Hello everyone,

I own a 2014 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid with only 63,000 miles on it. I bought it last year with 59,000 miles. I know that the timing belt is recommended to be replaced at 90,000 miles for normal driving conditions or 7 years, whichever comes first. Considering that I do not drive much, and the car was a certified pre-owned with all the maintenance done by the dealership throughout its life. I am wondering wether I can wait for a couple of years as I approach 90,000 miles, or not take the risk. I will definitely have the belt changed by 2024 even if I don't reach the 90,000 mile mark. I plan on keeping this car long term, at least until the repair bills don't get out of hand. I am not very experienced with car repairs and maintenance as this is my second car, and the first one I owned was a beater which I pretty much drove with minimal maintenance. I don't want to be cheap in terms of maintenance for this car, but considering I don't drive much and don't drive aggressively, I think being a little lenient with the timing belt/water pump change is acceptable. Would love to hear your suggestions and thoughts on this matter.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post!

 

14+7=21. So first, if this were my car, I'd demand verification from the dealer that they actually changed the belt. Since you bought it last year it's unlikely that belt is new and is now seven years old...remember, "CPO" is not a warranty against failures once you purchase. I recently changed the belt, et. al. on my '07 well short of the mileage change interval because is was at the seven year point and frankly, the potential damage from a failed belt was too much to chance. If you don't change it, it WILL be in your head that whole time. Change it!!

 

I don't know if the RLX switched to the Kevlar timing belts like other Acura vehicles? I some folks delayed the 7yr/105k service and have gone +10 years and +150,000 miles on the same belt. Sounds like you will never make it to the timing belt limit by mileage. The timing belt will be a "one-and-done" maintenance for you because it will be +2030 before it will be due again by time. The timing belt service also includes spark plugs, valve adjustment, oil change, water pump if needed, coolant change (hybrid has two cooling systems). I don't like to delay maintenance and never had an issue doing too much maint compared to the potential issues delaying it.

I would be more worried about letting the car sit for extended periods of time for +3 months. That could cause damage to engine with deteriorating oil, seals/gaskets can start to deteriorate and leak, old fuel, flat spots with tires, running down the 12v battery, and damage to the hybrid battery system. Driving the RLX on a regular basis might actually be a better preventive maintenance plan compared to letting it sit too long.

 

I put A LOT of miles on my RLXs and my dealer told me I could go 105/120k miles on the belt and it shouldn't be an issue (I traded both of them just short of 100k miles with zero issues). They can easily inspect it with every oil change, and when you get nearer, they should be fair with you--especially since is it s very intensive/expensive service as mrgold35 noted above.