(FORMERLY BAUER'S AUTO REPAIR) 

Tel:  (510) 841-0475  

1790 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94703

​Fellows Auto Repair ​

The Basics Behind Differential Services 
Many vehicles need a properly working differential system for the smoothest ride possible. While all vehicles have some variation of a differential system, the location of the differential depends on the drive type of the vehicle. The differential system delivers power to the wheels while allowing the wheels to turn at different speeds. As your vehicle maneuvers through a turn, each wheel on the car travels a different distance. The two wheels on the outside of the turn travel a farther distance than the two wheels on the inside, and the back wheels cover a different distance than the front wheels. The differential permits the vehicle to complete turns easily despite these differences. Differential fluid keeps the differential system running smoothly by reducing heat and resistance caused by moving parts.



Why Should You Have Differential Services Performed?

Heat from friction will gradually cause the differential fluid to break down, making it harder to keep the differential properly lubricated. The degraded differential fluid causes poor differential performance, excessive noise, and disproportionate wear. In severe cases, old fluid will eventually cause a differential breakdown, if not a complete differential failure, which means that your entire differential system will need to be replaced. Replacing an entire differential system is costly and can be avoided with routine maintenance as indicated by your owner’s manual, which will provide you with specific intervals for servicing your differential. Depending on your needs, when you undergo a differential service, various components of your differential system will be checked and possibly repaired or replaced in order to keep your vehicle running efficiently.