How often to replace timing belt?

Many car owners may wonder how often should a timing belt be changed. Since the timing belt have important purposes for the engine, it's crucial to have it replaced regularly. Most carmakers wrote the exact time to replace the timing belt in its owner's manual book.

In general, most car manufacturers recommended timing belt replacement in every 60,000 to 100,000 miles or every 6 to 10 years (whichever comes first). But in general cases, the strength of the timing belt uses depends on road condition, the weather where the vehicle is used, and the vehicle's workload.

For example, suppose the vehicle is used in coal mining where it uses almost 24 hours/day in hot temperatures and heavier workload. In that case, replacing the timing belt could be quicker than the normally used. In this case, 30,000 to 40,000 miles are often used as a time to replace the timing belt set.

Do the timing belt inspection for better decision before replacing the timing belt for the vehicle in heavier workload and temperature.

So, how often should a timing belt be changed? If you have passed 40,000 miles or after five years of timing belt use (and or whatever time and mileage is written in your car owner's manual), you need to replace the timing belt set with a new one. And also, do the replacement if it has passed the multiple numbers. For example, in 80,000 miles or the next five years from new replacement and so on.

But to get more benefits from using a timing belt and achieving a higher efficiency level at a low cost, it's better to always refer to your car owner's manual. See the section of the recommended time for your specific car model.

Special conditions for timing belt replacement

Even so, some conditions can change the time when we must replace the timing belt. If this happens, then paying attention to the vehicle service history is the most important thing.

Here are some conditions that can change the time of timing belt replacement.

If the timing belt passes the usage time and mileage
If the timing belt goes bad such as the timing belt being contaminated with engine oil, looks old, missing tooth, cracked surfaces, and some noises heard from the timing belt location.

If the above conditions have occurred, the question of how often should you change your timing belt will also change. The timing belt replacement time will vary according to the time of commencement of a new timing belt.

Read more:

For example, because an oil leak hits the timing belt, you changed the timing belt at 30,000 miles (or before the time specified in the vehicle owner's manual). And for the next timing belt replacement, you need to mark it at 70,000 miles.

To avoid re-work for timing belt replacement which tends to higher cost. It's highly recommended to replace the timing belt as a set with another component were supports the timing belt works, such as the idle bearing pulley, tensioner bearing pulley, auto-tensioner, camshaft oil seals, crankshaft oil seal, and even the drive belts.

And also, checking the water pump condition with a comprehensive inspection will always help prevent water pump damage in nearly future time.