Oiling my treadmill

I don't know the answers to your other questions but would recommend you find a real lubricant and not WD-40. The common misperception is that WD-40 is a lubricant but its actual intent is to clean off rust and other grime. There's a short lubricated effect until it dries, after which it's going to be drier than when you started.

That's actually very helpful info. Thanks! I appreciate it.

Use Boeshield. Not too badly priced and it's waterproof. I use it all the time. Good luck.

josh10000 wrote:

I don't want to pay Nordictrack to service my treadmill.

Can anyone tell me what type of oil I can use, and where to apply it on the treadmill?

It squeaks when I run on it, so is it ok if I just spray wd-40 in various places? And also, do I apply oil under the tread?

Lot of questions because when I looked this up online, I really just saw info from the treadmill manufacturers.

I have a Pacemaster treadmill that is about 10-15 years old. Th service guys and company tech rep told me they used canning wax to lubricate board. This stuff is available in supermarkets. You just rub wax onto deck and let action of belt work it in. The service reps carried a chunk of wax in their tool kits and I saw them do this when they serviced my Pacemaster.

have done this myself many times--just loosen the belt, crayon on the wax, retighten belt and off you go.

My treadmill is from early 2000s so I don't know if this applies to newer models and other brands.

Please don't use WD 40 for your treadmill sake. We are avid treadmill users and have a Commercial Precor, ProForm Boston Marathon 4.0, and a NordicTrack C 700. The last two are made by icon and are absolute garbage. I gave them a second chance with the BM 4.0 because I really liked the regular electrically cord vs another commercial one like the Precor and a t-blade plug that needs a dedicated circuit. Plus it was the only treadmill that went over 12 mph for under $6000 new. So anyway....Long story short, only one of these current treadmills even needs lube. Two have self lubricating belts, so check that first. But, if it does need lube, you may want to get a package they have at dicks sporting goods. It comes with a stick with a spongy part and a bottle of lube. You put a couple drops of lube on the spongy part (evenly across it) and then stick it under the belt and step on both sides of the stick/applicator and run the treadmill at like 4mph. You can also get the lube itself at gym equipment stores as I have used that as well. Just put a couple drops across a rag, and do the same thing. Hold it across and slowly run the treadmill so it gets the whole belt evenly.

Also, makes sure your belt isn't too tight, because if it is, that will make it squeak as well. You should be able to lift each side from the middle like 3 inches. You should also be able to stick your arm (unless you have like really, really, big arms) under the belt all the way to the other side of the unit. If not, loosen it because it causes quite a bit of wear and tear on the treadmill and belt.

My landice came with a supply of Slipcoat lubricant.

"Slipcoat lubricant is designed to reduce friction between the treadmill and deck. It is required for all institutional treadmills. Proper and timely application of Slipcoat will prevent premature failures due to excessive wear and load. Items affected by inadequate lubrication are the treadbelt, deck, motor and motor controller."

Google Slipcoat. You can buy it online

Do you work for Slipcoat? Just curious because you seem to be saying that only slipcoat will work as a lubricant on treadmills. I have nothing against that brand, personally I don't use that one, but if it is a high quality treadmill lubricant, I am sure it will work great just like the many other brands of treadmill lubricant. I do take exception with "It is required for all institutional treadmills." because it is simply not true. Many, many treadmills do not need lubrication because they have a self lubricating belt. Those should never have lubricant applied to them under any circumstance. I have researched this quite a bit as I happen to have two self lubricating belt treadmills. Most say to do nothing, but others say to hold a clean, dry rag under the belt the same way I said to lube it, and let it clean off dust and small debris.

So please don't advise people using such a broad statement because you could really screw up someone who takes your word as gospel. Nothing against you, but these were the kinds of things that cost me a treadmill in the past. Treadmills are mostly the same parts, but different brands and different models are different and things done to one, may not work or may even actually hurt another one. I experienced this after a tech told me a way to generically tighten and loosen the belts on any treadmill. I ended up doing something against the manufactures suggestions, and ruined a treadmill belt. This was years and years ago, but since then, I have tried to really look into the treadmill I am fixing, and find out what the manufacture recommends with that specific model. Especially now a days where you can find all the manuals online, IMHO there is no need to take chances.

Is that what the kids are calling it theese days?

If you look up treadmill maintenance etc on youtube you will get lots of good information on doing your own maintenance. Lube for the belt is relatively inexpensive, I bought this:http://www.treadmilldoctor.com/world-famous-lubeNordicTrack is the worst. I'll never buy another. POS Google maps rarely worked and nearly always had issues. I fought with them for about 2 years and finally got a refund after threatening them with the state AG going after them.

josh10000 wrote:

I don't want to pay Nordictrack to service my treadmill.

Can anyone tell me what type of oil I can use, and where to apply it on the treadmill?

It squeaks when I run on it, so is it ok if I just spray wd-40 in various places? And also, do I apply oil under the tread?

Lot of questions because when I looked this up online, I really just saw info from the treadmill manufacturers.

No, I don't work for slipcoat. I just copied some text from the instructions Landice provided (hence the quotes) that came along with the slipcoat they provided. Sorry i wasn't clearer.

I've owned my TM about 8 years now, and have only used two packets of the lubricant. Not because I felt the TM needed it, but only because I stumbled on the lube and thought why not. I can't tell if it's made a difference or not. The TM gets about 2k miles of use per year