This page will be updated with the official timing belt replacement recommendations by make and model. At this time only a few makes and models are available, but we are currently working on it. Please bookmark this for future reference.

Timing belts can and do fail – usually with little or no warning. The risk of belt failure goes up considerably once a belt surpasses its recommended replacement interval, which is typically 60,000 miles for belts in older vehicles (those built before 1990 to 1998), and 90,000 to 100,000 miles or more for newer vehicles.

Alhough today’s timing belts last longer than before, the same cannot be said for timing belts in older engines – even if the vehicle manufacturer does not publish a recommended replacement interval. Fact is, any belt can fail if the reinforcing cords inside the belt become weak and break.

The internal cords prevent the belt from stretching and jumping time. The cords are under tremendous tension, and eventually the combination of constant flexing and heat causes them to weaken. If the belt is not replaced before total failure occurs, it will fail sooner or later. That is almost a certainty. It may go 60,000, 80,000, 100,000 or even 120,000 miles without a hitch. Or it may not even make it to 60,000 miles depending on operating conditions, load and rpm.

A visual inspection will not tell you much about a timing belt unless it is in a really bad condition. Belts that still look like new on the outside may be dangerously weak on the inside and on the verge of failure. That is why most vehicle manufacturers usually recommend replacing the timing belt at a specific mileage interval (see below).

Regardless of mileage, any timing belt that shows obvious damage such as frayed or exposed cords, damaged teeth, hunks of rubber missing, deep cracks, excessive surface cracking or severe glazing should be replaced without delay! Small surface cracks on the ribbing are considered normal but extensive or deep cracks are not.

Belt replacement is also recommended anytime the cylinder head has to come off of the engine, or when replacing a water pump that is driven by the timing belt. In both cases the belt has to be removed anyway to make the other repairs so there is no extra labor required to replace it.

Many motorists will delay a timing belt replacement because it costs so much. The belt itself may not be that expensive, but the labor to change it might. It is also a very good idea to replace the water pump at the same time if the pump is mounted behind the belt. You do not want to do this job twice, and most water pumps have about the same lifespan as the belt. The total job can easily cost $600 to $800 or more depending on the vehicle. That is a lot of money to most people, but postponing the recommended maintenance can cost them a lot more!

Many motorists may not know timing belts have a limited lifespan and that the vehicle manufacturer lists a recommended replacement interval. Explaining what it might cost to repair an engine with bent valves versus the cost to change the belt now might be all it takes to convince them of the value of preventive maintenance.

The standard aftermarket recommendation for replacing OHC (over head cam) timing belts has traditionally been 60,000 miles – which is still a valid number for most older vehicles. But newer belts last longer and may go 90,000 to 100,000 miles before the risk of failure starts to increase. With Acura and Honda, this means most 1990 and newer models. For Toyota, it is most 1998 and newer models.

According to Gates Rubber Company’s “Timing Belt Replacement Manual,” these are the “official” belt replacement recommendations Acura, Honda and Toyota make for their specific engines.

Note: On applications where no specific mileage recommendation is given, it does not mean the timing belt will last indefinitely and can be ignored. It only means the vehicle manufacturer did not commit to a specific replacement interval and recommends the belt be replaced “as needed.”

Also Note: On Acura and Honda applications with 105,000-mile recommended replacement intervals, this does not include vehicles that are operated in extreme climates (below -20 degrees F or above 110 degrees F). For extreme climate conditions, the replacement interval is reduced to 60,000 miles.

Honda also makes a time recommendation as well as a mileage on the newer applications: 105,000 miles/84 months, or 90,000 miles/72 months depending on the engine.

