Proper maintenance for your treadmill is the key to maximizing its lifespan, and lubrication is a big part of that. Lubricant is typically applied periodically between your treadmill’s running belt and deck and has several benefits:
- Reduces Friction: Friction creates heat which, over time, can wear down the belt and even warp the deck.
- Protects the Motor: Increased friction puts more strain on the motor, reducing its lifespan.
- Performance and Safety: A well-lubricated machine runs more smoothly, providing a better workout and preventing potential falls caused by sudden shifts in belt speed.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through when and how to lubricate a treadmill to keep it performing at its best. Click on one of the sections below to jump to it or keep reading to see all our tips about lubricating treadmills.
- How to Know if Your Treadmill Needs Lubricant
- Supplies You’ll Need to Grease a Treadmill
- How to Oil a Treadmill in 8 Steps
- How Often to Lubricate a Treadmill
How to Know if Your Treadmill Needs Lubricant
There are several signs to look out for that indicate it’s time to lubricate:
- Increased Friction at Low Speeds
- Sluggish Start
- Burning Smell
- Belt Slipping
- Louder Motor Than Usual
- Uneven Speed
However, we recommend following any lubrication instructions in your treadmill’s manual and keeping a consistent schedule rather than waiting to notice these signs.
Another thing to learn is whether your specific model requires lubricant at all and, if so, what type. Some models use wax while others use a silicone lubricant. Others are considered self-lubricating and have wax-infused belts or automatic lubrication reservoirs, but this is more common in commercial treadmills. Most residential treadmills require manual lubrication periodically.
To simplify things, we’ve outlined a list of our most popular brands below as well as whether they need routine lubrication and, if so, which type.
| Brand | Lubrication Required? | Lubricant Type |
|---|---|---|
| NordicTrack | ✅ Yes | 100% Silicone |
| Matrix Fitness | ✅ Yes | 100% Silicone |
| BowFlex | ✅ Yes | 100% Silicone |
| Landice | ⚠️ Sometimes | SlipCoat (Proprietary Silicone) |
| Horizon Fitness | ✅ Yes | 100% Silicone |
| Centr / Inspire | ❌ No | N/A (Self-Lubricating) |
| Vision Fitness | ❌ No | N/A (Wax-Infused Belt) |
| Cascade | ❌ No | N/A (Curved / Slatted Belt) |
Supplies You’ll Need to Grease a Treadmill
- Lubricant: 100% Silicone Oil or SipCoat for Landice treadmills.
- Applicator: Squeeze bottle with long nozzle or a silicone applicator wand
- Allen Wrench or Hex Key: Used to loosen/tighten roller bolts to access the belt.
- Clean Cloth or Paper Towels: Wipe excess lubricant from the deck and belt edges.
- Gloves: Optional if you want to keep your hands clean.
How to Oil a Treadmill in 8 Steps
- Turn off and unplug your treadmill.
- Use your Allen wrench or hex key to loosen the rear roller bolts until there’s enough slack to fit your hand between the deck and the belt. Take note of how many turns it takes.
- Inspect the deck and, if needed, use your towel to wipe off any debris that’s built up.
- Slide your nozzle or applicator wand under the belt at the top of the machine and, starting at the center, squeeze the lubricant onto the deck in zig zag patterns moving between the center and the edge as you work your way down the deck. Repeat this process on the other side of the deck. You’ll likely use around 20-30 mL of lubricant.
- Lay the belt back down on the deck and re-tighten the rear roller bolts the same number of turns you loosened them.
- Plug in your treadmill and let it run at 1-2 mph for 2-3 minutes. This will help evenly distribute the lubricant.
- Walk on it slowly for 3-5 minutes to finish the distribution and ensure your belt tension feels right.
- Note and wipe away any excess lubricant from the edges of your belt.
How Often to Lubricate a Treadmill
Every brand and model is a little different, so there’s no exact time or distance interval that fits all treadmills. For example, NordicTrack treadmills should be lubricated with silicone every three months or 130 miles, whichever comes first. Horizon Fitness treadmills are similar (three months or 150 miles). On the other hand, some Landice treadmills like the L7 and L8 we offer only need lubrication every 2,500 miles and use SlipCoat, their proprietary lubricant.
We recommend referencing your user manual to learn which maintenance interval is right for your machine. Some models also have built-in alerts to let you know when it’s time to lubricate, but it’s always a good idea to know that information yourself. Try keeping a maintenance log to track each date and the mileage at which you lubricate your treadmill.
Wrapping Up
Learning when and how to grease a treadmill will help you protect your investment and keep it running smoothly for years to come. If you have any questions about the process or any of our treadmills, reach out to our team of home fitness experts and we’ll be happy to help.
