An elevator system includes an elevator car, a motor, and traction sheave operably connected to the motor to drive rotation of the traction sheave. A belt is operably connected to the elevator car and in frictional contact with the traction sheave to urge movement of the elevator car. One or more deflector sheaves are located between the traction sheave and the elevator car over which the belt is routed to guide the belt to the elevator car. The one or more deflector sheaves include an outer sheave surface having a distance from a sheave axis that varies along a width of the traction sheave. The outer surface includes a first portion having a first coefficient of friction and a second portion having a second coefficient of friction less than the first coefficient of friction, the first portion guiding an elevator belt toward a lateral center of the outer surface.