The factory maintenance schedule recommends replacing the auxiliary belt every 100,000 miles or 9 years. You can check the condition of the belts by looking at it next to the alternator close to the oil level dipstick. Before you start the work, make sure you have the correct tools available. You will definitely need a 10mm socket, Torx bits T50 and T25.
First lift up the car and remove the wheel closest to the front passenger.
Remove the wheel liner by removing the Torx screws and two nuts. Peel it out slowly and make sure to remember how it goes back together.
There are two drive belts. Each one consist of two pulleys and a wheel acting as a tensioner.
To remove the first belt for the air conditioning system, use the T50 bit and rotate the first tensioner clockwise as far as possible. The tensioner is spring loaded, so you have to constantly apply a force. Remove the belt. Now use the same T50 bit and rotate the second tensioner for the alternator counter-clockwise as far as possible. Remove the second belt. Now make sure all pulleys and wheels are clean. Now it is time to install the new belts. First install the second belt by dropping the belt from hood near the alternator shown in the first picture. Release the tensioner and fit the belt into the groves of the pulleys. Make sure the grooves are aligned. Follow the same procedure and install the first belt.
Start the car and check everything is working correctly. Install the wheel liner and the wheel.
Total replacement time was 90 minutes.
