I posted a question on CF a few months ago about changing serpetine belts. My car, a '08 base convertible with a manual trans., was approaching 120k miles, and I wondered if I should change the belts. I know that GM, various Youtube mechanics, and numerous people here, etc., recommended I change them. Some voiced the opinion that I have been extreamly lucky that they hadn't broken already.
My belts looked fine from what I could see, so I asked if anyone had any knowledge of belts actually breaking with normal usage. It doesn't appear to be common, even on 250k+ mile GM cars and trucks. I do believe in preventive maintainance IF needed.
So I bought 2 new OEM GM belts and started to change them today.
Big surprise. First, the job was only sleightly irritating and went smoothly. The idler and tensioner pulley's were in very good condition, no wobble and great bearings. The big surprise is that except for some discoloration from time, heat, fumes, etc., the belt is in excelent condition. I mean really excelent condition. No cracking on the front or back, no broken or cracked ribs, frayed spots, excessively streched, etc. It looks like something I would expect on a 10k mile car.
The big belt looked so good that I didn't change the AC belt, which is suposed to be a bit of a bitch. I only changed the big belt, because I already had the old one off, and had a new GM OEM belt --made in Mexico--to replace the original US made belt.
The car is mostly driven in Southern California, but there have been numerous trips through the south western states and Texas, with some extreemly hot conditions. Not babied. Not much cold weather.
So, my conclusions are that modern technology can be very good, and some parts will last the life of a car--200K mi.??-- and to take some suggested maintenance services/parts replacement recommendations with a little suspicion.

 

did you buy your car new? I've honestly never had a serpentine belt break unless something else was amiss, BUT 15 years is a long time and I've seen many younger belts with obviously visible cracks.

Fortunately it's an easy swap in a Corvette, so you didn't waste much time. My Duramax belt was one of the hardest belts I've ever swapped!

 

My understanding is that the old rule of thumb for belts and hoses no longer applies. They are very unlikely to fail. I replaced my belts for no good reason and a few of the hoses when I installed the Dewitts but again, no evidence that I needed to do so.

 

Yes, new.
I thought 15 yrs and 120k miles would be a good bench mark. I think I was wrong.
I also changed my spark plugs at 80k miles, because they were supossedly worn out by 100k. Wrong again. The also looked very good and would undoubtably run well for far past 100k.
So the moral of the story is, we have to use our heads to try to figure out the truth.
PS, I also don't go along with the wife's 2022 car to change the oil at 7500 miles. I stick with a 5k mile interval.
Who knows???