What is a drive belt?
Mazda vehicles have a rubber belt in the engine that drives accessories such as the air-conditioning compressor, power steering pump, and alternator. If the drive belt breaks, the battery won’t get charged, the air conditioner won’t blow cold air and the power steering will go out.
How long do drive belts last?
Although drive belts last for many years, they can become cracked or frayed and the grooves may become worn enough that the belt slips. A slipping drive belt may cause the alternator to work intermittently or at reduced power, and the battery won’t get fully recharged as a result, perhaps triggering a warning light. Another sign of a worn drive belt is a squealing noise under acceleration.
How is this corrected?
The Mazda Maintenance Menu recommends having your drive belt inspected as part of your regularly scheduled maintenance visits every 48,000 kms or 24 months. If it’s determined that the drive belt is frayed and worn out, your Mazda-trained technician will recommend a drive belt replacement at that time.