1. Getting Started - Prepare for the repair
2. Open the Hood - How to pop the hood and prop it open
3. Check Belts - Determine the proper amount of 'give'
4. More Info. - Additional thoughts on checking the belts
David Hobbs helped make these videos
The video above shows how to check the belts on your 2011 Dodge Journey - if it gives more than a half inch when pressed, is cracked, frayed or appears shiny, you should change it (or have it changed) immediately. Worn belts in a Journey are one of those things that can cause a lot of problems if ignored, while typically being fairly cheap and easy to replace. Check out our parts page for coupons on new belts for your Journey!
The belts in your Journey connect your engine to many of the components you use every day such as your air conditioner, battery (via the alternator), power steering and cooling system. As such, you may experience a dead battery, difficulty steering, overheating, etc. that might be due to a worn belt, not a faulty component! If your Journey is one of those Dodges that shrieks horrendously when it runs, you likely have a worn belt, bad tensioner or both.
Hans Angermeier has produced over 100,000 videos showing drivers how to fix things on their cars. He has broad expertise on basic repair procedures covering the majority of cars on the road.