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[et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”]It’s something you may have heard of only vaguely if you are not a mechanic or a car enthusiast, but every vehicle has one. It’s called a differential, and it’s pretty important. The differential is the mechanism that allows the wheels on your vehicle to move smoothly and safely at differing speeds, which is critical when you make a turn because the outer wheels move faster than the inner wheels to keep the vehicle from skipping.
The differential is comprised of gears that control the spin of the wheels independently of each other. In addition to providing a vehicle the ability to navigate turns, the differential plays a big part in handling when traveling over slippery roads and loose or uneven terrain. When one wheel is unable to get traction the differential allows the other wheels to keep the vehicle moving and under control.
Differential service in Canton, Ohio
Like all moving parts in your vehicle, the series of gears in the differential need reliable lubrication to keep them operating efficiently and prevent them overheating and breaking down. But differential servicing is not the same for every vehicle, so you will want to check your owner’s manual for what is optimum.
The key is understanding the needs of your vehicle, which will vary depending on whether yours is front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive.
- In front-wheel drive vehicles, the differential is incorporated into the transmission and is called a transaxle. When you have your transmission serviced and change the fluid, the differential servicing is taken care of because they share the same fluid.
- Rear-wheel drive vehicles will have the differential in the rear, so the differential fluid is housed separately and must be serviced separately.
- All-wheel drive vehicles have differentials in the front and the rear. The front will typically be part of the transmission, but the rear will still have to be serviced separately.
Most car and truck differentials should be serviced every 30,000 to 60,000 miles, but checking your owner’s manual will tell you what is recommended for your vehicle. Servicing generally includes draining the old fluid, inspecting the housing and gears, and replacing with new fluid that includes the additives and conditioners your vehicle needs. Transmission service for front-wheel drive vehicles will include servicing of the transaxle and fluid replacement.
At HD Auto, we encourage you to schedule timely differential service for your vehicle, as differential fluid is as important to the operation of these gears as engine oil is to the rest of your vehicle’s moving engine parts. Call today to learn more about HD Auto’s differential service as well as all our auto services in Canton and Jackson Township, Ohio.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column]
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