EPDM rubber V belt advantage

EPDM rubber belts advantage

As more automotive manufacturers demanded longer lifespans from serpentine belts, OEMs turned to ethylene propylene diene monomer, or EPDM for short. Made from synthetic materials, EPDM serpentine belts began seeing widespread use in the early 2000s. Today, EPDM remains the standard material for modern OE and aftermarket serpentine belts.

EPDM BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS

A big advantage of EPDM serpentine belts is that they offer a longer lifespan than comparable neoprene. While most EPDM belts are designed to last up to 100,000 miles, it’s not uncommon for these belts to last for nearly double the mileage. EPDM belts also retain their flexibility longer, which means the belt itself won’t lose its tension or form cracks like neoprene belts.

The lack of cracks and other traditional signs of belt wear makes it a bit tougher to immediately spot wear issues, however. Instead, EPDM belts wear out similarly to how a tire loses its tread over time. And just as one would check the tread depth on a tire, the best way to check for wear on an EPDM serpentine belt involves checking the rib valleys with a belt wear gauge. On a worn belt, the gauge will sink into the rib valleys, whereas the tool will simply rest on top with a noticeable gap.

CONCLUSION

While neoprene belt designs are perfectly serviceable, you’ll appreciate the longer life and improved durability of modern EPDM serpentine belts. But no matter which type of serpentine belt you choose, the most important thing is to keep a close eye on belt wear and change them at the intervals recommended in your vehicle owner’s manual.