It’s an unpleasant, startling experience to start your car, only to hear an obnoxiously loud squealing noise. The culprit of this squealing will usually be your vehicle’s serpentine belt. In case you’re unfamiliar, the serpentine belt is a critical component of your car’s engine. When in motion, this long rubber belt winds around various pulleys to provide power to the alternator, air conditioning compressor and power steering pump.

A few different issues can cause your serpentine belt to start squealing all of a sudden. Oftentimes, it’s simply a case of the serpentine belt being worn down over time. Serpentine belts will typically last for a period of 50,000 to 100,000 miles, which is why car owners don’t usually hear the squeal until they’ve already been driving the vehicle for years. Fortunately, the serpentine belt is cheaper to replace than most critical engine components; you can usually have a new one installed by a mechanic in Minnesota for less than $150.

The elements can have a negative impact on your serpentine belt, resulting in the squealing noise. In particular, vehicles that are parked outside in cold weather often encounter this issue. Cold air and moisture build-up can prevent your serpentine belt from gripping properly and may even damage it over time, which causes the belt to squeal when your car is started.

Another situation in which your serpentine belt might squeal is if the tensioner that holds it in place comes loose. If your serpentine belt seems to be in good condition, then putting an end to that awful squealing may be as simple as adjusting the tightness of the tensioner.