According to the Car Care Council, one out of five vehicles needs a new belt. That’s an astounding fact when you consider that there are over 240 million vehicles on the road today, according to R.L. Polk & Co. Since the late 1990s, auto manufacturers have phased out Neoprene belts and begun installing EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) belts on new models. With this new belt construction comes…
EPDM is a superior technology with better performance characteristics, but like any wear part, these belts don’t last forever. It can be harder to detect when these new belts are worn, because as EPDM belts age, they don’t show wear the same way as Neoprene. To help you accurately diagnose belt wear in EPDM belts, NAPA Belts/Hose has developed a Belt Wear Gauge so you can recommend belt replacement at the appropriate time.
