Back to all

What Is a Differential and Do You Have One?

December 18, 2022

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

Call Tuffy Elyria (Cleveland St) in Elyria at 440-322-3713 for information about differential service, or stop by our Elyria, Ohio, auto center at 165 Cleveland Street, 44035.

To better understand what a differential does, think about our local Elyria 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 Elyria, Ohio 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 Elyria (Cleveland St) 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 Elyria (Cleveland St) 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 440-322-3713 for more information about your differential service.

Tuffy Elyria (Cleveland St)
165 Cleveland Street
Elyria, Ohio 44035
440-322-3713
https://www.tuffyclevelandst.com

More articles from Tuffy Elyria (Cleveland St.)

Clean Slate (Protecting Vehicle's Finish)

May 12, 2024

Winter is one of the hardest times to keep your vehicle clean. But did you know neglecting to wash your vehicle in winter could cost you a significant amount of money in the long run? Here's why. Many areas deal with snow and ice in the winter, and the salt and sand that are used to keep the road... More

Diagnosing Your Vehicle at Tuffy Elyria (Cleveland St) in Elyria

May 5, 2024

When we Elyria residents get a car repair bill, we really shouldn't be surprised to find diagnostic fees as one of the line items. When we get a computer fixed, there is usually a charge for the time it takes to diagnose the problem. When we go to a medical doctor, most of his fee is for his abil... More

A Honking Big Jam (Stuck Horn)

April 28, 2024

At one time or another, most drivers honk their horn at someone who might be texting at a stoplight or not paying attention when they're driving. But what happens when you tap on your horn and all of a sudden it won't quit? Everyone's looking at you like you're an angry jerk and all you want to ... More