What Is a Differential and Do You Have One?

With front-wheel drive being so common these days in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the differential is just taken care of during a transmission service, so most Fort Wayne 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 Fort Wayne customers' minds. It's not uncommon for drivers to not know they have a differential let alone know that it needs service.

Call Tuffy Fort Wayne - Coldwater in Fort Wayne at 260.483.2236 for information about differential service, or stop by our Fort Wayne, Indiana, auto center at 4501 Coldwater Rd., 46825.

To better understand what a differential does, think about our local Fort Wayne 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 Fort Wayne, Indiana 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 Tuffy Fort Wayne - Coldwater 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 Tuffy Fort Wayne - Coldwater 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 260.483.2236 for more information about your differential service.

Tuffy Fort Wayne - Coldwater
4501 Coldwater Rd.
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825
260.483.2236