How often do timing belts go out?

How often do timing belts go out, and at around what average mileage? I know most manufacturers recommend 60k miles. It seems it's the new buzz to hit people with timing belt changes, yet in all the cars I've owned I've never had to have one replaced.
How often do timing belts go out?
It depends on the car.



Crappy cars like the Chevy Aveo will break a belt at 50k-60k miles.



Decent cars recommend replacing them at 100k-120k.



Check your owners manual to get the recommended replacement interval.



Whether you replace it before or after it breaks depends on what kind of motor you have. There are 2 types -



Non-interference - in this motor the valves and pistons can never %26quot;interfere%26quot; with each other. Some Toyota motors and others are such.



Interference - in this motor, the valves and pistons can %26quot;interfere%26quot;. That means if the timing belt breaks you WILL bend valves because they will be in the way when a piston reaches the top of its travel. This is VERY expensive - $1500+ Most Honda motors are interference type because they allow for a shorter motor and lower hood profile.



Either way, if the belt breaks you will be stranded and guaranteed a charge for a tow truck as well.



I personally would never let the timing belt go longer than about 20% over recommended mileage.
How often do timing belts go out?
one or twice on a vehicles life. dont change till its broken. even if u risk ur life. thats like replacing every car part. bs.
I'd recommend the mileage in your owners manual.

If sitting roadside waiting for a wrecker is OK with you...Wait till it breaks...

if you chose the wait option,you might make sure you don't have an engine that will be damaged if the belt breaks also,that can get expensive. depends on your luck.
You'll find timing belt in foreign cars like Toyota, Honda, and Mitsubishi, don't wait until the break to replace them they will cause more damge to the engine if they break. Newer model now come with chain instead of rubber belt. Your other cars were probobly domestic cars with chain belts.
The timing belt is not a new thing, it has been around for years. The need to replace it is due to the importance of what it does. It keeps the valves in the correct position when the piston comes up to compress the gases and create the power that you need to have forward motion. When the belt brakes, the timing of the valves and pistons is no longer there and a lot of internal damage can take place. Not to mention being stuck where ever it breaks. You don't drive your tires till they go flat, you put on new ones so you won't have a problem. Same goes for a timing belt.
Go with the owners manual. If it breaks it could cause severe damage to the engine because the valves can hit the pistons. It is preventative maintenance.
WHAT KIND OF CAR!?!?!?!?!?! Year, make, model, engine size, country of origin?!?!?!! MORE INFO!?!?!?! Read your owner's manual. Many modern engines are interference fit engines. This improves MPG's and power, but can cause a disaster if the belt is NOT changed in time. Cars that have timing CHAINS, even need to be replaced, depending on age and manufacturer. READ YOUR MANUAL!!!!