Back to all

What Is a Differential and Do You Have One?

July 17, 2022

Please wait while the video is loading...

With front-wheel drive being so common these days in Royal Oak, Michigan, the differential is just taken care of during a transmission service, so most Royal Oak drivers don't even have to think about it. And rear-wheel drive differentials don't need to be serviced for years, so it's understandable that it's not something on the top of Royal Oak customers' minds. It's not uncommon for drivers to not know they have a differential let alone know that it needs service.

Call TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires in Royal Oak at 248-541-8300 for information about differential service, or stop by our Royal Oak, Michigan, auto center at 1735 N Main St, 48067.

To better understand what a differential does, think about our local Royal Oak high school track. There are lanes marked off on the track. For the longer distance races, the starting lines are staggered. The starting lines for the outside lanes are ahead of the starting lines for the inside lanes. That's to compensate for the longer length of the outside lanes. Staggering the starting lines means that each runner has the same distance to run.

The differential compensates for the difference in speeds between the inside wheel and the outside wheel in a turn, because they have to travel together through slightly different distances.

It's a very important function. When you think of it, all the power to get a vehicle moving goes through the differential. Most cars in the Royal Oak, Michigan area weigh between 3,000 and 6,000 pounds (1,400 and 2,800 kg) – trucks even more. The power from the engine goes through the transmission and then through the differential to the drive wheels.

That's a lot of work and requires very heavy duty parts. And those parts need protection. The differential fluid lubricates the gears in the differential and keeps them cool.

The fluid eventually gets dirty and worn down. Some kinds of differentials require special additives that break down over time. So vehicle manufacturers recommend intervals for replacing your differential fluid.

The professionals at TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires will drain the used fluid and check it out for metal bits, which could be a sign of excessive wear on the gears. Then they’ll replace the fluid and install the additives if necessary.

Your TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires service advisor can look up the vehicle manufacture's recommended service interval or you can check your owner's manual. Give us a call at 248-541-8300 for more information about your differential service.

TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires
1735 N Main St
Royal Oak, Michigan 48067
248-541-8300
http://www.tlcautocareroyaloak.com

Need Service?

More articles from TLC Auto Care

The Engine Gets a Boost (Turbocharged Engine Maintenance)

May 4, 2025

If someone told you that your vehicle could have the same power but with a smaller engine, wouldn't that sound like great idea? Just think, a smaller engine would save you money at the gas station and you'd still get the same horsepower. The technology to do just that has been around for a long t... More

The Byte Stuff (Your Vehicle's Computers)

April 27, 2025

Nobody has to tell you that computers are a part of so many things in our lives. Smartphones, kitchen appliances, vacuum cleaners, televisions. You name itit has a computer in it. And your vehicle is no exception. The earliest cars relied on the technology of their time, and there was no such ... More

I Can See Clearly (Wiper Blade Replacement)

April 20, 2025

Warm weather can bring severe storms, and when the rain is coming down hard, that's one time you really need to be able to see as clearly as possible out your windshield. Having wiper blades that are fit for the job are important to maintain that safe view. Maybe you live in a climate where you ... More