Key Takeaways
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A dry deck increases friction and stresses the drive motor, drive belt, and motor control board, and skipping lubrication may void your warranty.
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Lubricate every 90 hours of use or every 90 days, and watch for the console "Lube" indicator, a noisier belt, or a dragging feeling underfoot.
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Use only 100% silicone-based lubricants made for treadmills, and keep WD-40, silicone caulking, and any spray or foam formula away from the deck.
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Beyond lubricating, wipe the belt after each session, vacuum the motor hood every other month, and check monthly that the belt is tracking centered.
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SOLE Equipment Lubricant is the approved product for every model that needs lubricating, and every SOLE owner's manual outlines the maintenance steps for your model.
Why Proper Maintenance Is Essential for Your SOLE Treadmill
Lubricating a SOLE treadmill means applying food-grade silicone to the deck under the belt on a schedule, not after something goes wrong. A dry deck builds heat fast, and that heat degrades the belt, wears the deck surface, and forces the motor to work harder than it was designed to.
Three expensive parts absorb that stress: the drive motor, the drive belt, and the electronic motor control board. Skipping lubrication at regular intervals may also void your coverage, which turns a repair SOLE would have handled into one you pay for.
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Signs Your SOLE Treadmill Needs Lubrication
A well-lubricated belt moves quietly under load, so a treadmill that gets louder over time is telling you something.
The Console "Lube" Indicator Light
Most SOLE treadmills have a built-in maintenance reminder directly on the console. The "Lube" indicator activates automatically after 90 hours of use, giving you a clear, no-guesswork alert that it's time to lubricate. This is the most reliable signal and should never be ignored.
Increased Noise During Use
A squeaking, grinding, or unusually loud treadmill during a workout is a mechanical red flag. When the belt runs dry against the deck, friction generates noise that gets progressively worse the longer it goes unaddressed. If your SOLE treadmill has become noticeably louder than when you first started using it, lubrication should be your first troubleshooting step before assuming anything more serious is wrong.
Unusual Friction or Resistance While Walking or Running
If the belt feels sluggish, sticky, or like it's dragging under your feet, even at higher speed settings, that's friction from inadequate lubrication. You may also notice the motor working harder, which can show up as subtle speed inconsistencies during your workout. Left unresolved, this mechanical stress accelerates wear on both the belt and the drive motor.
What Lubricant Do You Use on a SOLE Treadmill?
SOLE lubricant goes on the running deck and nowhere else on the machine.
Use only SOLE Equipment Lubricant, which is 100% silicone-based and made for treadmills. SOLE's belts and decks are engineered with specific material tolerances, and silicone-based lubricant is chemically compatible with those materials.
Generic lubricants, petroleum-based products, or sprays like WD-40 contain compounds that can actively degrade SOLE's belt materials over time and leave residue that attracts dust and debris.
How to Lubricate a SOLE Treadmill
1. Gather Your Materials Before You Start
You'll need two things: SOLE Equipment Lubricant and an Allen wrench (hex key), which typically comes with your treadmill. Having both on hand keeps the process clean and efficient.
2. Loosen the Treadmill Belt with an Allen Wrench
Before you can access the underside of the belt, you need to create enough slack to slide the lubricant applicator underneath. Insert the Allen wrench into the rear roller adjustment bolt on one side of the treadmill and turn it counterclockwise, counting your turns so you can reverse them exactly.
Check your model's manual for the number of turns. Repeat on the opposite side, keeping both sides even so the belt doesn't shift out of alignment.
You only need enough slack to comfortably slide your hand or the applicator tube under the belt edge. Don't loosen it so much that the belt visibly sags.
3. Apply Lubricant in a Zig-Zag Pattern Under the Belt
Slide the applicator nozzle under the belt from the side, reaching toward the center of the deck. Apply the lubricant in a zig-zag pattern along each side of the deck, creating a line approximately 15 inches long per side.
This coverage pattern ensures the lubricant distributes evenly across the contact surface between the belt and deck. Don't over-apply; a thin, even layer is better than a heavy coating.
