k guys I have an emergency, belt snapped in my 96 z28, I figured out my AC pulley has seized up, I'm about 60 miles away from home, and I need to get my car home. my question is can I run the car without the belt to get home safely? I know ill have no power steering and alternator. water pump isn't an issue since its not run with belt I believe.please please help. I've tried searching already.

 

Your car will run as long as your battery will let it..60 miles is a good distance.

Safety-wise things to consider are your lights will get dim as you lose power, steering will be tough. If you have a manual you could probably save some battery by coasting down hills with the car off and clutch starting it when you need engine power. I suppose if you had access to a spare battery or two you could charge them up and swap them out to try and get home.

Bottom line definitely not recommended any distance, but I understand things happen. Have you called a tow truck to see what it would cost to have towed home? If not that a car dolly can usually rented for $50 a day if you knew someone with an SUV/truck to bring it back for you.

 

I know its been two hours since post, but 60 miles seems a bit far for a battery to last. Maybe drive to the local autozone, buy a belt, barrow some tools and change in the parking lot. If you do attempt it, turn off all electrical items you can, don't use your blinkers (be careful), turn radio off, windows up, heater off. If you see a stop light coming up, coast so you don't use your brakes, once stopped put car in neutral and let off brake so the tail lights don't draw battery.

I am curious how far a car battery can really last now.

 

A good battery would probably last 60 miles as long as you keep current draw to the minimum.

 

It sounds like putting on a new belt is out of the question because his AC pulley is frozen up. Unfortunate, because putting on a new belt is a 5 minute job. :-/

 

I had an alternator die on me a couple years ago. I was watching the voltmeter closely, and when it got past the 1/2 mark, it threw a SES light. I think I drove it like that for about 20miles watching the needle slowly dropping. When I got home, voltage was like 10.5 i think. Battery was kind of old too.