Because these cars have high value and popularity, and the fact that most models do not suffer serious consequences due to a failed belt, timing belt replacements can provide many years and miles of additional service. I didn’t take the time to add up the numbers, but suffice it to say that there are many millions of Toyota and Lexus vehicles out there that still need routine timing belt changes. Historically, Toyota has made far more chain-driven engines than belt-driven ones, and their durability index has stayed consistently high because of the use of chains. Toyota and its luxury division Lexus have converted almost all of their current vehicles to chain-driven designs. With DOHC and multi-valve designs being the norm today, a lot of manufacturers have gone back to chains for their durability, reduced maintenance costs and consistency in designing more efficient and powerful engines. Of course, some manufacturers use both, even on the same engine. Over the years, nearly every manufacturer has built a model or a few models that became lemons before their time, just because they had a belt instead of a chain or gear drive. Many car manufacturers earned a reputation for building junk when their engines failed prematurely due to belt failure. ![]() Early timing belt designs showed the strengths and weaknesses of driving the camshaft(s) with a rubber belt, often with disastrous results. Automotive engine design has changed over the last 40 years since timing belts first came into broad use.
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