ky2002

My in-laws are the original owner of 2005 ES with 63K. They plan to trade it in within one year. It is due time for timing belt change. The question is - can they keep driving it for one more year with old timing belt? How likely it will be broken within one year?

I assume there are a lot of cushions for manufacturer's suggestions of maintaince. Does it mean we are safe with the old belt?

Please advise.

Mike728

This forum is for 2013 to present ES's. You should ask your question in THIS forum. Good luck!

lesz

I agree that you are more likely to get helpful responses in the ES Generation 4 forum, but, as a former owner of a 2006 ES, I can give a little information.

My recollection is that the maintenance schedule calls for a timing belt replacement at 90,000 miles or 6 years. I've been told by mechanics that, if the vehicle's mileage is low, risk is probably fairly low if you push the time a bit, but I'm not sure that I would want to push it past about 10 years. I know that my 2005 GX has a similar interval. I only have about 48,000 miles on it, and I have not had the timing belt replaced yet, but I will likely have it done sometime during the coming summer.

Also, a quick search found these threads that might give you more information.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...us-at-50k.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...elt-break.html

Another factor to consider is that, depending on its condition and how it is equipped, a 2005 ES currently has a trade-in value of somewhere around $7500 and a retail value about $1000 higher. When the value of a vehicle gets down to that level, I'd seriously consider how much money I want to put into it, and I might be willing to take my chances, especially if it is going to be traded-in within a year.

Dave Mac

It is kind of costly and I would not do it with the timeframe you are talking about. These are good cars and you "should" get by until they trade it in.

Dave Mac

lesz

Adding to what I said above, if you do decide to replace the timing belt, I would suggest having it done at a Toyota dealer, where the cost is likely to be about half what it would be at a Lexus dealer.

gemigniani

The 2005 models have an extra strong and durable timing belt. Considering that even the older style timing belts held up well after 100,000 miles and 15 years, the newer design belt should be even more durable. So I would not change the belt after only 10 years and 65,000 miles unless the water pump was noisy or leaking in which case it would make sense to change the timing belt at the same time as the water pump.