Best Auto Repair, Quincy

CONTACT US
FacebookGoogle+

Call us for all your car needs! 217-228-9141

TECHNET
Spring Street
Automotive Reviews

AUTONET TV

The Spring Street Automotive Inc Guide to Servicing Your Differential

Posted December 22, 2019 10:56 AM

Differential? What's that? And what's it for? I've been told by my service advisor that I need to get it serviced, but is that on the level?

Do these questions sound familiar? They're not uncommon for Quincy drivers. A lot of us in Quincy don't know what a differential is or what it's for. Every vehicle has a differential, and, yes, it does need to be serviced. In fact, it's more important to the operation of your vehicle than the air conditioner or windshield wipers.

A differential allows your vehicle tires to move at different speeds. This happens more than you think. The best example is when a vehicle is turning. The inside wheel travels a much shorter distance than the outside wheel during a turn. This means the outside wheel has to move faster than the inside wheel. Without a differential, your tires would hop and skip while turning. They would also lose traction in sand or snow.

The location of your differential depends on what kind of vehicle you drive. On a rear-wheel drive vehicle, the differential is located in the back. For a front-wheel drive vehicle, it is located on the front, but it is usually called a transaxle. Four-wheel drive vehicles have three differentials: one on the front, one in the back and one in the middle. This center differential compensates for differences in speed between the front and rear wheels.

Your differential contains strong gears that need to be protected from dirt, debris, water and other contaminants. A differential is sometimes referred to as a “gear box.” The work of these gears is to transfer power from the vehicle drive train to the wheels.

Your differential needs fluid to lubricate and cool the gears. This fluid, even though enclosed in the “gear box,” can get dirty because the gears grind down over time, releasing tiny bits of themselves into the fluid. Also, the additives in the differential fluid break down and need to be replaced. That's why preventive maintenance for your vehicle needs to include servicing the differential.

Your owner's manual can give you recommendations on how often to service your differential. But you should also consult with your friendly and knowledgeable Spring Street Automotive Inc professional. Spring Street Automotive Inc can give you some good auto advice on whether your vehicle needs to be serviced more frequently. For example, if you drive in hot or cold IL weather conditions, your differential will need to have its fluid changed more often.

Severe conditions will also affect your vehicle care routine and your differential. Check your owner's manual for a definition of “severe service” conditions that affect your vehicle. Examples may include driving with frequent stops and starts, a lot of short trips around Quincy, hot or cold IL weather conditions and towing.

Off-roading is particularly hard on a vehicle's differential. If you are an off-roader, especially if you cross IL streams or waterways, it is important that you service your differential more frequently than the recommendations suggest.

Properly servicing your differential will extend its life and keep you out of Quincy auto repair shops. A smooth ride is the result of proper preparation and smart choices.

 Spring Street Automotive Inc
1701 Spring Street
Quincy, IL 62301
217-228-9141
http://www.springstreetauto.com

 



Search



Archive

June 2015 (3)
July 2015 (1)
September 2015 (2)
October 2015 (5)
November 2015 (3)
December 2015 (3)
February 2016 (2)
March 2016 (4)
April 2016 (4)
May 2016 (5)
June 2016 (4)
July 2016 (4)
August 2016 (5)
September 2016 (4)
October 2016 (4)
November 2016 (5)
December 2016 (4)
January 2017 (5)
February 2017 (4)
March 2017 (4)
April 2017 (3)
May 2017 (5)
June 2017 (4)
July 2017 (5)
August 2017 (3)
September 2017 (3)
October 2017 (4)
November 2017 (5)
December 2017 (3)
January 2018 (5)
February 2018 (4)
March 2018 (4)
April 2018 (5)
May 2018 (4)
June 2018 (4)
July 2018 (5)
August 2018 (4)
September 2018 (5)
October 2018 (4)
November 2018 (4)
December 2018 (5)
January 2019 (5)
February 2019 (3)
March 2019 (5)
April 2019 (4)
May 2019 (4)
June 2019 (5)
July 2019 (4)
August 2019 (4)
September 2019 (5)
October 2019 (4)
November 2019 (4)
December 2019 (5)
January 2020 (5)
February 2020 (4)
March 2020 (5)
April 2020 (4)
May 2020 (5)
June 2020 (4)
July 2020 (4)
August 2020 (5)
September 2020 (4)
October 2020 (4)
November 2020 (5)
December 2020 (4)
January 2021 (6)
February 2021 (4)
March 2021 (4)
April 2021 (4)
May 2021 (5)
June 2021 (4)
July 2021 (4)
August 2021 (5)
September 2021 (4)
October 2021 (5)
November 2021 (4)
December 2021 (4)
January 2022 (6)
February 2022 (4)
March 2022 (4)
April 2022 (4)
May 2022 (5)
June 2022 (4)
July 2022 (5)
August 2022 (4)
September 2022 (4)
October 2022 (5)
November 2022 (4)
December 2022 (4)
January 2023 (5)
February 2023 (4)
March 2023 (4)
April 2023 (5)
May 2023 (4)
June 2023 (4)
July 2023 (5)
August 2023 (4)
September 2023 (4)
October 2023 (5)
November 2023 (4)
December 2023 (5)
January 2024 (5)
February 2024 (4)
March 2024 (4)

Categories

Air Conditioning (10)Alignment (15)Alternator (4)Auto Safety (5)Automotive News (8)Battery (13)Brakes (17)Cabin Air Filter (6)Check Engine Light (4)Cooling System (15)Customer Detective Work (1)Dashboard (2)Diagnostics (5)Diesel Maintenance (1)Differential Service (3)Drive Train (8)Emergency Items (1)Engine Air Filter (2)Exhaust (8)Fluids (14)Fuel Economy (6)Fuel Saving Tip: Slow Down (1)Fuel System (39)Headlamps (3)Inspection (6)Keys to a long lasting vehicle (4)Maintenance (46)Monitoring System (3)Oil Change (6)Older Vehicles (4)Parts (7)PCV Valve (2)Safe Driving (1)Safety (5)Serpentine Belt (5)Service Intervals (9)Service Standards (11)Shocks & Struts (8)Steering (8)Suspension (3)Timing Belt (5)Tire Rotation and Balancing (2)Tires (5)Tires and Wheels (33)TPMS (2)Transmission (8)Trip Inspection (2)Warranty (1)What Customers Should Know (48)Wheel Bearings (1)Windshield Wipers (9)Winter Prep (3)Winter Tires (1)

ASSOCIATIONS

  • ASE (Automotive Service Excellence)
  • Quincy Chamber of Commerce Member
  • Car Care Aware