Park the vehicle and engage the parking brake: Make sure the parking brake is on and the vehicle is parked in a safe location.
Turn off the engine and let it cool down.
Locate the serpentine belt: The serpentine belt is usually a long, thin belt that runs around several pulleys on the front of the engine. It is typically black, and it is responsible for driving various accessories such as the power steering pump, the water pump, and the alternator.
Locate the belt tensioner: The belt tensioner is a mechanism that maintains the proper tension on the serpentine belt. It usually consists of a pulley with a spring-loaded arm. The tensioner is usually located near the top of the engine, close to the belt.
Release the tension on the belt: Use a wrench or a breaker bar to turn the tensioner in order to release the tension on the belt. This will allow you to remove the belt from the pulleys.
Slide the belt off of the pulleys: Slide the serpentine belt off of the pulleys by hand, starting with one of the idler pulleys. Move the belt along until it is completely removed from the engine.
Install the new belt: Place the new serpentine belt around the pulleys in the same order that you removed the old belt. Make sure that the belt is properly seated on all of the pulleys.
Tighten the belt: Use the belt tensioner to tighten the belt until it has the proper tension. The correct tension should be specified in your vehicle's owner's manual.
Check the belt alignment: Ensure that the belt is correctly aligned on all of the pulleys. If necessary, make any necessary adjustments to the belt tensioner.
Start the engine and check the belt: Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes. Visually inspect the belt to ensure it is properly tracking on all the pulleys. If the belt is slipping or making noise, readjust the tensioner.
Remember that working with belts and pulleys can be dangerous, so always take necessary safety precautions and consult your vehicle's owner's manual or repair guide for specific instructions and safety information that might be specific to your model.
