How to lubricate a treadmill belt

Written by Jamie Miller, Founder & EditorLast checked 18 September 2026

Do not use WD-40 on a treadmill belt. It is a solvent and water-displacer, not a lubricant suited to the friction between a treadmill belt and deck, and it can damage the belt's underside over time. Use a 100% silicone treadmill lubricant, sold specifically for this, or the exact product your manual names.

Check your manual first

Some treadmills, particularly ones with a specially coated deck or a self-lubricating belt, should not be manually lubricated at all — doing so can void the warranty or damage the coating. Check your specific model's manual before doing anything below. If you no longer have it, most manufacturers publish manuals on their own site.

How to lubricate a standard belt

Unplug the machine. Do not skip this.
Loosen the belt slightly per your manual's instructions, usually by adjusting the rear roller bolts a small amount — this lets lubricant reach under the belt rather than just the visible edge.
Lift one side of the belt and apply 100% silicone lubricant in a line down the centre of the deck, underneath the belt. Repeat on the other side.
Re-tighten the belt to its original tension and run the machine at a slow speed for a few minutes with no one on it, so the lubricant spreads evenly.
Re-check belt tension and centring before using it properly.

How often

Manufacturer guidance varies, and we have not tested lubrication intervals ourselves. A common published range is every 3 to 6 months for regular home use, more often for heavier or more frequent use — but your own manual's figure, if it gives one, is the one to follow rather than a general rule from a website.

Signs it needs doing sooner

A squeaking or rubbing noise that was not there before.
The belt feeling like it is sticking or jerking slightly underfoot.
Increased motor effort or noise at the same speed you normally use.

Where to buy it

100% silicone treadmill lubricant is sold by most major UK retailers and by treadmill manufacturers directly. Buy the product your manual specifies where one is named; a generic silicone lubricant is the fallback where it is not.

What we have not established

We have not measured how lubrication interval affects belt lifespan, and we have no data comparing lubricant brands. How we review.