Acura Timing Belt Replacement Mileage:

1997-98 Integra 1.8L – 105,000 miles
1997-98 NSX, 3.0L & 3.2L – 105,000 miles
1997-98 2.5TL 5-cyl. – 105,000 miles
1997-98 3.0CL V6 – 105,000 miles
1997-98 3.5RL V6 – 105,000 miles
1998 SLX 3.5L – 75,000 miles
1998 2.3CL – 105,000 miles
1996-97 SLX 3.2L V6 – 60,000 miles
1997 2.2CL – 90,000 miles
1995-96 2.5TL 5-cyl. – 90,000 miles
1996 3.2TL – 90,000 miles
1991-96 Integra 1.7L & 1.8L – 90,000 miles
1991-96 NSX 3.0L V6 – 90,000 miles
1991-95 Legend 3.2L V6 – 90,000 miles
1992-94 Vigor 2.5L 5-cyl. – 90,000 miles
1990 Integra 1.8L – 90,000 miles
1990 Legend 2.7L V6 – None
1986-89 Integra 1.6L – None
1986-89 – Legend 2.5L & 2.7L – None

Honda Timing Belt Replacement Mileage:

1994-98 Passport 3.2L V6 – 90,000 miles
1998 Accord 3.0L V6 – 105,000 miles
1998 Accord & Odyssey 2.3L – 105,000 miles
1998 Civic 1.6L – 105,000 miles
1998 CRV 2.0L – 105,000 miles
1998 Prelude 2.2L – 105,000 miles
1995-97 Accord 2.7L V6 – None
1995-97 Odyssey 2.2L – 90,000 miles
1992-97 Prelude 2.2L & 2.3L – 90,000 miles
1990-97 Accord 2.2L – 90,000 miles
1990-97 Civic 1.6L – 90,000 miles
1997 CRV 2.0L – 60,000 miles
1994-96 Passport 2.6L – 90,000 miles
1988-1996 Civic Del Sol 1.6L – 90,000 miles
1990-95 Civic 1.5L – 90,000 miles
1990-91 CRX 1.5L – 90,000 miles
1990-91 Prelude 2.0L & 2.1L – 90,000 miles
1988-1991 Civic & CRX 1.6L – None
1986-89 Accord & Prelude 2.0L – None
1984-89 CRX 1.3L & 1.5L – None
1979-1987 Prelude 1.8L – None
1974-1987 Civic 1.3L – None
1979-1985 Accord 1.8L – None

Toyota Timing Belt Replacement Mileage:

1998 Camry & Celica 2.2L – 90,000 miles
1998 Land Cruiser 4.7L V8 – None
1998 RAV4 2.0L – 90,000 miles
1998 Supra 3.0L – 90,000 miles
1998 Tacoma, T100 & 4Runner 3.4L V6 – 90,000 miles
1998 Tercel 1.5L – 90,000 miles
1996-97 RAV4 2.0L – 60,000 miles
1996-97 4Runner 3.4L V6 – 60,000 miles
1995-97 Avalon 3.0L V6 – 60,000 miles
1995-97 Tacoma, T100 3.4L V6 – 60,000 miles
1995-97 Tercel 1.5L – 60,000 miles
1994-97 Celica 1.8L – 60,000 miles
1993-97 Corolla 1.8L – 60,000 miles
1992-97 Camry 3.0L V6 – 60,000 miles
1992-97 Paseo 1.5L – 60,000 miles
1990-97 Celica 2.2L – 60,000 miles
1988-1997 Corolla 1.6L – 60,000 miles
1986-1997 Supra 3.0L – 60,000 miles
1991-95 MR2 2.0L & 2.2L – 60,000 miles
1988-1995 Pickup & 4Runner 3.0L V6 – 60,000 miles
1993-94 Celica All-Trac 2.0L – 60,000 miles
1993-94 T100 3.0L V6 – 60,000 miles
1988-1994 Tercel 1.5L – 60,000 miles
1986-1994 Celica 2.0L – 60,000 miles
1990-93 Celica 1.6L – 60,000 miles
1989-1992 Cressida 3.0L – 60,000 miles
1988-1991 Camry 2.5L V6 – 60,000 miles
1983-1991 Camry 2.0L – 60,000 miles
1985-89 MR2 1.6L – 60,000 miles
1983-88 Corolla 1.6L – 60,000 miles
1983-88 Cressida 2.8L – 60,000 miles
1984-87 Pickup 2.4L – 60,000 miles
1980-87 Tercel 1.5L – 60,000 miles
1983-86 Camry & Corolla 1.8L – 60,000 miles

Adapted from an article written by Larry Carley for Underhood Service magazine