Understanding your vehicle's Differential oil and the importance of its maintenance
A differential is a set of gears that lets your vehicle's drive wheels turn at different speeds to prevent binding in turns. Most rear-wheel-drive (RWD), 4x4 and all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicles have a differential housing separate from the transaxle. Differential oil provides lubrication and heat dissipation for internal components. Over time, heat and contaminants can cause the differential fluid to lose its lubricating properties. It is recommended to inspect the differential for any leaks and check the fluid level regularly as well as change the fluid at the specified intervals.