Differential Service

Why Differential Service Is a Necessary Part of Car Maintenance

Like all other vehicle systems, the moving parts in a differential wear down over time. The differential fluid keeps the gears lubricated, so they can generally last the lifetime of the car, but it becomes inefficient when contaminated. Small shavings of metal can be stripped from the gears themselves, or pieces of the gasket sealing the tank can flake off into the oil. Additionally, a leak can develop which often goes unnoticed and lowers the amount of oil available. The leak can also allow condensation to form inside the tank, and the water will disrupt the function of the oil.

What Can Happen if the Differential Isn’t Serviced

If the differential isn’t serviced at proper intervals, the reality is that you won’t notice any problems at first. Eventually, however, the gears will either lock in place or crack and break. If they lock in place, the car is going to essentially be running on a single axle without speed distribution to the wheels, which is going to negatively affect the handling, cause uncomfortable vibrations, lower the vehicle’s gas mileage, and eventually break. Not only is it going to be more expensive to replace the gears than conduct the routine service of fluid exchange, but it’s likely to damage the surrounding parts as well.Once the gears break, no energy will be transferred to the wheels and the car will have to be towed to the service shop, likely after having broken down and leaving the driver and passengers stranded on the side of the road.