QuestionI have a 95 Toyota Camry, which has only about 40,000 miles on it now (after 11 years of driving only about 3500 miles/year). I'm wondering whether I need to have the timing belt replaced soon. It's supposed to be replaced at 60,000 miles, but I'm not sure if the age of the car means it should be replaced much sooner. At this rate, I probably won't get to 60,000 until the car is 15 years old! I may wind up buying a new car before then anyway. I've never been sure whether to follow the maintenance intervals based on miles or months or something in between. I've had the radiator flushed and filled and am going to have the transmission drained and filled soon, and I get frequent lubes and oil changes. Is there anything else major that should be checked at this time?
Also, the rear interior brake light (at the top of the center of the back seat) is out and I'm not sure whether fixing it will require taking the back seat off or if it can be fixed through the trunk.
AnswerIt is recommended that the timing belt be changed at 60,000 miles or at 4 year intervals.
Time can have almost as much of an effect on wear and tear items as mileage due to many factors of the environment.
Some items can deteriorate from infrequent use.
The best rule of thumb is that if the vehicle is not driven much use the time factor as a service interval.
The center brake light bulb can be replaced by popping the cover off on the rear shelf.
