When to replace the serpentine belt?

[khavel]

Hey everyone. I'm about to hit 100K and I'm looking to find out when to replace the serpentine belt (preferably BEFORE it breaks). So the Nissan service interval guide lists that it should be changed ever 30K miles for the "Premium" service program but for Program 1 and 2 it doesn't ever state to replace it. At least to 120K where the service guide stops making recommendations. The belt looks fine to me, has good tension and doesn't ever make any squealing noise. Whats a fair labor price to pay to have it changed? Who makes the most reliable belts?
THANKS

[smj999smj]

Most belts today are made with EDPM. They last much longer and don't crack as quickly as belts did decades ago. This makes it hard to judge when they are worn. Gates makes a belt wear gauge that can be used to measure the wear on multi-groove serpentine belts. It looks sort of like a plastic comb and shows the wear of the sides of the groove, to help one determine if the belt is due for replacement. You can usually pick one up for free at most auto parts stores. EDPM belts can easily last 60000 miles and it's not hard for many to last well over 100,000 miles. Personally, I think 100,000 miles is plenty on a belt and a good time to replace it. Many belt manufacturers recommend replacing the serpentine belt auto-tensioner at the same time, as the spring in the tensioner and the pulley bearing will wear over time. Some manufacturers will sell a belt kit, that comes with the belt and the tensioner and idler pulleys.
As far as brands, I prefer to stick with genuine Nissan or Bando brand, which makes many of the OEM belts for Nissan. After that, I would go with Gates premium belts.

[Kestral]

I replaced my belt on my Toyota 4Runner at 90,000 even though it looked fine I just did not want to take the chance of a failure on a long trip. I say change it out its cheep insurance.

[skinny2]

I swapped mine around 90k along with the tensioner. It wasn't particularly difficult or expensive so it seems like a no-brainer routine maintenance item.

[eieio]

one of my R51s has only about 55K miles on it (original belt), yet it is a 2005 model.
the other R51, also a 2005 model, only has about 25K miles on its' original belt.
should age be considered as well?

[smj999smj]

one of my R51s has only about 55K miles on it (original belt), yet it is a 2005 model.
the other R51, also a 2005 model, only has about 25K miles on its' original belt.
should age be considered as well?

Look at the belt carefully at signs of dry rot. If there are no signs and no cracks, you're probably fine. That said, it is going on 10 years, so it might not be the worst idea to start thinking about replacing it.