Folks,

I got an '02 Civic back in Jan'02. It's at 53k miles - and since I started working from home, I put maybe 2k mi/yr on it now.

The manual says change the Timing Belt at something over 100k miles.

But rubber ages. I've seen suggestions that I should change it at 8 years.

Info appreciated.

 

If the belt isn't cracked, chipped, or damaged in any way, change it every 90,000-100,000 miles. If it's physically damaged (chipped, cracked, etc), change it regardless of mileage.

Also, it's heavily recommended to change your water pump and timing belt tensioner at the same mileage interval, but not required. Personally, I think it's better to change them at the same time than risk your water pump going out and your car overheating.

 

I appreciate the response. I'll probably get to 90k miles in about the year 2020 (possibly later).

So you're saying that as long as there are no problems visually, the timing belt will be OK until then?

 

I wouldn't worry about it till it was around 15 years old if you never reach 100k miles. I had a 2002 Civic that I got on trade with 145,000 miles on the original belt. I got rid of the car quick, but buyer knew that the belt needed changing badly.

Yes, always change the water pump and tensioner when changing the belt. I don't always change the tensioners, but i should.