Timing belts (not drive belts) are used to rotate the camshafts and other internal parts. Belts were brought in because they save as much as 15 HP over timing chains and can be more accurate, freeing even more HP and mileage.
Years ago the engineering on how durable the belt should be was a crap shoot at best. Todays belts are certainly more dependable, but you should take very seriously the 90K belt life because, when the belt fails, the pistons continue to move up and down in their bores while one or more valves don't. They are or may be set extended into the combustion chamber in the open position. The ensuing collision usually destroys valves, pistons and may score the chamber walls.[?]
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