We're getting used to some cool lifehacks that make our lives easier. But not all of them are really that cool. They may seem to be just life-saving when you read about them or watch an informative video on Youtube. But once you try these lifehacks in the real life, they prove to be killing.
Have you ever heard about deodorants on squeaky drive belts in cars? We'll tell you now why this lifehack is not worth your time and why it can actually be dangerous.
Let's get started!
What's the main idea of the lifehack?
Well, this has become a really popular idea that you can save your ears from suffering just by applying some body deodorant on the drive belt that is screaming. To begin with, we should say that it's an insane idea although it will work for some time.
So, the idea is that whenever you hear a squeaky noise from the engine bay, you should just take your deodorant, open the hood, locate the drive belt and apply the deodorant on the inside of the belt. This will make the contact between the belt and pulleys much better and the belt will stop squeaking.
In the cool videos smiling bloggers show how they do it and then they start their engines and you hear no noise - so it actually works! But no, let's see what happens after some hours.
Why applying anything to your drive belt is a bad idea?
The drive belt powers the alternator, power steering, air conditioner, and also some other important units under the hood of your vehicle. If the drive belt is stretched, it will slip from time to time and you will hear a squeaky noise. This means that the belt is not going to rotate the alternator and other parts at the time when it's squeaking.
The belt should be dry and of the needed size to do its job correctly. If you apply deodorant or anything else on your belt, it may stop squeaking for a while because the inside working surface will become moisturized and slippery. This will actually make the belt slip all the time. And the alternator will not work at all.
After an hour or two of such driving, you will keep hearing those annoying squeaky noises and the alternator will still not be working. It means your battery will be going to die soon.
One more bad thing - all pulleys and tensioners will also be greased with deodorant and will not work properly. This may lead to a simple thing: your drive belt will not do its job and your car will just stall.
If you just let the belt squeak for a while, it will get hot and probably start doing its job. So, in this case, deodorant will not do anything good to your car.
Can your drive belt break because of deodorant?
Well, no, the belt will not break just because you put some deodorant on it. But when you come to the repair shop, these guys may tell you that not only the belt needs replacement, but the pulleys, tensioner, and even alternator are out of order and need at least cleaning. This will make you pay much more than you could pay if you hadn't put any deodorant on the squeaking belt.
Under high temperatures, deodorant will firmly stick to the surfaces and will be quite hard to clean off. If you just have the new belt installed, it will keep squeaking or slipping because the pulleys are all greased with deodorant. So, better avoid checking if this "wonderful" lifehack actually works.
What to do if you have a squeaky belt?
If your drive belt is squeaking, the best idea is to go to the repair shop or to the dealer and have the system diagnosed. In most cases, it's all about the belt itself. It means that the belt should be replaced and the problem will disappear.
But sometimes, the problem is in the tensioner that doesn't provide the belt with the needed tension. Also, the position of the alternator may be wrong. Some other fixes are also possible. But first of all, the professionals will check the condition of the belt and will tell you if it needs replacement.
How much is it to replace the old drive belt?
Drive belts usually live over 100,000 miles and no one thinks about their replacement before they start making noises or slipping. The drive belt itself is not a very expensive part, but replacing it may be a daunting process in many modern cars. So, the labor costs are not as low as you may predict.
But anyway, it's better to replace the drive belt with the whole set of pulleys and tensioners before it's broken. If it breaks somewhere on the highway, you'll have a couple of hours until your battery dies and the car stalls.
About the authors
The CarAraC research team is composed of seasoned auto mechanics and automotive industry professionals, including individuals with advanced degrees and certifications in their field. Our team members boast prestigious credentials, reflecting their extensive knowledge and skills. These qualifications include: IMI: Institute of the Motor Industry, ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians; Coventry University, Graduate of MA in Automotive Journalism; Politecnico di Torino, Italy, MS Automotive Engineering; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Mechanical University in Skopje; TOC Automotive College; DHA Suffa University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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