Belt Help

[mirageman]

Change your belt. Don't let that squealing go on. I had a squeak and sometimes a few seconds of squealing every time I started mine winter of 2019-2020 and then it stopped on its own. It started again this past winter and I ignored it again. Just over a month or so ago it started squealing again and I ignored it since it always settled down in a couple of seconds. Back in June, I was driving on the Garden State Parkway at like midnight and I heard and felt a sputter and my battery light came on. I knew right away the belt must have broken. I continued driving while thinking, and like 10 seconds later, my RED coolant light came on. First time I ever saw that light. OH FUDGE! That belt also drives the waterpump in my 2009 Yaris. I pulled over and confirmed a broken belt. I stayed on the side of the road with my hood open to cool the engine down for a half hour or so while I looked for the nearest auto parts store (I didn't want to pay to get towed). It was like 8 miles away thank goodness. I drove and the red light came on again after like two miles. I did a neutral key off every downhill I could to roll without the engine running (manual transmissions rule!) and parked. I had to sleep there in the parking lot until they opened some 7 hours later. Autozone is awesome, they'll loan you tools and I did this in their parking lot. Do yourself a favor, for 16 bucks, change the belt. It is not as easy as it looks, there isn't much room and you would want to do it at home instead of by necessity in some run down area.