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WHY REPLACE MY TIMING BELT?
American Pride Automotive • Sep 01, 2014
At your vehicle’s last service appointment, did the auto technician recommend timing belt replacement? Did you decline it based on cost? Waiting to replace an old timing belt is a giant gamble and the life of your engine is at stake.
When in good condition, the timing belt and its components prolong the life of the engine and keep it running smoothly. In poor condition, the timing belt can contribute to catastrophic engine failure and sky-high repair costs. That’s why it’s vital that a car owner replaces the belt anywhere from 60 to 100,000 miles (according to the maintenance schedule in a vehicle’s owners manual). Unfortunately, many people put off this necessary maintenance service until the timing belt breaks and causes far bigger engine problems—the difference between a $500 repair and a several thousand dollar repair.
The timing belt and its components control the operation of the engine’s exhaust valves by keeping the crankshaft and camshaft operating in sync (hence: “timing” belt). The system, or “kit,” is made up of the belt, tensioners, idler pulleys, seals and, if applicable, the water pump. Learn more about the importance of the timing belt kit and how it works here.
It is recommended that when replacing the belt, you also replace all components. At American Pride, we are proud to install Gates timing belt kits, as they are first-in-class in quality and customer satisfaction. Gates provides an industry-leading warranty that covers not only the timing belt kit components, but your entire enginefor the duration of the vehicle’s manufacturer-recommended replacement interval. Though not an inexpensive service, installing a new timing belt kit is an essential part of vehicle maintenance and far less costly than the alternative of full engine replacement.
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You’re driving home at night and it is raining cats and dogs. You can’t see but 20 feet in front of your car, but you’ve slowed down and are being extra cautious, so what could go wrong? Then you feel it. A sinking Cl-clunk. Maybe that “puddle” you saw ahead of you was deeper than just a puddle. Before you know it, your car is stalling in the high water in the middle of the road. Now what? First off, don’t panic. Turn on your hazards and crank the ignition once. If the car starts, make it dry land and pull over to assess the damage. If it does not start the first time, do not try to start it again. Doing so can result in a hydro locked engine and will likely necessitate the rebuilding or replacement of the engine. Unfortunately, if you find yourself stalling in water at all, your vehicle will probably need costly repairs. The best way to avoid water damage is to practice safe and smart driving in wet weather, which brings us to Part 2 of the Everything Auto “Blame it on the Rain” series (Find Part 1 here). Take heed of these severe weather driving tips: 1. TAKE NO CHANCES ON PUDDLES Even if the standing water ahead of you looks shallow enough to drive through, think twice. If the water is “rushing” or if other drivers are making a point to avoid it, don’t assume that your vehicle is the exception. Additionally, you never know the hazards that lay at the bottom of a puddle. Hidden potholes or debris can pierce your tires and jostle your alignment and suspension system. 2. IF YOU MUST TAKE A CHANCE, TAKE IT SLOW AND STEADY When you deem it necessary and safe to drive through water of questionable depth, go slowly. Speeding through a puddle, even a shallow one, can splash water into your vehicle’s intake and critically harm the engine. Like we mentioned last week, after driving through standing water, lightly tap your brakes to make sure they aren’t saturated and to dry them off. 3. KEEP A ROADSIDE EMERGENCY KIT HANDY Sometimes, no matter how careful you are on the road, accidents and vehicle malfunctions happen, especially in wet severe weather. That’s why it is extremely important to keep emergency supplies ready in the trunk for the worst case scenario. You can buy a preassembled one, but it is cheaper (and more rewarding) to assemble your own. What should you include? Edmunds.com provides an excellent comprehensive list of items, a few of which include: 12-foot jumper cables Four 15 minute road flares Two quarts of oil A gallon of antifreeze A first-aid kit. Find the rest of the list here We hope that this series has given you helpful safety insights and tips for driving in the rain! Remember that American Pride Automotive is always here to help and ready to answer any and all of your auto repair and maintenance questions! Call or contact us today.
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