My quick story...I previously owned and loved a '98 LS that I purchased with 225k miles and drove it until someone hit and totaled the car at 337k miles. It's always been my goal to crack 400k and maybe even 500k. I picked up an '04 LS in Feb. 2021 with 306k miles. I paid $2k for the car. The first thing I did was change the timing belt as it had not been done since 91k, 10 years ago. 215k miles on this belt. With very little mechanical skills, I changed it myself (along with the water pump, pulleys, tensioner, radiator, radiator hoses, thermostat, pcv valve, drivebelt, spark plugs and more, with the help of this forum, youtube videos and tutorials, as well as connecting with a great member here who happened to be at the same timing belt change step on the very same car as mine! I wouldn't make a claim that these belts can go far past 90k or not. I think that is dependent on climate, driving style and other factors but clearly if you value your LS enough, it is good insurance. I hope to share some pics after I get it cleaned up a bit more. Now I need to go work on my car addiction so I can focus on putting some miles on this baby and report back at 400k!

 

 

Thanks for posting.... Just another example of how our OEM timing belts can go way way over the 90,000 miles recommended replacement schedule.

 

Cracking belt Gromit! <LOL>
If I saw that on mine I'd freak out.
Did it live somewhere hot and dry?

Mine was changed at 75k / 6 years ago.
Now at 125k so I'll get mine changed at 150k and then forget about it for another 90k.
Good luck on the mileage goal. We'll be watching. :-)

 

I sure hope they can go much further! I would hope Lexus engineers were aware that making them so they break at 100K would be a BAD idea. Having a 100% safety margin is good, not bad. In fact having a 200% safety margin is good since the engineers have NO CONTROL over how the cars are driven or in what environment they are kept. I dont know about others, but I will change mine at 90K because I dont want to change my engine if it breaks....and you will change your engine if it breaks. Look up "interferance engine" if you dont believe me.

 

I learned in the fall the manufacturer's err on the side of extreme caution with these, but I would NEVER wait that long. You don't need to speed to the mechanic right at 90k or 9 years, but don't push it too far, especially since like @BigBoomer and @jimisbell said, how and where was it owned?

 

It spent it's life in Wisconsin and northern Illinois. The weather may have been a factor but I think it was just excessive wear due to the miles. I have seen pics of belts with the wear on the ribbed side. Mine was the opposite. While I didn't dare drive the car until after I replaced it, the cracks weren't super deep and made me wonder how far it could have survived. I'm sure someone out there has a claim to the longest lasting belt. That is not a record I would want to set!

 

Haha! Exactly. I mean, how do you know if you set the record?! It could cost you your car to find out.