WTH is a driving belt in a I4 Camry transmission?

[junk2k6]

So, for the last few months, everytime I shift gear from parking to anything else, there was screeching noise, which I thought may be the cause of colder weather. So I took the car today to dealership and the guy, after stranding me for 1.5hrs, told that there is some problem in the driving belt of the AT of my 2003 I4 Camry (50k miles). I was agreed on a repair order and left the car there. Now, back at home, after reading the service manual and googling, I can not find any belt business in automatic transmission. Is the dealership simply BS'ing me? It took them about an hour to finish the repairs, that includes resurfacing four rotors and the AT job. I am feeling fishy! Guys, please let me know if the smell is right.

[TRD VVTi]

The probably replaced your "drive belt", it's also called a serpentine belt.

You probably thought it was for the transmission because of the noise when the engine speed changed during gear changes.

Call your dealer to get a better explanation of what you're getting done.

Update the thread also. I'm curious to know for sure.

[junk2k6]

Actually, they indeed replaced the long serpentine belt. I spoke to the service manager for sometime to get an idea of what is going on. the grinding noise seems to be gone for now. However, I am kind of curious, 50k miles is I think pretty short life for those belts. Or is it a fair length of life?

[TRD VVTi]

Originally Posted by junk2k6

Actually, they indeed replaced the long serpentine belt. I spoke to the service manager for sometime to get an idea of what is going on. the grinding noise seems to be gone for now. However, I am kind of curious, 50k miles is I think pretty short life for those belts. Or is it a fair length of life?

It's not the 50,000 miles, it's the 5 years. Rubber dries out over time.

[CharmCityES]

^^ yes. i changed my drive belt at 50k on my 2003, and it was an oem belt...it wasnt cracked, but it had def dried out changed colors from black to brown