Question On Belts Squealing

[Kls8705]

My 05 Outback has developed a high pitched belt squealing when first starting and idling, The belts were supposedly replaced when I first purchased it in march, and as Ive just moved to South Dakota Im wondering if its just the cold that has something to do with it or if its something that I really need checked out. Any advice would be great thanks

[grossgary]

Need to know what engine you're talking about - is this an H6 or H4?

"belts were replaced" - which ones?
unclear what vehicle/engine you own but the 4 cylinder has 3 different belts. the possibility exists that they ***did*** replace belt(s), but belts are still making the noise (ones that weren't replaced).

Are the serpentine belts cracked? Look at the belts or post pictures of them for us to look at.

How many miles?
Have you checked power steering fluid level?

[Kls8705]

Its an H4 With Around 134k miles and the belts do not look cracked or frayed at all. Been dealing with subzero temps on some days, someone told me it was just because of the cold because once the car is driven or revved over 2000 the squealing stops.

[nipper]

Could be as simple as a belt neding adjusting. You can find out which one it is by spraying a little water on each one. which ever one is squeeling will quiet down.

[NWSub]

i don't know about the 05's, but my 99 uses a different belt for each pulley. the thing is that they are about the same length, but one has an extra rib.

i only figured it out when chasing a squealing belt.

[humanoid]

I would say the belt tensioner is loose or worn and probably needs to be replaced. Not sure if the tensioner was replaced when the belt(s) was/were replaced.

[grossgary]

adjust the belt tension, tighten it if it needs it. that's probably all it is.
are those belts new? new belts often need stretched or tension is a little off, adjustment is normal shortly after.

there are other possibilities but that's the most likely by far so start there.

[rasterman]

Start with adjusting the belt, then try replacing it.

In extreme cold situations I have been able to solve otherwise incurable belt slippage in some cars by using synthetic power steering fluid. Never needed to try that in a Subaru.