Posted on: 6/1/2025

Most drivers don’t think about the differential during routine maintenance, but it’s working every time you hit the road. Whether you’re turning a corner, driving through snow, or cruising the highway, the differential helps your wheels rotate at different speeds so your car handles smoothly. If it’s never been on your radar, here are five things you should know about keeping your differential in good shape. 1. What the Differential Does Most vehicles have at least one differential—some have more. Its job is to split the engine’s power and send it to the wheels, allowing them to turn at different speeds when needed. For example, when you take a corner, the outside wheel has to travel a slightly longer distance than the inside wheel. The differential compensates for this difference so your tires don’t drag or skip across the pavement. If your vehicle is rear-wheel drive, the differential is in the back. If it’s front-w ... read more