Does Toyota Prius Have Timing Belt

Every Toyota Prius engine has an interference timing chain.

Does a Prius require a new timing belt?

The timing belt is in charge of managing the engine’s camshafts. It makes the crankshaft and camshaft rotate in exact “time.” This guarantees that the valve is operating at the proper opening and shutting times. For this method to work correctly, a timing belt in good condition is required. The worst-case situation for a timing belt failure is that the automobile won’t start. In the worst case scenario, a broken belt will result in expensive engine damage.

As a result, timing belts need to be changed according to a set schedule. The issue is, when exactly should you do this for your particular vehicle? Look for your model below:

The belt on an Avalon with a V6 engine that was manufactured between 1995 and 2004 needs to be changed every 60k miles. The timing chain on V6 Avalons manufactured starting in 2005 means that no suggested service is required.

Timing belt replacement is required for 4-cylinder Corolla owners from 1990 to 1997 every 60k miles in order to prevent potential harm from a broken belt. Chains are standard on 4-cylinder Corollas built from 1998 to the present, eliminating the need for a replacement.

The belts on all 19902001 Camrys and 19902006 V6s need to be replaced every 60k miles. V6s made from 1990 on and 4-cylinder Camrys built from 2002 on have chains.

Owners of Prius, rejoice. Any model from any year doesn’t require a new belt because they all have chains already attached.

Due to the fact that every Yaris manufactured comes with a chain, the complete Yaris line has been made simpler in terms of belt maintenance.

Be ready to replace the timing belt on a Sienna with a V6 every 60k miles if you drive one built between 1998 and 2006. Those who possess a 2011 or 2012 4-cylinder Sienna are in luck because both your model year and V6s produced starting in 2007 include a chain.

The V6 engine in Highlanders made between 2001 and 2007 needs a new belt every 60k miles. Owners of 4-cylinder Highlanders manufactured from 2001 to 2007 and V6s manufactured from 2008 have chains; a belt is not necessary.

Timing belt replacement is necessary every 60k miles for V6 4Runner owners from 1990 to 2002 and every 90k miles for V8 4Runner owners from 2003 to 2009.

However, since the 4Runners from these years all feature a chain, you won’t need to bother about changing a belt on 4-cylinder models from 1990 to 2000 or V6 models from 2003 and beyond. The 2010 4Runner includes a chain in addition to 4 cylinders.

Owners of 4-cylinder RAV4s from 1996 to 2000 should plan on changing the timing belt every 90k miles, but owners of 4-cylinder RAV4s from 2001 on have chains. Chains are also standard on V6s made in 2006 and later, so owners don’t have to worry.

Timing belts need to be changed on Sequoias with 4.7 V8 engines built from 2001 to 2009 if the odometer reaches 90k miles. Owners of 5.7 V8 Sequoias from 2008 and after, as well as those of 4.6 V8 Sequoias from 2010 to 2012, have chains.

Don’t worry about the belt; all Venzas produced from 2009 to the present feature a chain.

Get ready to replace your V6 Tundra if you own a 2000 to 2004 model by 60k miles. When the engine’s mileage exceeds 90k miles on a 4.7 V8 engine manufactured between 2000 and 2009, get ready to replace the belt. 2005 to the present saw the production of Tundras with a V6 engine, 2007 to 2014 saw the production of models with a 5.7 V8, and 2010 to 2014 saw the production of models with a 4.6 V8.

At 60k miles, if your Tacoma has a V6 from 1995 to 2004, replace the belt. If your Tacoma has a chain and it has a 4-cylinder engine from 1995 to the present or a V6 from 2005 to the present, you can skip this one.

How long does the timing chain on a Toyota Prius last?

Older cars might have a timing chain, which is comparable to a motorbike chain and has a lifespan of about 60,000 miles. For robustness and long life, more recent models use timing belts consisting of polyurethane and Kevlar. Although they can last up to 100,000 miles, it’s always a good idea to change them before that.

Are repairs for Prius expensive?

Given the added technical complexity and computing prowess of hybrids, it would seem that they would. It’s a misconception that has undoubtedly spread among backyard mechanics. However, that hasn’t held true. The oldest Toyota Prius cars are already more than ten years old, and there are hundreds of thousands of Prius models on American roads (and nearly 900,000 sold), so there isn’t any urgency to replace batteries or expensive powertrain components. Surprisingly, they have proven to be bulletproof.

