Some parts on your automobile are easy to see when they need replacing. The tread may wear down on your tires, or the fluid in your washer tank runs low. For other parts, its more important to maintain them on a regular basis based on an interval specified by your car’s manufacturer.

Replacing your timing belt is one such part. For most vehicles, your timing belt needs to be changed between 60,000 to 75,000 miles.

Your cars timing belt is a ribbed band of rubber and fiber that controls the timing of your engine’s valvetrain. In connects the crankshaft with the camshaft. It’s a necessary piece of your engine, and if it breaks, your car shuts down. Whether you’re at home, at work, or hundreds of miles from home on vacation, you’ll need to repair your car immediately after the timing belt breaks.

Your timing belt gives no indication of wear or impending failure – it simply snaps when you’re driving and leaves you stranded. While it may seem unfounded to change something with no problems, the alternative can cause you nothing but headaches.

In the case of replacing your timing belt, an ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure.