Sorry, cracks are not "normal" if they were they would come cracked out of the package...your belt probably is original..plan on buying the tensioner with the belt as it will probably explode like mine did....do the regular maintenence like your doing and you'll be happy with the car..

96 zetec gl.dynomax exhaust(self bent) KKM intake..Bridgestone Potenza RE-910's...other mods also
87' Ford Thunderbird..Now my daily driver ( the wife uses the contour mostly) true dual exhaust with the super mystery mod.(hey there not even there!) tinted windows and stereo upgrade. the $200 car is starting to be a great car