Strange that even though in the course of any long-term ownership, and with a definite need to replace them, rare is the case where a car owner specifically seeks out an automotive replacement part – or sprout the info – by brand. Undoubtedly, there are those who do, but by and large the average user probably doesn’t notice the things that are under the hood or hidden away, let alone pay attention to a brand.
So, with that, how many of you have heard of Gates, the Corporation or the brand? Well, the company has been around for a good bit, 100 years actually, and it happens to be one of the world’s leading industrial and automotive parts manufacturers, primarily in the area of belt and hose products, systems and components.
The company started in 1911 in Denver, Colorado, when Charles Gates bought The Colorado Tire and Leather Company, and in the hundred years since, Gates Corporation – formerly known as The Gates Rubber Company – has charted a global course that has seen the company expand into 29 countries around the world, with now more than 100 Gates manufacturing, distribution, technical and sales/service facilities delivering innovative solutions from industrial and automotive original equipment manufacturers and replacement markets to agriculture, transportation, mining, oil & gas, construction, food processing etc.
In the field of automotive replacement parts, Gates is a supplier to major car manufacturers worldwide, which enables it to provide OE-equivalent products to the automotive aftermarket. The company provides a host of auto parts solutions, including V-belts, timing belts, auto tensioners, waterpumps, radiator hoses, hose fittings, crimpers, automotive hydraulics and power transmissions, across a wide spectrum of applications, from passenger cars, light trucks and heavy-duty to scooter application needs.
The company was the first to launch OE standard material into the aftermarket an EPDM-based accessory belt, EPDM is simply known as a type of rubber (ethylene propylene diene Monomer rubber) well known for its outstanding heat, ozone and weather resistance properties. In the case of the EPDM Micro-V, the company says that it exhibits high resistance to wear (and ozone), has low stretch, and has good resistance to oil drops, among other things.
Gates also makes timing belts for cars, and prides itself by being the only manufacturer approved by virtually every major OEM to provide timing belts for new engines – it also makes the Unitta range of belts, and Gates and Unitta timing belts are products of the same company.
As the world’s leading belt manufacturer, Gates has a long history of creating new products through innovation to meet constantly evolving requirements, and is also a major supplier of belts to the motorcycle market, one such achievement is equipping Harley-Davidson with the first generation of Poly Chain synchronous belt and through the years, Gates has also become an important supplier to numerous scooter manufacturers, such as Peugeot MTC.
At present, Gates offers an aftermarket replacement scooter belt which matches OE belt performance, the Gates Powerlink scooter belt, designed to provide top performance for CVT drives. The company hasn’t stopped there – today, Gates is also involved in bicycles by providing the innovative solution in the form of the Carbon Drive System, which trades messy chains and skipping with a super strong polyurethane belt.
Granted, it’s not something that you need to be studious about, unless you’re so inclined, but at least you’re that more in the know about things, and if your mechanic shows you a Gates OEM part that he’s about to fit into your car, you know you’re getting quality and recognition. Find out more by visiting the Gates website, and there’s a Facebook page for the Powerlink Scooter belt, if you’d like to know more about that one.
something new,
Have heard of Gates. Some local workshops have been offering them for timing belt replacements and I think they carry 100,000km warranty or some solid assurance like that
Not new, been using Gates and Dayco belts for ages together with SKF bearings/rollers, the belts quality are actually over and above some manufacturer’s standards. Shows how much manufacturer’s influence has on parts makers. The original belt with their brand is of higher standard than OEM.
When comes to timing belts, it’s really better to use reputable ones.
gates belt sucks compare to mitsuboshi for a campro engine belt.
Do explain why. Will need to change timing belt not too distant future. Hope you’re not just irresponsibly smearing the brand for no good reason
plenty of jokers like this on the internet… shoot first, run away and never come back, anonymous so no accountability, no responsibility… either that or he is a mitsuboshi dealer
most probably he is.
The picture shows they are supplier for Audi, Ford and Hyundai.
I do agree with racefan. Please provide some details on why. I am changing mine soon too! Hoped to get some reviews and the right choice.
If i’m not mistaken i’m using their racing belt on my B16, i didn’t know they are already100 years old.
i used Gate before…… state 100,000 km, but mine only 70,000 already PUTUS……! damn….!
bukan semua same 100,000km, i know some bunch of friends of gila Alfa, their timing belt change around 50,000km.
Visited a few part-shops to survey on prices and search for Gates timing belts. The part shops offered me complete set with various price range. All claims to be Gates genuine.
Which to choose?
I asked them about the mileage for the Gates timing belt – they recommended me to change it at 80K km although its stated 100K km. They said I should get it changed in more shorter mileage if I travel a lot in short distance – town use. How true? Why?
Hope to get some information on all this.
they are practically everywhere now, i know my usual mechanics sells Gates alongside with some other brands.
different component kut? my experience was the mechanic tells me some from japan and some from korean made, he also got china components, very cheap cheap. but scared lar, you know if timing belt putus, engine mati liao!
i still do not know apa beza between gate and others.
is there any possibility that gates belt (*blue colour) was the imitation products????
perhaps that would explain why some complains regarding the reliability….
and so do the price cheaper than expected
Nope, they are racing belts and they are expensive stuff, my cuz is using them on his suoped up Toyota. My Cruze has Gates belt in them. :)
if you all notice every timing belt packaging at spare part shops all contain gates belt. looks like they everywhere.
Is there any particular difference using these timing belts?
to me our wheels are not cheap these days, thanks to the duty and taxes of vehicles, they do supply to major car manufacturers and i want the best for my wheels. period.! :)
Had an experienced auditing the ‘Gates’ Manufacturing Plant in Zhong Yuan Road, Suzhou China back then in Sept 2007.
It was part of a Supplier Qualification and Localization. The plant was huge! Was very impressed on the setup. Truely walking the the title as the leader of the belts manufacturer.. been using Gates Belt ever sinces…
so how often do we change belts?
I need some gates belts. Please get in touch