What Is a Differential and Do You Have One?
June 1, 2017
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 Top Tech Auto Repair Royal Oak in Royal Oak at 248-585-0980 for information about differential service, or stop by our Royal Oak, Michigan, auto center at 3110 Rochester Rd, 48073.
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 Top Tech Auto Repair Royal Oak 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 Top Tech Auto Repair Royal Oak 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 248-585-0980 for more information about your differential service.
Top Tech Auto Repair Royal Oak
3110 Rochester Rd
Royal Oak, Michigan 48073
248-585-0980
http://www.toptechautorepairroyaloak.com
Need Service?
More articles from Top Tech Auto Repair Royal Oak

Getting from E to F (Fuel Gauge Problems)
April 27, 2025
Who thinks about their fuel gauge? You probably don't until it doesn't work any more. Then you have to guess how much fuel is in your tank, and that's no way to live life on the road. Fuel gauges, like every other part in your vehicle, can fail. And when yours stops working, you will probably... More

A Fluid Situation (Check Fluid Levels)
April 20, 2025
There's one fluid in your car you are always careful to keep at a certain level: the fuel. If you don't have fuel, you're not going anywhere. Your vehicle has other fluids which are vitally important to proper and safe operation, too. So, here's a "level" headed approach to those "other" fluids... More

STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT STEERING (Loose Steering)
April 13, 2025
Perhaps you've heard someone use the term "loose steering." And it's pretty much what it sounds like. You turn the steering wheel and the vehicle's wheels don't seem to go exactly where you thought you were pointing them. You have to constantly make steering adjustments. Loose steering is slop... More