The alternator/ water pump and power steering pump/ air conditioning compressor drive belts are at the front of the engine and require periodical inspection as they tend to stretch and wear with age which is important in running the engine. Power steering cars and cars with air conditioning have the second drive belt serving these accessories, and they are located outboard of the alternator/water pump drive belt on the crankshaft pulley. In order to check the belts, open the hood when the engine is off and visually inspect the belts to check to see whether they are cracking or fraying, to check whether they are separated, torn and glazed and also; ensure that both sides are checked by twisting the belt and checking whether there is a problem. In case of any issues discovered, change of belt should be done. The deflection of the specified pulleys against moderate pressure between them helps to check the tension of the belts, and assess the deflection against the factory requirements of used or new belts. In case of any adjustment, loosen the alternator mounting bolt and adjusting bolt, then pull the alternator away off the engine to tighten the belt, then tighten the bolts and again measure deflection. In the case of the power steering pump belt, loosen the securing bolt and lock nuts, change the tension by positioning the adjusting bolt and tighten everything again. In cars that have no power steering but have air conditioning, the idler pulley is used to tighten the drive belt. To change a belt, loosen it to be large enough to remove it off the crankshaft pulley, the alternator/water pump belt might need the power steering or air conditioning belt removed first. Both belts should be changed together since they wear out. Compare the old belts to the parts store and also make sure that the new belts fit well centering multi-ribbed belts on the pulleys. Lastly, set the drive belts.