How Do I Lubricate My Treadmill With a Syringe?

Please note that a syringe is not included with purchase. For instructions without a syringe, please click here.

Important Routine Maintenance Using Syringe Method

In order to ensure optimal long-term performance of your treadmill, the belt and deck must be lubricated periodically. Lack of lubrication causes friction and can lead to premature failure of the belt, deck, motor, or electronics.

For a video on how to lubricate your treadmill, please click here.

When should I lubricate the belt and deck?

• After assembly (before first use)
• Every 3 months or 150 miles, whichever comes first. To find your mileage, please see our article: How Do I Find My Total Treadmill Mileage?

Required materials:

• Plastic syringe
•  Rigid tube
• 20 ml silicone oil (The bottle contains 40 ml, which is enough for two applications. For additional silicone oil, refer to the article “How Do I Find Lubricant for My Treadmill?”)

To lubricate the belt and deck, follow the instructions below. The process takes 10 minutes.

1. Disconnect the treadmill power cord.
2. The tubing should already be connected to the syringe tip. If it is not, affix it with super glue or hot glue.
3. Unscrew the silicone oil bottle cap and cut the tip to make an opening wide enough to insert the tubing into the bottle. It may be necessary to enlarge the hole slightly with a sharp tool.
4. Insert the tube into the silicone bottle and draw 10 ml into the syringe. It may be difficult to fill the syringe the first time; after the tube is coated internally, subsequent fillings will be easier. Some air in the syringe is okay.
5. From either side of the belt, and as close to the front of the deck as possible, carefully insert the tube under the running belt —between the belt and deck—until the tube tip reaches the middle of the width of the belt. DO NOT apply silicone oil to the top running surface of the belt.
6. While slowly squeezing silicone from the syringe, keep the tube tip near the center of the belt and move it toward the rear of the deck, wiggling it slightly as you go. The goal is to apply silicone to the middle 6 inches of the belt along the full length of the deck.
7. Remove the tube from under the belt.
8. Step onto the running surface and push the belt with your feet to move it one-half revolution. (Use the belt seam as a reference.) Repeat steps 4-7 on the remaining portion of the belt.
9. Restore power to the treadmill and without walking on the belt, start a manual workout. Allow the treadmill to run for 3 minutes.
10. Step onto the belt and set the treadmill to a comfortable walking pace. Walk on the belt for another 3 minutes to spread the oil.
11. Remove the tube and put the cap on the bottle of silicone. Store it with these instructions. Record the mileage and date on the back of this page for easy reference.

To buy more lubricant:

For treadmills manufactured after November 2002, use lubricant that is 100 percent silicone oil. It can be purchased from us online on the accessories page. For older treadmills, please contact us at 1.888.878.9011.