Replacement of the battery hasn’t proven to be the problem that was anticipated. Many of those older Prius cars still have their original nickel-metal hydride battery pack and have traveled more than 150,000 kilometers. Although the total cost of replacing the battery pack is still close to $3,000, a number of specialized shops have emerged that are willing to do it for a little less. They can also repair the Prius battery pack by replacing just one or a few of its cells in older or collision-damaged models to lessen the financial blow.

That doesn’t sound so bad in a time when the beginning price for a competent automatic-transmission rebuild is around $3,000 or the price of a few other significant front-end or air conditioning repairs.

According to a survey conducted by an insurance claims analysis company last year, repairs to the Prius are around 8.4% more expensive than comparable repairs to other models. In the same study, hybrid cars like the Toyota Camry and Honda Civic only slightly cost more than their non-hybrid counterparts, in large part because of the scarcity of secondhand and aftermarket parts.

Of course, in the end, the Prius has demonstrated that it requires repairs less frequently than many other compact cars, and that’s one of the reasons for its lower ownership costs.

Additionally, since the powertrain’s regenerative braking helps brake pads live longer, you might be able to run longer between oil changes. In theory, the electric motor system should also help protect the old gasoline-burner.

The Prius II (or Prius Two as it is now known for 2011) has an MSRP of $22,800 and a market price of $21,666, according to the ownership-costs specialists at Vincentric. The Prius will only cost $1,406 in repairs and $1,868 in upkeep over the course of five years. A tiny compact automobile typically requires $2,304 in maintenance and $1,557 in repairs. Considering that the average cost of maintaining and repairing a car is about $2,600, the Prius is unquestionably more inexpensive.

Vincentric discovered that over the course of five years, despite the fact that insurance and repairs are plainly less expensive for hybrids, you still end up paying more for one. A 2010 Toyota Prius will cost $3,227 more to buy than a 2010 Toyota Corolla. The average price premium for a hybrid was $8,298 while the average fuel-cost savings was $2,364 over five years with the vehicle driven 15,000 miles annually. This includes the $2,364 difference in fuel costs.

Therefore, purchasing a hybrid, like the 2011 Toyota Prius, is still the environmentally friendly course of action…but not always the most economical. Hybrids may be cheaper to fill up and, shockingly, less expensive to maintain and repair as well.

What Toyota engines are equipped with timing chains?

So, that is how the timing chain and belt operate. Which one, though, does your Toyota use? Here is a quick list of the components used in the engines of various Toyota vehicles:

Sedan And Hatchback Models

• All Avalon models from 1995 to 2004 feature timing belts. Timing chains are used in the vehicles from 2005 through 2020, including the 4-cylinder Avalon Hybrid.
• Toyota Camry: The timing belt is used in all models from 1990 to 2001 as well as the V6 model from 2004 to 2006. The timing chain is utilized by the 20022020 4-cylinder and 20072020 V6 vehicles.
• Toyota’s well-known Corolla compact vehicle has a timing belt from 1990 to 1997. Timing chains, however, were introduced in models starting in 1998. The Corolla Hybrid and Corolla iM/Scion iM models are included in this.
• Cressida: The straight-six engine of the Toyota Cressida from 1990 to 1992 had timing belts.
• This subcompact’s timing chain-powered 4-cylinder engine was sold from 2000 to 2005.
• Timing chain for all models, 20032013, shown as a matrix.
• Timing belt for all Paseo models from 1992 to 1997.
• Prius: From 2001 to the most recent models, all Prius models share the same timing chain. The Prius C, Prius V, Prius Prime, and Prius Plug-in are all included in this.
• All Tercel models produced between 1990 and 1998 had engines with timing chains.
• Timing chains are used in all Yaris vehicles produced from 2007 through 2020, including the Scion iA and Hatchback variants.

Crossover Models

• Toyota’s C-HR is a brand-new compact crossover with a strong emphasis on lifestyle.
• Timing chains are used in all 4-cylinder engines in the Highlander from 2001 to 2007; timing belts are used in V6 vehicles. From 2008 through 2019, timing chains are used in all V6 vehicles. Except for the V6 hybrid, it employs timing belts from 2006 to 2010 and timing chains starting with the 2011 model year.
• RAV4: From 1996 to 2000, all 4-cylinder models of the RAV4 used timing belts; starting in 2001, timing chains were used. Timing chains are also used in the V6 version from 2006 to 2012. Timing chains are used in the hybrid cars from 2016 to 2020.
• Venza: The timing chain for the Venza ranges from 2009 to 2015.

