If you have a car, do you check the fan belt regularly?

[HundredAcreOwl]

Half fun, half serious.

Our older child, 30s, their car wouldn't start. They had to work when the help could come out (one of AA, RAC, Green Flag), so their housemate gave the person the car keys. All was sorted, it was the fan belt, but the person said they should have checked it regularly, implying it was their fault. Their car is serviced every year with the MOT.

AIBU You check your fan belt, or someone does, apart from regular services
AINBU You ignore the fan belt until it goes

Rather wish there was a third option - showing my age - who keeps a pair of tights in the car in case the fan belt goes?!

Edited to correct perspective, and add the tights...

Back in the old days we used to check the fan belt, this was when DH used to change the oil, spark plugs and other stuff himself. Now we have services I would expect it to be checked in that.

Why would anyone write all that about something they know so little about?

I know fan belts occasionally squeal if they are not happy, I also know that my poor car has a very expensive cam belt called a wet belt which unfortunately is due for a change.

Same. I used to carry jump leads, spare fan belt and a can of WD40 in the boot of my mini. WD40 was for when the spark plugs were damp so that it would start.

I also had a Triumph Spitfire. Removing the rotor arm from inside the distributor cap was my theft prevention device! Can't drive it away if it doesn't spark.

No a cam belt is the same thing as a timing belt.

I don't, but I'm lucky enough to have a partner who knows everything there is to know about cars. Especially older ones, which we have many of. But I definitely wouldn't be expecting the majority to even know where to locate a fanbelt, let alone check it 😂

Any results? We could include stockings and tights perhaps?

I did say it was half fun, half serious, thanks everyone! Both fulfilled, thank you.

I’ve never even opened the bonnet on any car I’ve owned.

In my olden days I used a pair of tights when my fan belt went.

It was a thing...don't think my kids even have nylon tights!

I'm interested in how old they are, and the manufacturers? I passed my test on a Mazda, light and short, next day was driving my mother's 1956 Riley with a huge sweeping front and back, taking up far more space, no power steering. Gorgeous cars, my father had several Rileys. At least one had the stick-out indicators rather than lights. And a running board!

Timing chain and durable don't belong in the same sentence!

Car - never. Boat yes everyday. This car doesn’t have one. Timing belt gets changed at 120k miles. So far it’s not achieved 70k miles in six years.

Welcome to the internet. (Or should I say the World Wide Web?)

No idea if the previous reply is useful, BTW.

BUT, my "Toyota Corolla mild hybrid does not have a traditional fan belt; the hybrid system uses electric motors and a battery, which eliminates the need for a belt-driven alternator and starter, replacing their functions and reducing components that require maintenance. The hybrid system takes over the roles of powering the vehicle's accessories that a fan belt would typically drive in a conventional car."

I do not work for Toyota. I pay a garage.

Who has a belt driven starter?

Are you sure you aren’t confusing timing belt/chain and fan belt here?

I have a handle

🤣😂🤣

I never check anything on my car. It’s a leap of faith every time I drive it.

Low mileage is detrimental to the condition of the auxiliary belt - you're much more likely to have a perished belt before it wears. An annual service won't cover this.

On the contrary, “inspect condition of aux belt” is a pretty common component of a service.

No idea where my fan belt is or what it does.
I put petrol in occasionally, although my DH does this mainly, plus checking tyres and other bits like that. It has a yearly MOT and service and I’ve got breakdown cover.

As long as I know how to operate things and who to contact when they go wrong, I don’t need to know how they work and have no interest in this. This applies to any machinery or electrical equipment.

I had a timing chain blow a few years ago. The car had just had its annual service, and at 60k, should have replaced the chain. Garage had to cover the cost of a new engine. It made a fantastic noise I can tell you.

If you think mechanics are doing that, you're due a wake-up call