When does my timing belt need replacing?
It depends on your engine. Most belt-driven engines call for a new timing belt somewhere between 60,000 and 105,000 miles, or after 7 to 10 years, whichever comes first; your owner's manual has the exact interval. Many newer engines use a timing chain instead, which usually lasts the life of the engine. On "interference" engines, a belt that breaks can wreck the valves, so replacing it on schedule matters.
Belt or chain?
| Timing belt | Timing chain | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Reinforced rubber | Metal links |
| Replacement | Scheduled, by miles or years | Usually never, unless worn |
| Failure warning | Often none | Rattle, codes |
| Examples | Many Honda V6 engines, some Toyota V6 and older engines, many Subaru engines before 2012 | Most Honda 4-cylinders since the early 2000s, most newer engines |
Always confirm for your exact engine.
Why age matters, not just mileage
Rubber belts harden and crack with age. A car with low mileage that's 10 years old can still need its belt done. Leaks of oil or coolant onto the belt shorten its life too.
What a timing belt job includes
- Timing belt
- Tensioner and idler pulleys
- Water pump, when it's belt-driven
- Cam and crank seals, if they're seeping
- Drive belts, if they're due
- Fresh coolant
Doing these together means the front of the engine doesn't need to come apart again soon. We'll tell you exactly what's included and why before we start.
From drivers who came to us
These guys have done everything from oil changes to timing belt changes to brakes for me.
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More questions
How do I know if my car has a timing belt or a chain?
Your owner's manual or maintenance schedule will list a timing belt replacement if you have one. We can also tell you from the year, make, model and engine.
What happens if a timing belt breaks?
The engine stops immediately. On an interference engine, pistons can hit open valves and cause serious damage. On a non-interference engine, it usually just needs a new belt.
Should I replace the water pump with the timing belt?
On many engines the water pump is driven by the timing belt and sits behind it. Replacing it, along with the tensioner and idlers, at the same time is usually recommended.
Do timing chains ever need replacing?
Rarely, but they can stretch, especially if oil changes were stretched. Signs include a rattle at startup and cam timing codes.