Most people know the frequency of their oil changes and tire rotations, but they don’t give much thought when it comes to their timing belt replacement. When drivers forget about these components, it can break when you least expect it. Unfortunately, it can be as worse as it sounds, causing expensive repairs and irreversible engine damage. Let the team at J&S Automotive take care of your vehicle and replace your vehicle’s timing belt at an appropriate time.
To understand the extent of the service, you should understand the role of the timing belt. This engine component connects the crankshaft and camshafts. The belt keeps these parts synchronized so that your car engine can run seamlessly. The belt controls the movement with its ridges or “teeth”. When these teeth wear out, the movements will become more jagged.
Depending on what your vehicle’s make and model and the quality of your timing belt, you should plan to replace your timing belt every 75,000 to 100,000 miles. Most car manufacturers will have the interval specified in the owner’s manual.
You can also anticipate your vehicle’s timing belt replacement by keeping an eye out on the following warning signs:
- Laggy or sluggish acceleration
- Clicking or ticking noises under the hood
- Oil leaks or low oil pressure
- Engine starting problems
- Physical wear and tear on the belt (fraying, glazing, cracking, etc.)
If your timing belt has given off the symptoms above, please be sure to bring your car to the team at J&S Automotive soon. A snapped timing belt can put you on the side of the road. Even if your car isn’t nearing its 75K mile mark yet, feel free to ask one of our technicians to check on your timing belt.