2014 to 2020 Toyota Highlander Serpentine Belt Replacement

Condition matters more than mileage on a serpentine belt. Many Highlander owners change it around 90,000 to 100,000 miles, but a belt that is cracked, glazed or fraying is due regardless of what the odometer says, and all three are visible at every oil change if you look. This covers the 2014 to 2020 cars.

What you will need

• Toyota Highlander Serpentine Belt
• Lug Wrench
• Floor Jack
• Jack Stands
• Mechanic Toolset: Metric
  • 14mm Wrench
  • 10mm Socket
• Solid Pin
• Fastener Remover Tool

Procedure

1. Park the vehicle on a safe flat ground level, set the transmission to the park, and turn off the ignition.
2. Loosen the lug nuts of the front wheel passenger side by turning them counterclockwise using a lug nut wrench.
3. Jack up the vehicle’s front and support it with jack stands.
4. Remove the cover plate on the inner wheel well by pulling out the push clip and two 10mm bolts holding it.
5. Place a 14mm wrench on the center bolt of the tensioner pulley and pull it towards the front of the car to release the tension.
6. Once the tension is released, insert a metal pin into the hole below the tensioner pulley and remove the 14mm wrench on the center bolt. This will set the tensioner pulley in the release position.
7. Remove the serpentine belt from the pulleys by pulling it out.
8. Line up the new serpentine belt starting on the pulleys above and lastly on the pulleys below. Make sure all the grooves on the serpentine belt are aligned very well with the pulleys.
9. Once the tensioner pulley is set, place the 14mm wrench back into the center bolt of the tensioner pulley and pull it again towards the front of the car. Then, pull out the pin from the hole.
10. Start the vehicle and check the new serpentine belt.
11. Turn off the ignition and reinstall the cover plate on the inner wheel well.
12. Place the wheel back in the vehicle and reinstall lug nuts by turning them clockwise using the lug wrench.
13. Remove the jack stands and release the floor jack.
14. Tighten the lug nuts to their proper torque specification.

When the Highlander Belt Needs Replacing

• Cracks across several ribs, missing chunks, or a shiny glazed surface.
• A squeal on cold starts or when you turn the steering with the A/C on.
• Fraying on one edge, which usually points to a misaligned pulley or a worn tensioner.
• Many owners replace it around 90,000 to 100,000 miles, but inspect it at every oil change; condition matters more than mileage.

After Fitting the New Belt

• Pull the pin slowly so the tensioner takes up the slack, then check that every rib sits in its groove.
• Run the engine and watch the tensioner arm; it should stay fairly steady, not bounce.
• Refit the wheel well cover and torque the lug nuts to the spec in your owner’s manual.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Highlander V6 belt hard to change?

It takes patience because access is through the passenger side wheel well, but it needs only basic tools. Most DIYers finish in one to two hours.

Should I replace the tensioner too?

If it is noisy, the arm bounces at idle, or the car has high mileage, replacing it with the belt saves doing the job twice.

What happens if the belt breaks while driving?

You lose the alternator, power steering assist on some models, and the A/C, and on engines with a belt driven water pump the engine can overheat. Pull over safely and turn the engine off.

Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Toyota.

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