I took my car in for service 4, and they called back saying I need to replace my timing belt. I reluctantly agreed, but it will cost about $200, even though I feel like my car should still be fine. It’s a 2021 Mazda 3 with 47,000 km. Are they trying to scam me?
A timing belt service shouldn’t cost $200. I don’t think your Mazda3 even has a timing belt. It’s probably the serpentine belt that drives your accessories.
Drew said:
A timing belt service shouldn’t cost $200. I don’t think your Mazda3 even has a timing belt. It’s probably the serpentine belt that drives your accessories.
Yeah, we have chains, no timing belts. It’s likely the serpentine or maybe the water pump.
Drew said:
A timing belt service shouldn’t cost $200. I don’t think your Mazda3 even has a timing belt. It’s probably the serpentine belt that drives your accessories.
The price usually depends on the hourly rate. My dealership charges $199 per hour for work. The labor for an accessory belt (which we often mistakenly call the timing belt) is typically 1 hour. So in this case, $200 seems reasonable, but you could do it yourself pretty easily.
You must have misheard. A timing belt replacement would cost a lot more. Plus, your car doesn’t have one; the Mazda3 has a timing chain that should last the life of the car.
It’s likely the accessory (serpentine) belt, which shouldn’t need replacement until over 100,000 km unless it’s damaged somehow.
Ask them why they want to replace it.
If it’s just the belt, that’s excessive. If it’s the belt and tensioner, that could be fair, but again, it shouldn’t need replacing at that mileage.
Also, check your manual for a complete schedule of when different parts should be serviced or replaced.
@Val
Mazda belts tend to wear out quickly. I’ve seen some CX-5s, CX-30s, and Mazda3s that needed new belts after only 30-40k miles (48-64k km).
Lux said:
@Val
Mazda belts tend to wear out quickly. I’ve seen some CX-5s, CX-30s, and Mazda3s that needed new belts after only 30-40k miles (48-64k km).
Everything seems to wear out quickly these days. I replaced the one on my 2008 model last year (only 130,000 km), and it still looked great.
@Val
It really depends on your driving conditions.
Indigo said:
@Val
It really depends on your driving conditions.
Definitely. I’m in a cooler climate with stable humidity. Rubber parts tend to last longer here.
Your car doesn’t have a timing belt. You should take it to another mechanic next time.
Pretty sure it has a timing chain. A timing chain replacement would definitely cost more than $200.
That’s probably the serpentine or accessory belt, and $200 is way too much.
I just replaced the serpentine belt on my 2018 Mazda3 with 120,000 miles. It needed replacement but wasn’t in immediate danger of breaking. I doubt yours needs replacing unless it was damaged.
They are definitely scamming you.
There’s no way an accessory belt should need changing at that age unless someone damaged it.
What engine is Mazda using a timing belt in these days? It certainly won’t be in the Skyactiv-G engines.
Mazda hasn’t used timing belts for a long time; they all have timing chains that usually don’t fail unless in extreme situations.
Are you sure they didn’t mean your serpentine belt? If so, that would make sense.
@Mckinley
That fits with the price, too.
It’s pretty common for drive belts to snap on Skyactiv models. I’m not sure why.
It’s the serpentine belt. You have a timing chain, which costs a lot more than $200 to replace.
Look up some videos to learn about the belt they say needs replacing and what it should look like. Then ask them to show you the issues. Compare what you’ve seen with what they show you. Mechanics profit from our lack of knowledge. If you’re not convinced, get a second opinion from another mechanic without telling them the first one said it needed replacement. Just say you noticed something and ask if it’s a problem.