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A treadmill makes it easier for you to exercise at various speeds, burning excess calories from your body to keep you lean, fit, strong, and healthy. Since a treadmill features a running belt that moves at different speeds, it should be maintained on a regular basis to function effectively to help you lose weight.
Not to mention, the belt might be exposed to a lot of friction force as it rotates at different speeds. Lubrication is a maintenance procedure that keeps a treadmill in superb condition, minimizing the risk of mechanical machine failure.
Most people might forget to lube different parts of a treadmill like the belts, increasing the risk of mechanical machine failures. In this post, we are going to give you an insight into how to lubricate a treadmill. We are also going to take you through multiple treadmill maintenance tips.
How Can You Know if Your Belt Needs Some Lubrication or Not?
Which sign should you look for as you are inspecting your treadmill?
Noise
One of the most obvious ways to tell if a belt needs some lubrication or not is to listen to the sound that the deck surface produces while moving. If the treadmill belt produces a disturbing and noisy sound, it needs to be lubricated as soon as possible to prevent mechanical machine failure.
Change in Speed
Check if the treadmill belt moves seamlessly in a continuous motion without halting. In some instances, the treadmill belt might not move seamlessly in a continuous motion and may get stuck at certain spots for a short period. If your treadmill belt does this, you should lubricate the exercising machine to restore it to its previous condition.
Why Should You Lubricate a Belt?
Lubricating makes it easier for you to maintain various parts of your treadmill, preventing mechanical machine failures. If a treadmill operates for a long period of time without being lubricated, the motor might get damaged.
Once you lubricate the treadmill belt, it will move seamlessly in a continuous motion without stopping at certain spots.
Apart from that, the disturbing and noisy sound will decrease.
Since lubrication effectively reduces the friction between the treadmill belt and other parts, it minimizes wear and tears on different parts of the treadmill.
Tools Needed for Lubrication
To get effective and superb results, you have to use the following tools while lubricating your treadmill;
- Screwdriver – A screwdriver may be handy in unfastening various treadmill screws
- Towel or rag for handling the excess lubricant that may drip accidentally
- Silicone spray lubricant for maximum effectiveness
- Spray bottle for effective lubrication
Complete Step by Step Guide on How to Lubricate Your Treadmill
Step 1: Go Through the Advice Found in Your Treadmill’s Manufacturer Guide
Start off by going through the treadmill’s user guide to get more insight into all parts of the treadmill. This makes it easier for you to disassemble some parts to get access to different areas. Most treadmill manufacturers give you insight into such procedures.
Apart from that, a treadmill’s user guide might contain detailed information, which may guide you as you are lubricating the different parts of the treadmill.
Step 2: Disconnect the Treadmill From the Power Source
Before you begin this DIY project, you have to disconnect the treadmill from the power source, minimizing the risks of any injuries that the treadmill may cause.
Step 3: Place Some Towels Close to the Treadmill During the Lubrication Process
The liquid lubricant might cause a mess as you are lubricating multiple sections and parts.
To prevent this from happening, place some towels close to the treadmill. The towels will absorb some of the treadmill oil that may trickle out as you are working on it, keeping your floor clean and tidy.
Step 4: Unfasten the Screws
Unfasten the treadmill screws that may be on the edges of your treadmill to work freely on other parts after you loosen the grip of the running belt.
Once you unfasten the screws from the edges of the treadmill, place them in a jar or a container. Insert your hand underneath your treadmill’s belt, starting with your fingers, and remove it from its initial position.
Step 5: Apply the Silicone Lubricant on the Deck
Once you lift the treadmill belt, place the spray can/bottle close to the deck, and then press the nozzle lightly to apply the silicone lubricant on the deck on the treadmill. Check if the texture of the silicone treadmill lubricant is thick or not.
If the texture of the treadmill lubricant is thick, you have to use a towel or a rag to wipe off the extra lubricant that might be on the surface of the deck.
Step 6: Lubricate the Running Belt
Once you finish lubricating the deck of the treadmill, lubricate the belt to get effective results. Place the spray can/bottle close to the underside surface, then press the nozzle slightly to spray the treadmill lubricant. Cover all the sections to get effective results.
Afterwards, flip the treadmill belt, then apply the silicone lubricant on the upper surface of the treadmill. Covering all the sections minimizes the friction between the treadmill belt and other parts of the treadmill. The lube should be spread evenly on different sections of the treadmill.
Step 7: Wipe
Well, you have to wipe some of the lubricants that might be trickling down from the treadmill deck and from the belt on one side first, then move over to the opposite side. If you apply large quantities of lubricant, the treadmill might not function smoothly. To prevent such scenarios, wipe the extra lubricant from the belt and the deck.
Step 8: Secure the Belt on the Deck
The next thing you need to do is place the belt back to its original position, then secure it to the treadmill deck, starting with one edge. After that, fasten the screws on the other side to keep the treadmill belt in one position.
Fasten the screws on the edges of the treadmill to secure the treadmill belt. Check if the treadmill screws have been secured. If they haven’t, re-tighten them to get effective results.
Step 9: Power on the Treadmill
Next, connect the treadmill to a power source, then power it on. Leave it on for about four to ten minutes. It might take up to five minutes for the silicone lube to be distributed on all parts. If the lubricant spreads evenly, your treadmill will be restored back to its original state and will start running smoothly again.
Lubricate Your Treadmill on a Regular Basis
Lubricate your treadmill on a regular basis, using some treadmill lubricant to improve its efficiency and performance. The treadmill lubrication process might take a few hours or a few minutes, depending on your output. However, it will be worth it to have a smooth, enjoyable run on your workout equipment.
You can walk or run comfortably on the belt to cut some weight or exercise. What’s more, you will save the motor from different complications that may lead to mechanical failure of the motor.
So, improve its longevity and do the required maintenance! How do you take care of your gym equipment?
