Does anyone know when the best time to change the main serpentine belt is? Mine looks good, no visible cracks or anything, with 108K miles on it. 2014 Elantra. Should I go ahead an do PM on it or let it go longer?
I do mine at 120k but that is when Toyota says to. I'd by the manual for your car, unless if your vehicle is known for breaking belts (per any trends noted on various forums).
A quality serpentine belt for you vehicle is less than $30.00 and is a relatively easy change out. Why not just replace it? A tow is going to be much more especially if you have to wait 3 hours. For these simple maintenance items, just do it on your next oil/filter change it should only add 10-15 min to the "DIY service", while you're at it check your belt tensioners also.
If all the pulleys are in alignment and the belt shows no signs of excessive/unusual wear... modern EPDM serpentine "accessory drive" belts *can* go 100k miles. They are cheap and easy to replace so I would not push it any further than 90-100k, even in the best conditions. The original belt on my Tacoma went 100k and looked/worked fine but still replaced due to miles & age. Keep the old one in the car as a spare, in case something happens.
in 1975 i meet a factory rep from Daco. he had a new chevy. with a single belt on the front of his engine. he told us that some day ALL cars will have a single belt. i though REALLY?
I changed my serpentine belt at 177k miles... Bought a OEM belt from a Nissan dealership near me for $48. The groves still looked deep enough at the time I changed it.