Ask a Car Mechanic: Do I Really Need to Replace the Timing Belt?
As car repair technicians, we get asked about timing belts a lot. Does it really need to be replaced? We can tell you that if a timing belt breaks, it could easily cost you at least $1,000 — the cost to replace an engine. That’s why it is so critical to be proactive about replacing a timing belt. This is a repair you absolutely need to do before it breaks. Because if your timing belt fails, so does your engine. And if you are driving fairly fast on the highway when it breaks, this can be a serious safety issue. Depending on the type of car you drive, we recommend replacing your timing belt every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Check your owner’s manual to see the recommendations. It should be part of your regularly scheduled performance maintenance routine. If it’s a preowned car, look into the history of the repairs to see if the timing belt has been replaced.