Squeaky start up only lasts about 30 seconds?

My first guess is it's the alternator belt. When the car is first started the alternator has to charge at a high rate to recharge the battery, once the battery reaches full charge or the belt warms up the squealing goes away. I've had a couple of cars that have done this, it's usually not a big deal unless the battery does not fully charge.

I had a 94 Dodge Caravan that squeeled like that and it turned out to be the idler for the belt.

Check the alternator bearings. You did not mention year and mileage of vehicle but I would guess that the bearings are beginning to fail. Have someone else start the vehicle while you stand in front with the hood up and locked closely listening to that particular area. If it is suspect have a professional mechanic verify it. They will probably place their hand on the housing of the alternator while the squealing noise is occurring. They should be able to feel a grinding through the housing. My next guess would be either the power steering pump (check fluid level), idler pulley, or air conditioning compressor. Your noise in all probability is an accessory that is being driven by the belt.

I once had a problem similar to that and the squeeling intensified when I turned the steering wheel. My fluid levels were fine so I tried tightening the drive belt off the altenator a little and that fixed the problem.

I would suggest that you replace the alternator belt and make sure it is tensioned properly. If you want to verify that it is the belt, try this. Get a helper. Before you start the car, open the hood and stand by the area of the belt with a windex spray bottle filled with water. Have your helper start the car. As soon as the squealing starts, spray the alternator belt with water. If the squeaing stops, chances are the belt is the problem.

You didn't mention what model and year car you have. Does it use a serpentine belt, or a vee belt. Serpentine belts can get dry and hard with age. Sometimes the serpentine belt pulleys become "polished" and are so slick that they allow the belt to slip under load. Sepentine belts also squeak becasue of weak or mis-aligned tensioners. If you have vee belts, old belts often get hard and slip under load. Also Vee belt pulleys can wear out. Look at the pulleys - if they are shinny at the bottom of the groove, you have a worn out pulley (or possible the wrong width belt).

Ed

Follow Ed White's advice on this subject. Do not use or buy any more belt dressing because it is a waste of money and does not fix the root cause of the squeal.

If it has been more than 60,000 miles since the accessory drive belts were replaced, then replace the belts. if you have recently replaced the belts, check to make sure the belt fits properly and that it is properly tensioned.

I had belts replaced on Highlander and got same squeal fairly soon, belt tension was off a bit, reset tension and squeal gone. So, IMHO you've gotten some good advice above.

Ron in Ca