My 2005 xB with 150,000 miles has always has a slight belt squeal when starting off. I have never been able to stop the squeal by tightening the belts. Is this normal for these cars?

 

My 05 does it too. The belts are quite hard to get tight enough. I've heard of several xb1's with this problem. Try using belt dressing and keeping the belts tight. Aside from that there is nothing you can do!

 

belt dressing makes a huge mess

 

Mechanic told me not to use belt dressing after I had already tried it. I'm afraid overtightening might put too much stress on old parts, pulleys, bearings. Apparently the squeal doesn't hurt anything if we can just put up with the rather embarassing noise.

 

Yea I've never actually used it on belts. Mostly just on the stuff in the engine compartment to make everything shine. I've heard that you can tighten these belts pretty tight as well without messing anything up but I have no personal experience with it. I just (puts on sunglasses) "deal with the squeal"