For Canadian Honda drivers, the following site is helpful
IMO:
http://www.honda.ca/Honda/YourHonda/...ce/Maintenance
Calculator.htm?L=E

It says your 99 Civic SE's timing belt is due at 7 years or
168k km, for normal service. It's due at 100k km "if
regularly driven in very low temp (-29 C, -20 F)"

So at seven years in 2006, the TB is due. Wait right until
summer, but no longer, IMO. Remember that mileage isn't
actually a measure of the RPM on the timing belt. Sitting
idling puts revs on it as well. Weather can age belts, even
if they are not used at all, as well.

I would take this seriously and change it. Your Honda has an
interference engine, which means the pistons may very well
hit the valves if the timing is off, and when the belt
breaks, it's off. Such damage is very expensive to repair.
This group does get reports of broken timing belts.


"butch33" <u17156@uwe> wrote
> hello - first time here - looks like a great place to
discuss autos
>
> I read a few of the timing belt threads via a search of
the forum -and to be
> honest -I'm even more confused now
>
> My 99 civic SE (basically a dx with a SE badge) runs like
a top -never a
> problem -regularly maintained -very low miles 62,000
KMS -which is probably
> around 40,000 MILES .
>
> I realize that the mileage isnt quite there yet to
necessitate the timing
> belt change -but what about the age ?-going on 7 years old
I suppose (bought
> summer of 99)
>
> I obviously ''baby'' the car -but I do live in a cold
climate (northern
> ontario canada)and pretty much just use the car to drive
to work 5 days a
> week -which is approx 5 miles each way --which I suppose
could be considered
> as ''frequent'' short trips as per the Honda type 2
mainteneace sked .
>
> I just invested in a new set of tires (approx 500$)and I
plan on keeping the
> car for another 3 years minimum .I figure - I may as well
replace the timing
> belt for that ''peace of mind feelin'' as well as add to
the cars re-sale
> value when I sell it in approx 3 years -I'm sure a buyer
would appreciate the
> fact that the car will have low miles + timing belt done
>
> my mind is pretty much made up -but please enlighten me if
you please