A timing BELT is an integral part of your engine, and it controls the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves in your engine. If your car has a timing belt, it is scheduled to be changed at a certain mileage or time interval, usually close to 100,000 miles, or 7-10 years. It is important to stay current with your timing system maintenance; failure of a timing belt or related pulley can cause an engine to stall at best, and at worst, it can cause catastrophic engine failure.
Timing CHAINS require less maintenance; however, they are even more costly to repair if something breaks. Keeping current with regular oil changes and using factory recommended oil can prolong the life of these components. Also, pay close attention to any lights on your instrument cluster. Your car can sometimes alert you of serious timing problems before internal engine damage occurs.