|
Timing Belt Change
I changed my timing belt on my Lexus ES 300 around 100,000 miles. When should it be changed again?
|
At 200k miles..
|
100k mile intervals is ok, but the manual says 90k for the 2002 ES300, I pretty sure the 99-01 is 60k or 80k though.
|
100k is a good interval. 90k is "book." Both are very safe.
On all the 1mz's (96+), there is in fact a 60k interval, but it is for severe service (taxi? In Haiti?). 90k otherwise. 100k is a reasonable rounding. It is conservative so as to avoid the slightest risk of failure. You can go longer, but your risk increases. I like round-ish numbers so 100k for a t-belt is good. The tensioner MUST be replaced at the same time (much more important than the water pump, etc.). |
Ditto on the 100k interval. The 1mz-fe engine is non-interference. If the timing belt breaks, put a new one on and continue driving.
|
I'm a low milage guy - 2006 with 55K miles going on 12 years with the original belt. The car is garage kept. . How many years would you stretch it out?
|
Two factors apply... Age/Deterioration and Wear/Tear = 100K every time. |
Toyota and Lexus recommend timing belt replacement on this engine at 90,000 miles or nine years. Actual service life will depend a lot on environmental and use conditions.
Since your specific question is age, I think 10 years is a reasonable replacement interval. |
I'm a low milage guy - 2006 with 55K miles going on 12 years with the original belt. The car is garage kept. . How many years would you stretch it out?
|
Given the rate of what you drive now (roughly 4,600 mpy X 12 yrs), you have nearly 11 years to go before hitting the Big 100K Mark and your belt’s age would be almost 150% out of date and that might be pushing it a tad. Add in the odds of something else going bad that would put you “mechanically” in the position to change it out then, any kind of answer would also include a fair share of Murphy’s Law thus... I suspect 2-3 more years, which will put you at 50% out of recommended range, is a plausible answer, but. I feel sure there are tens of thousands of Toyota and Lexus autos “out there” whose timing belts have never been touched until they dropped dead from it. An enthusiast here or anywhere would have had it replaced, no matter. For someone who drives an easy 4.6K a year, just go for it and get back with us when it breaks. lol |
Unless in severe service, I would go by mileage and not age.
I would only consider age when I was operating it at high revs and in very high heat. Those are the things that really age the belt material - mainly the outer rubber. The material just does not really age sitting idle. I would lean toward mileage and not sweat the age. Earlier belt materials had problems, but since the mid/late 90s, it hasn't been such an issue. |
| All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:14 PM. |
© 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands