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2680 days ago

When do you need to change your vehicles serpentine belt?

Hamish from

If you ask any auto repair and service shop, or automotive maintenance shop, they will tell you that vehicle owner’s often fail to replace their car’s serpentine belt in a timely manner. Years ago, auto mechanics had to replace multiple v-belts when they worked on a car. Today, one belt, called a serpentine belt, replaces these.

The old rule of thumb to determine when to replace a serpentine belt was when a belt had numerous cracks across the different “ribs” per inch of belt. The attached picture shows a belt with numerous cracks per inch. If you don’t address a belt that needs to be replaced, you risk the belt breaking and being stranded on the side of the road. Most serpentine belts will need replacing once every 5 years, depending on the number of kilometres you drive.

In recent years, this has changed. New technology in the rubber used to make serpentine belts keeps them from developing cracks. These belts do need to be replaced, however. The rubber on the belt wears much like a tyre does. Over time, the belt will loose rubber and the gaps between the “ribs” will become deeper. Auto mechanics use a depth gauge to measure the wear of the belt. Trusted repair shops, like Auto Super Shoppe Rangiora, will inform customers when their belt has too much wear and needs to be replaced.

Make sure your automotive repair shop checks your belt(s) at each oil change and advises you of the condition.

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More messages from your neighbours
5 days ago

Neighbourhood Challenge: Who Can Crack This One? ⛓️‍💥❔

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What has a head but no brain?

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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7 hours ago

Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!

Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?

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Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
  • 76.5% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
    76.5% Complete
  • 23.5% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
    23.5% Complete
34 votes
28 days ago

Some Choice News!

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.

Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.

Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?

Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!

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