Posted on 1/30/2026
A timing belt problem rarely starts with obvious signs. It usually starts with a quiet unknown in the background, especially if you bought the car used, or you cannot remember the last time it was replaced. Then you hear one story about a belt breaking without warning, and suddenly you are wondering if you are driving on borrowed time. The good news is you do not have to wait for a scare. If you know how timing belt intervals work, what factors shorten them, and what to replace while you are in there, you can handle it on your schedule instead of getting forced into it. Timing Belt Vs Serpentine Belt The serpentine belt is the one you can usually see. It runs accessories like the alternator and AC. If it fails, you may lose charging or cooling, but it is generally an external repair. A timing belt is different. It lives behind covers and keeps the crankshaft and camshafts synced. That timing is what lets valves open and close at the right moment. If the belt slips ... read more