I'm being totally lazy here I admit, but it's ten degrees outside right now and my car currently has six inches of snow upon it so I'm not too keen to go out and open the hood. My car is squealing when first started, and when it squeals the fan blower loses power. What does that indicate? Is it the serpentine belt?

 

Belt might be too loose/tight?

 

Yeah in hindsight I realize that it was a dumbass question but like I said in my thread title I am a total NOOB with cars in general, let alone this specific car. I wasn't sure how many different belts there actually are under my hood, since I can't get to it right now, but given the fact that my heater motor and power steering both suffer when it is squealing, I now know that it is the serpentine belt that I am concerned about. In most cases, is it best just to replace it rather than try to tighten it?

 

i think theres 2 belts one for power steering , the other a/c and alternator both would be considered serpentine belts ,would depend on miles and belt condition whether to replace or tighten(they should last well over 100,000 miles) even though dodge says replace at 60,000 miles

 

Just replace them. They're cheap and if your gonna be under there anyway you might as well