While automobiles made by companies like VW are shining beacons of man's achievements in technology, the happenings inside a Golf or New Beetle is far from a pretty sight. The internal combustion engine combines metal, chemistry and engineering that make these mechanical marvels tick is hubbub of controlled chaos meticulously constructed to withstand every day use and avoid potential disaster with little margin for error. Highly dramatic description of the insides of a car, yet somewhat true.

Timing is concept integral in many disciplines, sports, comedy, and business as well; a VW vehicle is not an exception. A VW engine's valves must fire off in sync if one wishes not only for optimal performance, but continued function as well. With each type of vehicle or model needing a specific engine configuration, VW timing parts play an important role in keeping the chaos inside an internal combustion engine in check.

A chief component of this application is the VW timing belt. Also called a timing chain or cam belt, this flat belt laced with integral teeth is the central figure in synchronizing the engine's valves. The term is also used loosely, when referring to any belt-like part used in the various functions surrounding a car, like power transmission. However, limiting the discussion to its application in the internal combustion engine, the belt is connected to the crankshaft and the camshaft, the former is connected to the pistons action while the latter is directly responsible for flow of fuel within the engine via the opening and closing of the engine's valves. The synchronization of both is critical since the flow of fuel (intake and exhaust) must be timed correctly with the pistons' movement for the combustion process and use of energy to be utilized effectively, this is particularly true in four-stroke engines, that are the most popular cycles for engines of contemporary models.

While other tools have been used like gears and chain to do the timing belts job, and have proven to be more durable than the usual highly-tensile rubber belt, the cons outweigh the pros. Gears and chains are a lot heavier and noisier, which have an negative overall effect on the vehicle. On the business side of things, rubber timing belts are more affordable to produce. Despite this, timing belts do have their own set of limitations. As with most engines, VW timing belts have a limited life span, but break down without warning. Most VW manuals suggest that belt replacement be done based on mileage intervals, usually for every 60,000 to 105,000 miles.

Failure to detect a defective belt can be an expensive mistake, depending if the engine is described as interference engines or non-interference. Interference engines will more than likely break down if the timing belt mistimes due to wear and tear. Non-interference engines are a lot luckier, but will not function at all unless a replacement is made. A common advice by technicians to have the replacement job while replacing the water pump due to the two parts being adjacent to each other when one is repaired/replaced. Either way, the cost of practicing the above mentioned methods is relatively more economical compared to the alternative, like a busted engine.