While it may be easy to disregard your car's timing belt, it plays an integral role in the mechanics of your vehicle. The timing belt is considered an engine part that is in charge of harmoniously rotating the engine's camshaft and crankshaft. Without it, your cylinders would not fire at the right time.
You can typically locate your vehicle's timing belt under a cover near the front side of the engine. It is made with high-performance-quality rubber, and it requires a replacement approximately every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. You can determine whether you need a replacement soon by examining it for apparent weak signs.
Like any piece of car machinery, a timing belt will decline with time and usage. You can refer to your owner's manual for an approximate time to change your timing belt. The manufacturer will typically recommend a time frame before the belt has a chance to break or snap. A broken timing belt can cause severe engine damage, so it's best to take it to an auto repair shop as soon as you notice failing symptoms.
If your timing belt is beginning to wear down, you may experience any of these aging signs:
- Physical signs of wear and tear on the strap, such as fraying or cracking
- A ticking sound coming from the engine
- Your engine misfires or stalls
- Your engine runs rough
- You fail an exhaust test or have frequent exhaust problems
- You have troubles with your RPMs
- You notice lower fuel efficiency
- Overall poor vehicle performance
If you think that you need a timing belt replacement soon, our technicians at Prestige Autohaus can check your belt for you. Please call or visit our auto service shop in Walnut Creek, CA, today!