If you want to reduce your treadmill maintenance costs and at the same time increase its lifespan, then it is highly advised to lubricate your treadmill whenever required.
Frequent Lubrication is also one of the most important treadmill maintenance routines to ensure smooth and noise-free running experience.
However, since not everyone is aware of how and when often to lubricate the treadmill, we have come up with a detailed step-by-step guide for your easy understanding.

Why Should You Lubricate Your Treadmill?
In order for the treadmill belt to move freely without making any noise, the manufacturers use the lubrication oil as it reduces the friction between the motor and the belt.
And, if you don’t know already, replacing a treadmill belt wholly is a very expensive affair.
So, it is better to prevent it beforehand rather to incur the huge repair costs.
How Often Should You Lubricate Treadmill Belt?
It entirely depends on how often you use your treadmill machine.
But, what if you use your treadmill occationally?
In that case, you should aim for lubricating your treadmill once every 6 months.
Which Oil to Use as a Lubricant for Treadmill?
All treadmill manufacturers provide a free lubricant oil bottle along with your purchase. It is highly recommended use only those oils that come with your purchase.
In case if the bottle goes empty, you can order it again from the manufacturer’s website.
You can also refer to your treadmill user manual to find the lubricant oil types that are recommended by your manufacturer.
How to Lubricate Treadmill Belt at Home?
All the Treadmills come with a user manual that describes how to assemble/dissemble your treadmill step-by-step.
It usually varies from one brand to another. So, follow the instructions in your user manual carefully.
Once you’re done with dissembling your treadmill, follow the below steps to oil your treadmill easily.
Tools Required:
- Silicone Lubricant Oil/Spray
- Waste Towel/Cloth
- Screwdriver
1. Prepare Your Treadmill for Lubrication
2. Spread the Towels Across the Treadmill Edges
So, to stop it from happening, you should lay down the towels across all the edges of the treadmill and even underneath the machine beforehand.
3. Unscrew the Bolts
4. Spray the Lubricant Oil
Also, use the spare napkins to wipe-off any oil that falls on the belt or else it could make the belt more slippery, which is extremely dangerous.
If possible, mark the sections which are already lubricated so that you don’t over lubricate it.
Remember that your treadmill requires just about 1 to 1.5 ounces of a good silicone lubricant gel in order to function normally. Anything in excess should be cleaned off immediately.
5. Clean Off Excess Lubricant
6. Fix the Screws Back
7. Turn-on the Machine
As a final measure, you can run on the treadmill for 5 to 6 minutes at 3MPH speed so that the lubricant oil is distributed evenly across the inner surface of the belt.
Once done, turn-off your treadmill and clean it again to ensure there is no excess oil on the sides of the belt.
That’s the exact lubrication procedure followed by many fitness centers to keep their treadmills running smooth and noise-free.
Treadmill Lubrication FAQs
Is It Necessary to Lubricate a Brand New Treadmill?
If the running belt is smooth and doesn’t make any noise due to friction, then it is good to use, else if you find anything missing in these factors, then you should definitely need to lubricate the treadmill whether it is a brand new or used treadmill.
Can I use WD 40 as a Lubricant for My Treadmill?
What Happens if the Treadmill is not Lubricated?
Lubrication also ensures the belt does not become brittle and break suddenly while running, which could be fatal.
How Do I Know If My Treadmill Belt Needs Lubrication?
As a thumb rule, you should oil your treadmill once every 3 months.
You can also lubricate the machine whenever the treadmill belt is getting stuck frequently while running or making too much noise.
How Long Do Treadmill Belts Last?
How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Treadmill Belt in India?
Is It Worth Replacing the Treadmill Belt?
However, if you’re an average user who runs on the treadmill just to improve your health, then you should change your running belt once every 2 to 3 years. Meanwhile, you can just lubricate your machine every 3 months to keep it running smooth.
Do Treadmill Belts Come in Universal Size?
So, always order the treadmill belt for your particular model from the manufacturer’s website.
So, that comes to end of our guide on how to lubricate your treadmill belt easily without any technician help. Hope, this guide has cleared all your guides about treadmill lubrication.
In case if you’re still having any doubts regarding the treadmills, please do comment below.