Why Your Vehicle Needs a Differential Fluid Change: Expert Service at TIRECRAFT

Your vehicle’s differential plays a critical role in ensuring smooth handling and performance. It allows your wheels to rotate at different speeds while driving, especially when turning corners. Over time, the differential fluid that lubricates and cools these parts can break down, leading to poor performance and potential damage. That is why changing your differential fluid at regular intervals is essential to keeping your vehicle in top shape.

At TIRECRAFT, we specialize in differential fluid changes for all types of vehicles, ensuring that your car, truck, or SUV stays safe and performs its best. This blog will explore why differential fluid changes are important, how the process works, and why you should trust TIRECRAFT for this vital service.

What is Differential Fluid, and Why is it Important?

Differential fluid, also known as gear oil, is a lubricant that keeps the gears inside your vehicle’s differential working smoothly. Whether you drive a front-wheel, rear-wheel, or all-wheel drive vehicle, the differential ensures that your wheels rotate at different speeds while cornering, preventing unnecessary wear and tear.

Over time, the differential fluid can become contaminated with dirt and metal particles from normal use. If left unchanged, this can lead to increased friction, overheating, and even damage to your differential. A differential fluid change removes the old, contaminated fluid. It is replaced with fresh, clean oil to keep the differential functioning properly.

Signs You Need a Differential Fluid Change

Knowing when to change your differential fluid is crucial for maintaining your vehicle’s performance. While it is generally recommended to have a differential fluid change at regular intervals (every 30,000 to 60,000 kilometers, depending on your vehicle), certain signs can indicate it is time for a change sooner:

Grinding or whining noises: If you hear unusual noises coming from your differential or rear axle, it could be a sign that the differential fluid is low or contaminated.

Leaking fluid: If you notice fluid leaking from the differential area, it clearly indicates that it needs attention.

Vibration or poor handling: Difficulty turning or experiencing unusual vibrations while driving could result from low or dirty differential fluid.

Scheduled maintenance: Regular intervals for differential fluid changes help prevent these issues before they start.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is time to visit TIRECRAFT for a professional inspection and differential fluid change.

How a Differential Fluid Change Works

At TIRECRAFT, we follow a thorough process to ensure that your differential fluid is changed correctly, keeping your vehicle in optimal condition. Here is what you can expect during the service:

Lift the Vehicle

Using a hydraulic lift or jack stands, we safely raise your vehicle to access the differential. This step is crucial for ensuring the job is done efficiently and safely.

Drain the Old Fluid

The next step is to remove the old, contaminated fluid. This is done by opening the differential drain plug and allowing the fluid to flow out. We will also inspect the drain plug for any metal shavings, which could indicate internal wear.

Clean the Differential

Once the old fluid has been drained, we will clean the differential housing to remove any remaining debris. This ensures that the new fluid stays clean for as long as possible.

Refill with Fresh Fluid

After the differential has been cleaned, we refill it with the manufacturer-recommended gear oil. This step is critical to ensuring that your rear differential (or front, depending on your vehicle) is properly lubricated and ready to handle the demands of driving.

Final Inspection

Before finishing the service, our technicians check to ensure everything is sealed correctly and there are no leaks.

The Importance of Regular Differential Fluid Changes

Just like changing your engine oil, changing your differential fluid regularly is essential for maintaining your vehicle’s health. If the differential fluid is not changed, it can lead to costly repairs or even differential failure. Regular maintenance ensures that your vehicle’s wheels can move smoothly without causing strain on your drivetrain.

At TIRECRAFT, we recommend following your vehicle manufacturer’s guidelines for differential fluid changes, typically every 30,000 to 60,000 kilometres. This can vary depending on your vehicle type and driving conditions.

Why Choose TIRECRAFT for Your Differential Fluid Change?

When keeping your vehicle in top condition, TIRECRAFT offers expert differential fluid changes you can trust. Here is why you should choose us:

Expert Technicians: Our technicians are trained and experienced in handling differential fluid changes for all types of vehicles.

Quality Gear Oil: We use high-quality, manufacturer-recommended gear oil to ensure your differential stays lubricated and protected.

Comprehensive Service: We thoroughly inspect your vehicle’s differential and surrounding components to catch any potential issues before they become major problems.

Regular differential fluid changes are a vital part of maintaining your vehicle’s performance and longevity. At TIRECRAFT, we provide expert service to keep your differential running smoothly, no matter the type of vehicle you drive. If it is time for a differential fluid change, visit your nearest TIRECRAFT location today for professional and reliable service.