Minivan Or MPV Models

• Timing chains were employed in the engines of this storied Toyota minivan from 1991 to 1997.
• The Sienna sports a V6 engine with timing belts and was manufactured from 1998 to 2006. The V6 vehicles from 2007 through 2020 then employ timing chains. Timing chains are used in the 4-cylinder variant from 20112012.

SUV And Trucks

• 4Runner: Timing chains are used in the four-cylinder 199020002010 4Runner. Timing belts are used on the 19902002 vehicles for the V6 variations. Timing chains are then used for the 4Runner’s V6 engines from 2003 to 2010. If your engine is a V8 model (20032009), a timing belt is used.
• FJ-Cruiser: This mid-size SUV with classic styling was sold from 2007 to 2014. They were all powered by V6 engines with timing chains.
• The Land Cruiser offers a wide range of engine configurations. The gear drive system is used with the 19901992 straight-six engine (the same function, but uses a set of gears rather than belts or chains). Timing chains are used in the 19931997 straight-six engine. The V8 models from 1998 to 2007 make use of timing belts. While the V8 versions from 20082011 and from 20132020 employ timing chains.
• 20012009 4.7L V8 Sequoia Timing belts are used in Sequoia. Timing chains are used in both the 20102012 4.6L V8 and the 20082020 5.7L V8 models.
• Toyota T100: Timing belt for the 19931998 V6 engines and timing chains for the 19951998 4-cylinder engines
• Toyota Tacoma: The Toyota Tacoma and the 4Runner share the same base, but the engines are different. Timing chains are used on all 4-cylinder vehicles from 1995 to 2020. Timing belts were used on V6 vehicles up until 2004, however starting with the 2005 model, they were replaced by timing belts.
• Toyota Truck: Timing belt for 19901995 V6 engines and timing chains for 19901995 4-cylinder engines.

A timing chain’s durability is 200 000 miles.

Timing chain vibration is prevented by using chain guides and silencers. Each of these parts ages as well. How can you tell if the timing chain needs replacing?

When the timing chain is worn, the engine frequently feels sluggish, has little power, or is difficult to start. Perhaps the Check Engine light will also come on. This is due to the fact that as the chain ages, it stretches and the ignition and valve timing advance more. Numerous noises coming from the engine’s timing chain cover area can also be caused by a worn timing chain, chain guides, or chain tensioner. The timing chain noises can be whirring, whining, buzzing, whining, or rattling.

If the timing chain needs to be replaced due to wear, a new tensioner, guides, and other chain drive mechanism components are often included with the kit. The motors of many cars have two or even three chains, and frequently your auto repair shop will advise replacing all the chains at once.

Depending on the vehicle model, timing chain replacement costs might range from $370 to $1,500.

Finding the right process to set the timing when a new chain is inserted is necessary if you intend to replace the timing chain yourself. This kind of information can be found in the service handbook for your car.

It’s rather simple to replace the timing chain in old-style pushrod engines. If you drive a new front-wheel drive vehicle with a transversely positioned engine, you may not have such luck because the engine compartment may be relatively small. In a V6 engine, it becomes considerably more challenging.

Maintaining your engine properly and changing the engine oil at specified intervals will help you avoid timing chain issues. Oil filters and engine oils of the highest caliber should be used. The timing chain will always be lubricated if the oil level is maintained at the right level. Given that many modern engines are known to use oil, this is extremely crucial. A timing chain in a well-maintained engine can last up to 300,000 miles or even more.

Timing belts or chains: which is superior?

Timing belts typically last less time than timing chains. Timing belts are made of rubber, which isn’t as strong as metal, but chains are made of metal, and this is the simple explanation for why this is the case. Timing belts are not weak, but they will probably need to be replaced at some point, whereas a chain can last the lifetime of the car.

Timing belts typically need to be replaced in the mileage range of 55,000 miles (about 90,000 km) and 90,000 miles (roughly 150,000 km). Therefore, a timing belt is still a very reliable and significant component of your car.

Whether your car has a timing chain or belt, it’s critical that you watch for any symptoms of wear and strain and take appropriate action. Depending on the sort of engine you have, a broken timing belt can have disastrous results. You could be better off searching to get a new vehicle if the repairs are too expensive to be practical.