Inside your vehicle’s engine is a variety of components that contribute to its overall performance. One of these components is the timing belt, which is responsible for synchronizing the motions of the camshaft and crankshaft to keep the valves safe while in motion and keep the engine running. Without this component, the camshaft and crankshaft would fall out of synchronization and cause damage to the valves, pistons, and other parts close by. This not only hinders your driving experience, but it can also lead to serious damage down the road. It’s why the timing belt needs to be replaced after a few miles, as it too will experience wear-and-tear over time.

How do you know when you’ll need the timing belt replaced? Unfortunately, there isn’t a clear indicator as to when the belt will need to be changed, but a common rule of thumb is that newer vehicles should have it replaced around 100,000 miles while older vehicles should replace it at about 60,000. With that said, the best way to determine when a belt needs replacement is to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines found in the owner’s manual. Doing so ensures you’ll never have the belt slip while driving!