Posted on 4/28/2025
While timing belts and serpentine belts might seem similar at first glance—they’re both rubber belts that help your engine run—they serve very different purposes. Knowing the difference can help you better understand your vehicle’s maintenance needs and avoid costly engine damage. Here's how these two belts work, why they're important, and what signs might indicate trouble. What Is the Timing Belt The timing belt is a critical internal engine component that synchronizes the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft. This precise timing ensures that your engine’s valves open and close at exactly the right moment during the intake and exhaust strokes. If the timing is off—even by a small amount—it can seriously affect engine performance, and in interference engines, it can lead to catastrophic internal damage. Timing belts are typically located behind protective covers and aren’t easily visible. Because of their ro ... read more