Proper Way to Check for Your Car’s Differentials

You’ve been told time and time again about the importance of regular maintenance. Among the things you can never miss is ensuring that the engine is at the right level.

While this fluid is indeed an important component in keeping your ride running, there is another mechanism in the car that most owners often fail to check and that’s the differentials. In case you don’t know, differentials are responsible for supplying power to your wheels.

Without it, maneuvering your car to the direction you want to go can be extremely difficult. Additionally, a failing differential may cause serious road accidents.

That’s why it’s important that you perform regular checks to the fluid levels as well as gear components to ensure it’ll work without a hitch. To help you do that, an auto repair shop that handles all types of differentials in Salt Lake City provides some basic steps in inspecting your car. Below are some of them.

1. Jack up the front and rear of your car.

To check the front and rear differential of your engine, you’ll have to jack up your vehicle carefully. For this, ensure that you park the car in an even and solid surface. You have to ensure that it is level properly in order to check if there’s sufficient gear oil for your differentials to run.

2. Locate the front and rear differentials.

Once you’ve leveled up the car, the next step would be finding the differentials. For the rear, all you have to do is to follow the drive shaft of your car.

It usually goes from the engine transmissions all the way to the rear wheels. Look for a pumpkin-shaped metal, and that’s where your rear differential is. As for the front, you’ll find where it is exactly by reading the manual.

3. Start checking the oil levels.

man checking the oil level of carOnce you’ve located the differentials, you may now start with the inspection. For the rear, it is often easy to tell. Once you open the fluid or service port, you may measure the oil level by inserting your finger.

If you’re able to touch the oil while poking into the port, then it means that there’s sufficient fluid. When you’re not able to reach anything, then it’s a sign that your gear needs some serious refilling.

4. Refill the differential with the right fluid.

There are virtually tons of gear oil available in the market. In order to ensure your car will run without a hitch, it’s important that you find the right fluid type of refilling it with. Read the owner’s manual to find which type of oil you need.

If you’re not sure that it is the right one, then you may always consult an auto mechanic to find out the most suitable oil to use. For further help, it’s best to seek or talk to your most trusted car mechanic to assist you with anything.

Many car owners would usually prefer to have it done in an auto shop, but if you’re confident about doing it, then you could also do that. The important thing is you regularly check and inspect them to avoid any troubles.

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