4. Retighten the Belt & Walk on It to Spread the Lubricant
Once the lubricant is applied, retighten the rear roller bolts with the Allen wrench; turn clockwise the same number of turns you loosened them. Then plug the treadmill back in, set it to a slow walking speed (around 3 mph), and walk on it for at least five minutes. This distributes the lubricant evenly across the full belt and deck surface, working it into the contact area where it does its job.
5. Reset the Lube Reminder
On current models, power the treadmill off and on three times to clear the message from the console. Older consoles use a menu sequence instead, so check your own manual if the power cycle doesn't clear it.
How Often Should You Lubricate Your SOLE Treadmill?
Lubricate every 90 hours of use, or every 90 days regardless of use, since the deck can dry out either way. The console "Lube" indicator lights after 90 hours, so it handles the first half for you.
Reach under the belt every other month and feel whether any lubrication is present on the deck. If it's dry, lubricate even if the indicator hasn't lit yet.
The SOLE TT8 is the exception to the standard lubrication schedule. Its 25 mm deck is waxed rather than lubricated, and SOLE specifies no lubrication. The deck is also reversible, so you can flip it when one side wears.
SOLE Treadmill Maintenance Checklist
Switch the treadmill off at the wall before you clean around the motor or under the belt.
Wipe Down the Belt & Deck After Every Use
Sweat that drips onto the belt and side rails can corrode metal components over time. A quick wipe-down with a dry cloth after every session takes a few seconds and prevents cumulative damage that compounds over months of use.
Vacuum Around & Inside the Motor Hood Regularly
Fine particles get drawn into the motor housing through normal airflow, and that buildup traps heat around the motor and drive components. Every other month, remove the motor hood cover and clear out the dust with a narrow vacuum attachment or compressed air. Check your owner's manual for the removal steps on your model.
Check Belt Alignment on a Consistent Schedule
A misaligned belt drifts to one side during use, wearing the belt edges and the deck unevenly. Check it monthly by running the treadmill at a moderate walking speed and watching the belt from behind. It should sit centered, with equal spacing on both sides.
If it has drifted, here is how to align it:
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Locate the rear roller bolt on the left side of the treadmill.
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If the belt moves left, tighten the left rear roller bolt by ¼ turn clockwise; if it moves right, tighten the right rear roller bolt by ¼ turn clockwise.
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Run the treadmill for a few minutes, then check the centering again and repeat if needed.
Protect Your SOLE Treadmill With Regular Upkeep
Keeping your treadmill lubricated and clean is the difference between a machine that lasts and one that needs an expensive repair. We make the job easier by building the reminder into the machine, so the console "Lube" indicator tells you when the deck needs attention.
The SOLE Equipment Lubricant is 100% silicone, formulated for the belts and decks we build. Pick up a bottle and keep the lifetime frame and motor warranty on your side.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do all SOLE treadmills need lubrication?
Most models use a standard belt and deck that needs lubricant on schedule, though there are exceptions. The TT8 uses a waxed 25mm deck that needs no lubrication. Check the maintenance section of your owner's manual if you are unsure which you have.
Can I use WD-40 to lubricate my SOLE treadmill?
No, WD-40 is a water displacer and light solvent, not a lubricant for belts and decks. The manual is explicit: use only SOLE-approved lubricant, and it also rules out silicone caulking and anything with a spray- or foam-based formula. Use 100% silicone made for treadmills.
How do I know if I have applied too much lubricant?
The clearest sign is a slippery feeling on the top of the belt, where your feet land. You might also see lubricant pooling at the belt edges or dark residue building up along the inner edges after a few uses. Stop using the treadmill if the running surface feels slick underfoot.
How do I fix over-lubrication?
Wipe away as much as you can reach from the belt edges and the exposed deck with a clean, dry cloth. Then run the treadmill for a few minutes without standing on it, which helps spread and absorb the rest. That usually clears it without removing the belt.
Where can I buy SOLE-approved treadmill lubricant?
The SOLE Equipment Lubricant is sold on the SOLE site under Accessories, and the same bottle works on SOLE treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, rowers, and SRVO. It is 100% food grade silicone, which is the type SOLE specifies for its decks. Buying it direct also means you are getting the genuine product rather than a third-party lubricant that may not match.
*Disclaimer: Products and prices mentioned in this article are accurate as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Please visit the official SOLE website for the most current information.
