What Are Differentials?
Every car component or part serves an important function. Some parts are more obvious than others. Case in point: what are differentials? If you’re not an auto mechanic, you probably don’t know that it exists or its function. However, it is crucial to know about differentials since it is a key car component. A car differential is necessary, whether you’re driving a front-wheel drive or an all-wheel drive system.
To learn more about what its purpose is for your car, keep reading the guide to find out more.
Key Takeaways
• A car differential is like any car component that functions to allow the vehicle to drive efficiently, especially when turning corners.
• There are three common types of car differentials: open, limited-slip, and torque-vectoring differentials. Each type has its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
• Like other car components, differentials require regular maintenance, such as monitoring and changing the differential fluid.
• Look out for signs of a damaged differential like uncharacteristic noises or a fluid leak. Repairing your differential can be costly, so it is important to address these issues before they become worse.
What Are Differentials?
The differential is an essential car component that provides torque to the drive wheels, enabling it to turn at various speeds. It is a necessary part of the vehicle, whether you are driving a front-, rear- or all-wheel drive.
It is a system that helps a car maintain efficient turning. When a vehicle turns, the outside wheel should travel farther, requiring it to rotate faster than the inside wheels.
The differential consists of many parts, such as the following:
• Ring and pinion gears
• Spider gears
• Side gears
The placement of the differential in a car varies according to its drive system. A front-wheel drive car comes with a front differential, and the four-wheel drive has a differential on the front and rear that allows it to drive power to the four wheels.
How Do Differentials Work?
The differential is part of the car’s axle assembly. It is linked to the transmission via the driveshaft. It generates power that is sent from the engine to the wheels, allowing the vehicle to turn. The main function is to split the engine torque two ways to ensure that each set of wheels can spin at varying speeds.
In layman’s term, the differential is responsible for allowing the vehicle to drive while the different sets of wheels rotate at varying speeds.
Each vehicle has a unique differential system and it varies according to the wheel drive. The differential is linked to the vehicle RPM or revolutions per minute. It ensures there is adequate torque on the wheels, which enables it to drive through resistance while ensuring there is enough traction for the wheels. When there is less resistance, it means the wheels can rotate faster.
For example, when turning your vehicle, one set of wheels (the inner wheels) reduces its RPM. But when you are driving straight, the opposing set of wheels (the outer wheels) increases its RPM.
It is worth noting that not all vehicles have differentials.
Types of Car Differentials
As mentioned, not all car differentials are the same. It varies according to the vehicle type and the wheel drive.
Here is an overview of the types of car differentials.
1. Open Differential
The open differential is the most common design available for most vehicles. It is also the most popular due to the simplicity and reliability of design.
In an open differential, the pinion gear is located the end of the driveshaft. It engages with the ring gear and splits the torque into two outputs so that wheels can rotate at different speeds.
This differential setup works on most production cars.
The main advantage of an open differential is the ease and affordability of its production. However, the downside is that one set of wheels can lose power if another loses traction. For this reason, open differentials are not suitable for vehicles driving over uneven surfaces or high-speed racing cars.
2. Limited-Slip Differential
The limited-slip differential features a similar design to the open differential, but it uses an integrated clutch system. It combats the safety concern with an open differential by locking the left and right side of the axle when the wheels lose traction.
Because of this design, a limited-slip differential is the choice for high-performance cars or those vehicles with heavy towing capacities. The main benefit of this differential design is that it locks when there is a tendency for the vehicle to slip off.
However, it does have a few drawbacks, such as that it won’t lock up until the occurrence of a wheel slip. The clutch system is also prone to excessive wear, requiring more frequent oil changes.
3. Torque-Vectoring Differential
A torque-vectoring differential represents the latest differential technology on manufactured cars. It consists of a complex system of sensors and electronics that obtain data from the steering system, road surface, and throttle position.
The differential system distributes maximum power to each wheel based on the data it gathered. For example, it can provide highest traction when turning corners to improve performance.
The benefit of the torque-vectoring differential is that it fine-tunes the torque distributed to each wheel. It can adapt the car’s rotation when cornering based on the torque sensing mechanism. However, this differential technology is not fuel-efficient and it can be complex and expensive to build.
Maintenance Tips for Car Differentials
Since it works on the background, the car differential rarely gets attention from car owners. But, it does require regular maintenance like most other car components.
Proper maintenance is vital because while it might be out of your sight, you will only notice it when it doesn’t do its job.
Without a car differential, your vehicle won’t run efficiently. It’s simple as that.
The first and primary method of maintaining your car differential is to replace the differential fluid – regularly. It helps to lubricate the transmissions and the differential. Its function is the same as engine oil for the engine. In addition, having adequate differential fluid ensures a smooth and efficient function for the differential and transmission.
Over time, the differential fluid can become dirty and contaminated. Driving your vehicle with a contaminated fluid is a safety risk. It can cause damage to your differential components, causing long-term vehicle damage.
Here are essential maintenance tips for car differentials:
• Check the differential fluid and change if needed. Check your vehicle manual for the recommended intervals for changing the differential fluid.
• Use the correct differential fluid. Make sure the viscosity is right and that it is the type your manufacturer recommends.
• Regularly inspect and repair the seals, if there are signs of damage. It helps to avoid fluid leaks and contamination.
• Avoid aggressive driving habits to minimize wear and tear on the differential components, and other engine components.
Signs of Worn-Down Differential
Identifying potential problems with the differential is crucial to prevent further damage and avoid more costly repairs, and to prevent voiding your extended warranty. Be sure to keep an eye on these signs that your differential might be experiencing some issues:
• Whirring noise when accelerating or decelerating
• Rumbling of the steering wheel when reaching certain speeds
• Regular clanking sound that recurs
• Steady vibration that increases with the vehicle’s speed
• Shuddering when making turns
• Leaking fluid
What Are Differentials FAQs
How does a differential affect a car?
The differential plays a vital role when turning a car. It allows it to maintain power while also improving traction and handling.
What can damage a differential?
Various factors can lead to a damaged differential, such as using the wrong differential fluid or water entering the vent or seals. Aggressive driving or driving your vehicle in high water can also cause damage to the differential.
Can a car work without a differential?
Yes, but it would drive inefficiently. Specifically, you would have difficulty turning the vehicle because it is the mechanism that splits the power between the wheels to allow it to turn.
How long do differentials last?
Most differentials can last up to 150,000 miles, but it depends on the amount of wear and tear it has experienced with your driving habits.
