What Does a Timing Belt Do?

There are many components that are essential to keep your car running smoothly. One of those components is the timing belt. Let’s take a closer look at what a timing belt is, what it does in your car, and what kind of maintenance it needs.

What is a Timing Belt?

The timing belt is a belt in your engine that ensures the parts of the engine run in time with each other. The belt is used to synchronize the opening and closing of valves in the engine so that everything runs smoothly and optimally.

When Should it Be Replaced?

Because the timing belt is so integral to the engine, it is essential to replace it before it wears down or breaks. Because of the location of the timing belt it is a fairly complicated process to replace it, but it is very important. Because of this each car has a recommended interval that the timing belt should be replaced. Generally this is recommended every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. Having a belt that is in good shape and running properly is essential and a bad belt can cause extensive damage.

What Happens if it Isn’t Replaced?

If you ignore the manufacturer’s recommendations for timing belt service a couple of scenarios can occur. First the timing belt can become too loose. In this scenario the belt may not keep time as well as it should, causing unnecessary wear on the internal parts of the engine.

In some other cases the belt’s teeth can wear down over time causing it to slip and not do its job properly. In this case damage can occur in the engine and be extremely costly to repair. While a timing belt can snap and break, it is not very likely because of how strong it is. Whether the belt is stretched, worn, or broken, any of these scenarios can lead to complete engine failure.

Have you had your timing belt in your car replaced? Are you coming up on the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance interval? Don’t wait until it is too late, schedule service for your vehicle today. At Mighty Auto Pro we are experts in all types of cars and we’d love to help you keep your car running in tip top shape. Call us today to schedule your appointment in our Medina, Ohio car service center.