The vehicle’s differential is a set of enclosed gears that distribute torque from the driveshaft to the axles, and in turn to the wheels. Without a differential, each tire would be forced to turn at the same speed all the time. Consider when turning how the inner tire has a smaller radius, so it has to go slightly slower than the outer wheel to maintain stability.
If the wheels were turning at the same speed, one or the other would be forced to either skip or drag across the road, resulting in a loss of vehicle control. Differential service is draining the oil which lubricates those gears, checking it for contaminants, and refilling the tank with fresh oil. An experienced technician will also conduct a visual inspection of the system to look for any worn or damaged parts which might lead to a future problem.
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.
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.
Always allow an authorized dealer such as Carriage Kia of Woodstock, GA and serving the areas of Marietta, Rosell, Acworth, and Canton to perform service on your Kia vehicle. Our technicians are professional and trained to make repairs and maintenance quickly and efficiently.
630 Olde Rope Mill Park Rd,
Woodstock, GA 30188
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(678) 946-2633
Call Now630 Olde Rope Mill Park Rd • Woodstock, GA 30188
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