Why Do I Need to Change My Timing Belt?

It’s a question of how often, not if, based on the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer or a mechanic who finds the belt is stretched or damaged. Some manufacturers recommend changing the timing belt every 60,000 miles, others recommend longer intervals. The timing belt connects the crankshaft to the camshafts so valves open and close at the right time. If the belt breaks, the engine can’t run. On some engines, a broken belt can cause serious internal damage. Many engines have a timing chain instead of a belt that typically doesn’t need periodic replacement.