# 2003 Toyota Avalon - Timing belt change?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-toyota-avalon-timing-belt-change/128454>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** toyota\
**Created:** [November 8, 2018, 4:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-toyota-avalon-timing-belt-change/128454 "2018-11-08T16:13:53Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![JimHansen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@JimHansen](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JimHansen)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 4:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-toyota-avalon-timing-belt-change/128454/1 "2018-11-08T16:13:53Z")

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My 2003 Toyota Avalon V-6 has 79,000 miles on it. Should the timing belt be replaced?

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**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 4:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-toyota-avalon-timing-belt-change/128454/2 "2018-11-08T16:43:58Z")

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Jim, the belt is changed by miles or months and that info is in your owners manual . This thing is 15 years old and if that is the original belt you are on borrowed time now.

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**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2018, 10:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-toyota-avalon-timing-belt-change/128454/3 "2018-11-08T22:12:55Z")

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Agree with @VOLVO_V70 If the belt has never been changed, you are WAY overdue on time. Likely a bit overdue on mileage. Either time or mileage can fail the belt. Get it replaced NOW!

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**Author:** ![GorehamJ](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/gorehamj/32/24103_2.png) [@GorehamJ](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GorehamJ)\
**Post date:** [November 9, 2018, 4:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-toyota-avalon-timing-belt-change/128454/4 "2018-11-09T16:57:54Z")

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YES. “Your cost of ownership is unchanged whether you do it now or in a year. Either way you pay. Once the car is past its drivetrain warranty, you are on your own. Why not get it done a bit sooner rather than later? Remember, wait too long and the downside is huge.” [More on timing belts here.](http://bestride.com/news/technology/when-should-i-change-my-timing-belt)

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**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\
**Post date:** [November 9, 2018, 6:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-toyota-avalon-timing-belt-change/128454/5 "2018-11-09T18:12:59Z")

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I’m curious why you don’t believe the instructions from the manufacturer here.