Like most people, you have probably had the misfortune of experiencing an automotive breakdown at least once or twice since you first got behind the wheel. Fortunately, by knowing about the various parts of your vehicle that need to be inspected regularly, you can avoid many problems. One of the most crucial parts under your vehicle’s hood is the timing belt, which essentially acts as an orchestra leader and keeps the other parts running smoothly. If you’re wondering why the timing belt should be inspected at just the right mileage, here are a few good reasons.
Breaking and Shredding
If you ignore your timing belt, it will eventually break and even shred while you are driving. When this happens, you will be going nowhere fast. In addition, your engine will likely need some very expensive repairs, which will have your vehicle out of service for several days at a minimum. If your car has a timing chain rather than a timing belt, should this chain break it will do even more serious damage to your engine that could potentially lead to a total loss for the engine.
Spark Plugs and Valves
Just as its name implies, your vehicle’s timing belt is responsible for ensuring the various parts of your engine all run smoothly and compliment one another. Thus, if your timing belt is in poor shape, it will adversely affect the spark plugs and valves for your engine, causing it to run poorly and start “knocking,” meaning the timing is way off. If you start to notice this problem, seek out an automotive repair specialist whom you can trust to take care of the issue. Remember to listen carefully to your engine every now and then while you are driving, as the sound can tell you just as much as looking under the hood with an untrained eye can.
Follow Manufacturer Recommendations
Even if your vehicle’s timing belt still looks fine, you should nevertheless follow the recommendations of your manufacturer and have it changed anyway at the appropriate mileage. For the best results, it is usually recommended the timing belt be changed every 10,000 miles. While you can do this inspection yourself and even change the belt on your own, it is best to take your vehicle to an experienced mechanic if you have any questions or if you’ve noticed your car driving differently.
Timing Belt vs Timing Chain
While most vehicles today have a timing belt, some are equipped with a timing chain instead. Thus, you should know which type your vehicle has in regards to when it will need to be inspected and possibly replaced. While timing chains don’t need to be replaced as frequently as timing belts, they are more expensive to replace should they break. You can search for your car make and model online to get this information, or even ask a local mechanic or lube shop next time you are getting your oil changed.
By keeping track of your vehicle’s maintenance schedule and making sure your timing belt is inspected every 10,000 miles or so, you can have peace of mind while traveling down the road.
