, they will provide successful solutions for you.
Pick A Belt That Best Suits Your Vehicle
One thing to keep I mind is that these items have plenty of construction types: multi-v, poly-v or multi-rib, all grouped in a multi-groove feature.
Each one of them accommodates the bidirectional flexing while maintaining a strong resistance to transfer the power of multiple loads. The materials used in the belt’s design are also important to research.
The best option to buy is one that consumes less space in the engine’s compartment, a feature that would make the belt an ideal item for all sorts of vehicles. It also reduces slips, allowing the use of lower-ratio pulleys for better load transmission.
Selecting the right serpentine belt will provide a performance your vehicle could not have with other multiple belt systems.
Read more article: Top Rated super Penetrating Oils in market.
Top Rated Serpentine Belt Brands In The Market
Your belt ran its course and now you need a new one. Which one should you buy? There are plenty of options in the market with different specifications! Well, going through the top brand’s reputation and main goals might help you decide. Here we review 5 of them.
1. ACDelco
ACDelco has a design process that aims to meet and fulfill the driver’s expectations. The brand’s units are well-known and guarantee quality and great value. ACDelco’s products are capable of enhancing the vehicle’s performance.
Their units can improve a variety of vehicle's optimization, from normal citizens to law enforcement vehicles.
2. Bando
For more than 100 years, Bando has kept its excellence in the market as an achievement no one can take away. During all those years, they have been supplying the OEM to the United States for over eighty percent of the top ten cars.
Their products are capable of providing improvements even to professional racing cars.
3. Continental Elite
Continental Elite makes sure their items are capable of reaching high-efficiency qualities. Their Quiet Channel Technology provides the driver with a well-functioning system capable of keeping the systems running without loud noises.
All of its features with advanced EPDM rubber materials manages to erase the driver's common headaches like squeaks and squeals.
4. Gates
Gates’ components have a specific goal to reach, and that is to outperform the competition. In order to do so, Gates implements advanced materials and manufacturing processes to create outstanding units.
The company works with plenty of automobile manufacturers around the globe, providing belts with OE quality compatible with most vehicles.
5. Dayco
Dayco is a well-known brand that offers quality elements. The belts are commonly available in kits with other accessories to make sure the brand’s products work in the most effective way possible.
Their application based gears are items like the Dayco Poly Rib W Quality Belt, a Dayco’s Idler/Tensioner Pulley, and Dayco Automatic Belt Tensioner.
Why To Choose The Best Serpentine Belt?
Buying the serpentine belt will give you the ride of a lifetime, quite literally. When the belt starts malfunctioning you will quickly take notice. Loud noises will start coming out of nowhere, and devices like the ventilation system will stop working properly.
Eventually, your car will start falling down. In worst case scenario, this might be an issue that could leave you in the middle of nowhere with no transportation available, vulnerable and in a high-risk situation.
For all these reasons, you should always keep in check the belt’s integrity and efficiency. Replacing it when it’s due will prevent you from having different kinds of unpleasant incidents.
Frequently Asked Questions About Serpentine Belt
What does this belt do?
It enhances the performance of the vehicle’s numerous systems like air conditioning, the alternator, the power steering pump, among other things. It’s a transmission unit that helps the vehicles perform at its best capacity and optimization.
How do I know when the car’s belt doesn’t work?
You will know it has lost its integrity because the vehicle’s overall performance will start to decrease. Weird noises will become occur frequently and the systems will begin failing. When this happens, make sure to check out the whole unit.
What is the best serpentine option I could get?
It depends on what type of vehicle you have and its structure. Ideally, you should always look out for belts with EPDM materials for longevity and resistance. For a better understanding of the belt’s qualities and limitations, drivers should always make contact with the manufacturers.
Why should I change it?
Replacing the belt in time can prevent you from going through uncomfortable experiences. You should always do periodical checking on the unit as well as the rest of the vehicle’s structure.
Most belts have a long lifespan, but they could suffer damage from external factors. If this happens, it won’t be long before you start noticing the problems.
Are there other units that I should change?
It could be a possibility. The serpentine belt works with other units together to improve the vehicle’s performance. If you decide to replace the belt, make sure the new one you get is compatible with the rest of the units.
Final Verdict
With the amount of brands out there, it is a tough task to choose which one offers the product that is best for you. But if you own or expect to own a vehicle in the future, its maintenance is a task you will be very familiar with.
Hopefully, now that you know the importance of this car piece, you will be able to fix issues it might give you.
Each brand provides quality items with unique features and characteristics. Be sure to pick the good serpentine belt to get the best performance out of your vehicle and a comfortable driving experience.
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