Differential Service in Sterling Heights, Michigan - What You Need to Know
March 7, 2020
Scratching your head? Don't worry, if you don't know what a differential is – you will in a moment. That fact is that if you drive a car anywhere in Sterling Heights, Michigan, you have a differential. Whether your vehicle is front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, you have a differential. Some Sterling Heights vehicles might even have two or three.
Not surprisingly, a differential's job is to compensate for differences; specifically, they're the differences in wheel speed when turning. For instance, imagine taking a corner near your Sterling Heights, Michigan, home. Your inside wheel has a shorter distance to travel than the outside wheel as you turn the corner. That means that your outside wheel has to turn faster to keep pace with the inside wheel.
The differential allows the wheels to turn at different speeds while still providing power to your vehicle. Without a differential, Sterling Heights residents' tires would scrub and hop along the pavement during turns like the early cars.
Ever noticed the big bulge in the middle of the rear axle on trucks? That's the differential. Rear-wheel drive vehicles have a differential in back. Most four-wheel drive trucks and SUVs will also have a similar differential on the front axle. A front-wheel drive vehicle's differential is called a transaxle because it combines the differential and transmission in one unit. An all-wheel drive vehicle will have a differential or transfer case that adjusts for speed differences between the front and rear drive wheels.
It can seem a little complex to some Sterling Heights drivers - but you can see that all of the engine's power is routed through your differentials. They're strong enough to handle the work, but- we've said it before - they need to be properly lubricated in order to stay strong. So from time to time, you need to schedule a differential service in Sterling Heights at Sterling Tire & Auto. The used fluid is drained and replaced with clean fluid. Some advise certain differentials to have special additives installed.
Get your differential serviced at Sterling Tire & Auto in Sterling Heights.
Sterling Tire & Auto
34701 Van Dyke Rd
Sterling Heights, Michigan 48312
586-264-7775
Need Service?
More articles from Sterling Tire & Auto
Helping Your Engine Breathe Easier
October 11, 2026
You may have heard someone tell you its time to replace your vehicles engine air filter and thought, Its OK. Ill do it in a while. While its tempting to put that off, keep in mind that having your engine air filter replaced is one of the easiest ways to maintain your vehicles performance and ef... More
Leaking Oil Isn’t Normal: When a Valve Cover Gasket Needs Replacing
October 4, 2026
Lets say you discover a little oil leak in your vehicle and you think, Its small. Its no big deal. Remember that no oil leak is ever normal, and it might be a sign that your valve cover gasket is failing. That gasket is what seals the top of your engine. It keeps oil inside while your engine ... More
Smooth Operator
September 27, 2026
Were used to bringing a vehicle to a stop and hardly noticing the engines even running when were sitting still. But sometimes you might notice it running rough when youre idling. Your vehicle is shaking, vibrating and making sputtering noises. You may even notice the tachometer on your instrum... More