DENVER -- Gates Corp. has announced the introduction of a new belt wear education program designed to help automotive technicians and motorists identify signs of wear on serpentine belts.

As part of the program, Gates has launched the new www.gatesbeltwear.com Web site and announced the availability of a new serpentine belt wear gauge that can aid in diagnosing the wear on serpentine belts. The gauges are free and can be ordered via the new Web site, which also features a video, tech tips, diagnostic illustrations and other useful information. New belt materials used by OEMs do not show traditional signs of failure. The new gauge and measurement technique can help easily identify worn belts that may not be performing properly and require replacement, according to Gates.

“Gates has introduced this education program to enable technicians and motorists to properly understand and assess wear on serpentine belts made from EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer),” said Ben Smith, manager of Automotive Product Marketing. “Awareness and understanding of EPDM belt wear is important because worn serpentine belts will not perform properly. Excessive wear leads to increasing slip that can reduce performance of the alternator, water pump, A/C or power steering and can damage these critical components.”

Unlike Neoprene belts, longer-lasting EPDM belts, installed on new vehicles since the late 1990s, typically do not show obvious visual signs of wear. Cracks and chunk-outs rarely occur with EPDM belts and instead, like tires, they wear out gradually over time as they experience rubber loss. When this happens, a belt loses its ability to grip or function properly and can slip, which puts a strain on engine components, causing them to malfunction and eventually fail. According to the Car Care Council, one out of five vehicles needs a new belt.