Rear Differential Maintenance

Rear Differential Cover

Rear differential maintenance and changing the fluid is not required as much these days as with many other maintenance services on modern vehicles. But completely ignoring the differential is not recommended in case problems should develop.

A regular maintenance routine includes inspecting the gear lubricant level and condition. You can check your owner’s manual for recommended intervals and your auto repair manuals for specifications as well as the types of fluids to be used.

In the case of rear wheel drive vehicles different types of gear oil are used in different makes and models. Since there is no filter inside fluid can become contaminated with metal flakes and moisture.

Most rear differentials will have magnets either mounted inside or as part of the drain plug to help remove metal particles from the circulating lubricant. In some limited slip rear differentials special lubricants that contain a friction modifier are required. Read more