When did cars stop having timing belts?
There isn’t a single year when cars stopped using timing belts. While timing belts have largely been phased out in favor of timing chains in many modern engines, belts are still used in a subset of vehicles today. The industry’s shift occurred gradually over the past two decades, with chains becoming the standard on most new engines by the 2010s, though belts linger in certain budget or legacy designs.
In this article, we’ll explore how and why that shift happened, explain how to tell whether a given car uses a belt or a chain, and highlight maintenance considerations for drivers navigating these systems in the modern era.
A brief history: belts, chains, and the engineering trade-offs
Here is a concise timeline of how the industry moved away from timing belts toward timing chains, along with the practical reasons behind the change.
- Early to mid-2000s: Automakers began adopting timing chains or chain-like solutions for new engines to reduce maintenance needs and extend service life.
- Late 2000s to early 2010s: Chains became standard in a growing share of compact and mid-size engines across many brands, driven by reliability and customer expectations for longer intervals between maintenance.
- 2010s to present: Timing chains dominate most new automotive engines, while timing belts remain in use only for select small-displacement or lower-cost designs, and in some older model families still in production or legacy fleets.
Industry practices vary by manufacturer and engine family. For individual vehicles, the exact timing system is documented in the owner’s manual or service documentation, and a mechanic can verify during inspection.
How to tell if your car has a timing belt or a timing chain
Understanding the timing system in your vehicle is important for maintenance planning and avoiding costly failures. Use this guidance to identify the system in your car.
- Check the owner’s manual or maintenance schedule: It will specify whether the engine uses a timing belt and its replacement interval, or a timing chain.
- Look up your engine code or model online: Manufacturer specifications for timing belts vs. chains are typically listed in technical documentation or repair databases.
- Ask a dealership or trusted mechanic: If you’re unsure, a quick inspection can reveal the timing cover and belt/chain configuration without disassembly.
- Be aware of maintenance implications: Belts require periodic replacement (commonly around 60,000–100,000 miles, depending on the model), while chains typically last longer but may require attention to tensioners or guides at high mileage.
Regardless of the system, following the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule is the best way to protect the engine from timing-related failures.
Maintenance implications and safety
Time and mileage can take a toll differently on belts and chains. A broken timing belt can cause severe engine damage in interference engines, while a failed timing chain is less likely to cause immediate catastrophic damage but can still lead to costly repairs if tensioners or guides fail. Routine checks and timely replacement of components associated with belts or chains help prevent unexpected failures.
For drivers, the key takeaway is to know which system your car uses and to adhere to the specified maintenance timeline. If you’re buying a used car, confirm whether a belt or a chain is present and review the service history for belt replacements or related component work.
Bottom line: what this means for drivers
The shift away from timing belts is ongoing but not absolute. While timing chains now drive the majority of new engines, timing belts persist in certain models—particularly some small-displacement or older designs—so belts aren’t extinct. The safest approach is to verify your specific vehicle’s timing system and follow the recommended maintenance schedule accordingly.
Summary
There is no universal cutoff date for timing belts. The industry gradually moved toward timing chains from the early 2000s onward, with chains becoming the standard on most new engines by the 2010s. However, timing belts remain in use on a subset of engines today, mainly in smaller or budget-focused designs. To know which system your car uses and what maintenance is required, consult the owner’s manual or a qualified mechanic, and plan maintenance around the manufacturer’s guidelines.
