treadmill maintenance

[Linda]

This is not really a fitness question per se....but sort of.

Dd has started using our treadmill quite a bit since our weather outside is so terrible. Since we bought our treadmill in 2001, we've used it off and on.....but have never done any maintenance to it. I've been concerned we needed to lubricate the track but of course I have long lost the manual. I searched our model on-line and found this blurb :

"THE PERFORMANT LUBE
TM
WALKING BELT
Your treadmill features a walking belt coated with
PERFORMANT LUBE
TM , a high-performance lubricant.
IMPORTANT: Never apply silicone spray or other
substances to the walking belt or the walking platform. They will deteriorate the walking belt and
cause excessive wear."

fitness.manualsonline.com/manuals/mfg/proform/625ex.html?idRes=351000



It doesn't seem to say anywhere else about any kind of lubricating and I'm a bit confused. Is this walking track/belt the area that you lubricate, Elisa or is it somewhere else?

Linda (who is very maintenance challenged )

[violet]

Well, two things: I asked the same question of the treadmill guy when he last came to fix ours.

He said it was fine to use silicone spray, though maybe different types of belts have different requirements.

As to where to lubricate the treadmill belt: Push the running platform up toward the handles, where it should lock in place.

Facing the bottom of the treadmill, the bit that would normally sit on the floor, put the lubricant stuff on a cloth or use a spray with a nozzle extension (depending on the type of lubricant your treadmill requires).

Now lift the belt gently from about the center of the platform. You may have to shove your arm inside a bit, but you want to lubricate the center of the back side of the mat itself.

Then lower the treadmill platform to the floor and run it on a low speed for a few minutes to help the lubricant spread.

This guy does it with the platform down, and he explains the process really well:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTbNYPl140c&feature=related

Elisa

[Linda]

I'm just not sure what I should do as the manual for our treadmill specifically says to not lubricate it (those parts).

[violet]

I just read the manual, Linda, which I should have done to start with.

I'd email the company and ask. The manual reads as though the belt never needs lubricating, but it's best to ask, I reckon.

Let us know what you find.

Elisa

[violet]

Have you already seen this, Linda?

The link's below the quote:

"Precautions

Not all treadmills require lubrication. Some manufacturers lubricate the walking belt at the factory with a high-performance lubricant. You should not lubricate these treadmills or apply any type of solvent to the walking deck. This may deteriorate the walking belt, cause excessive wear or void your warranty. Consult your owner's manual or contact your treadmill manufacturer to verify whether you should lubricate your machine."

Read more: www.livestrong.com/article/507659-does-my-treadmill-need-to-be-lubricated/#ixzz1jbmhiezR

Elisa

[Linda]

Yes, that's what my manual said --- not to lubricate it as it would ruin it. It is apparently pre treated with some type of special hi performance lubricant.

[violet]

Sounds like you picked a good treadmill, then, Linda. It would only need to be kept dusted (to prevent any dust, etc, from getting underneath the belt) and that's it. Much better than ours, which has to be lubricated with some foul-smelling stuff once a month.

Elisa

[Linda]

I hope so. I have visions of needing a service call only to be told we should have been lubricating it...