How Often to Change Differential Fluid (and Fluid Change Cost)
Your car’s differentials are the unsung heroes, quietly working away to optimize performance. Don’t neglect differential fluid changes! Though infrequent, they prevent early wear and tear that leads to costly repairs or even more expensive replacement.
In this article, we’ll look at the importance of differential fluid, why it needs to be changed, and the consequences of neglecting this often-overlooked task.
Why Differential Fluid Is Important
Differential fluid, also known as gear oil, plays a very important role in your vehicle. It provides lubrication to the gears in the differential, reducing friction and wear. When you take corners, the differential allows your wheels to rotate at different speeds, resulting in smooth handling and stability.
This vital fluid helps to dissipate heat generated by the gears during operation, and it also protects them from corrosion and rust. By maintaining proper lubrication, you’re making sure that your vehicle’s differential runs smoothly and lasts longer.
Differentials are found in all cars. Sometimes a differential may be found on the rear side of a vehicle and sometimes it’s found on the front side. Some cars even have differentials on both ends.
If you have a front differential in your car with a transaxle built in, then the rear differential will use a different type of oil.
Usually, when a vehicle has a front differential with a built-in transaxle, it will require a fully synthetic oil (like Oil SAE 75 to 85). As for the rear differential, it will need a thicker oil that’s around SAE 90.
How Often Should the Rear Differential Fluid Be Changed?
The recommendation of most car manufacturers is that you change your rear differential fluid about every 30,000 miles to 60,000 miles. Look at the owner’s manual of your car to find the exact mileage amount.
This interval gets shorter the harder you drive your vehicle. Most manuals have a “severe driving conditions” section that will give you a shorter interval, if any of the listed conditions apply to your specific environment and use case.
When you are ready to change the fluid, have a licensed mechanic do it so that you don’t mess anything up. It is a dirty job and the differential fluid needs to be thrown away properly.
Some differentials have a drain and fill plug to make the process easier. In some cases, a new gasket will need to be installed and the differential housing parts will have to be cleaned of any existing contaminants that may still be there from the older fluid. That way, these contaminants won’t get mixed into the new fluid and cause problems there.
Related: Car Fluid Check Interval (for 9 Common Fluids)
How Often Should the Front Differential Fluid Be Changed?
If your front differential shares a housing with a manual transaxle, your front differential fluid may need to be changed as often as 25,000 to 30,000 miles. Again, check the owner’s manual to confirm the exact mileage amount for your specific vehicle.
Since the manual transaxle and front differential share the same fluid, you’re changing them both at the same time. As with the rear differential, the front differential fluid should only be changed by a licensed mechanic unless you’re comfortable performing this yourself.
If you do plan on changing differential fluid yourself, be prepared to undergo a messy job. Gear oil is thick, smells pretty bad, and it won’t come out of your clothing very easily. While a drain plug exists in some rear differentials, other rear differentials have a housing cover that needs to be removed instead.
Have a wide catch pan ready with a plastic drop cloth underneath it. Turn on your vehicle and drive it around the block for a couple of minutes so that the oil can be warmed up. Then, change into some work clothes and get ready to get dirty. If the gear oil is at or near operating temperature, it’s a good idea to wear gloves so you don’t burn yourself.
Of course, you could just hire a mechanic and save yourself the trouble of getting dirty. Plus, going to a professional will ensure the job is done right so that you have more safety and less risk of mistakes being made.
See Also: 5 Specific Causes of Front Differential Leaks
Differential Fluid Change Cost
Changing differential fluid isn’t too expensive. The fluid itself can cost between $20 and $80, and labor will run between $60 and $120. All together, you’re looking at somewhere in the range of $80 to $200 to change your differential fluid depending on your vehicle, where you take it, and how much differential fluid it needs.
To fill up each differential, you’ll need anywhere from 1 to 4 quarts of oil in most cases (again dependent on the vehicle model).
Note that the cost above only applies to a single differential housing. If you have all wheel drive, you may need to double the cost depending on your maintenance interval.
Problems of Not Changing Differential Fluid
Not changing your differential fluid can lead to several issues in the long run. Like engine oil, this gear oil is necessary for reducing friction within your vehicle’s transmission system. If you ignore this aspect of maintenance, you’ll start to experience problems that could have easily been avoided.
For instance, friction levels will increase as the fluid becomes less effective over time. This can result in wear on your truck’s differential and transmission components. When gears grind against each other without enough lubrication, they wear down prematurely, leading to costly repairs down the line.
Another issue that may arise is the creation of annoying noises, such as a whining sound coming from the differential. These noises can be a sign that the fluid needs to be changed immediately to prevent further damage to your vehicle’s transmission system.
So, for the sake of your vehicle’s performance and the longevity of its components, it’s important to change the differential fluid as recommended by the manufacturer. This way, you’ll avoid the potential headaches that come with neglecting this vital maintenance task.
FAQs
How Long Does It Take to Change Differential Fluid?
Having a dealership, independent mechanic, or quick lube place like Jiffy Lube change your differential fluid usually take 30 minutes to 1 hour in most cases. Doing it on your own may take 1-2 hours for most individuals.
This timeframe includes the process of draining the old fluid, flushing the differential (if necessary), and refilling it with fresh fluid. Keep in mind that the actual time may vary, depending on where you go and the complexity of your vehicle’s differential system.
Does the Type of Vehicle Affect the Fluid Change Interval?
Absolutely! The type of vehicle can affect how often you should change your differential fluid. Generally, manufacturers recommend changing the fluid every 30,000 to 60,000 miles for most vehicles. However, specific intervals may vary depending on your vehicle model and if it is subjected to heavy use, such as towing or off-roading.
For example, if you drive a performance vehicle or one with a limited-slip differential, you might need to change the fluid more frequently, as these types of differentials may experience more stress and wear. Similarly, trucks and SUVs used for towing or off-road activities may require more frequent fluid changes to maintain optimal performance and longevity.
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How do I know if my drive axle fluid needs to be changed on my 2017 Cadillac ATS?
Are you referring to transmission fluid? The owner’s manual should have an interval if that fluid needs to be serviced. Some automatic transmissions are sealed and have lifetime fluid these days.
How do check the l level of my rear-end
You should be able to pull the fill plug and feel the level near the top. Do this on flat ground, of course.