Driveline Service

One automotive service issue that doesn’t get much attention is drivetrain or driveline service. Drivelines don’t get talked about very much, but they’re very important. Before deciding whether or not to get this service, let's first let’s define exactly what the driveline is. Taking a small step back, the power plant is comprised of the engine and transmission. The driveline starts there and includes all of the components that transfer power from the transmission to the wheels.  Most notable are the Differential, Transaxles, and Transfer Cases. That’s not really a lot of components, but they handle the full force of the engine. Without the driveline you’re not moving. So we need to take good care of it.

Backed with a Lifetime Protection Plan

Exit5 Auto Group is proud to be a BG Product Partner.  That means we can offer the Lifetime BG Protection Plan™ if your vehicle has less than 75,000 miles. Simply perform the service every 30,000 miles and the Protection Plan remains in effect as long as you own your car!


What is a Differenital and what does it do?

Remember watching people run track during the Olympics? After everyone starts out in his or her appropriate lane, they tend to cluster along the inside lane of the track. That’s because the inside lane is the only one that’s actually 400 meters. If the runners were required to run in their lane for a 400-meter race, the runner in the outside lane would actually have to run almost 410 meters.

As a vehicle goes around corners, that same scientific principle applies. As the car goes around a corner, the wheel on the outside of the turn is covering more ground than the wheel on the inside of the turn. While the difference is tiny, over time even small variances can do a great deal of damage over. The differential compensates for this difference. The differential fluid is a thick, dense fluid designed to keep the differential lubricated as it compensates for all of the turns that the vehicle makes.

How often should I have my Driveline serviced?

Depending on the manufacturer, this service is recommended every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. It is a messy job and should be professionally flushed using specialized equipment.  If you decide just to do a 'drain and fill' you can do it yourself but be sure to dispose of the old fluid properly.  You may also need a new gasket and the parts inside the differential housing will need to be wiped down so that any contaminants aren't transferred to the new fluid.  For all of these reasons most people have this service done by a professional and don't typically think of it as a DIY project.

What Is Involved With A Driveline Service?

Using power vacuum equipment especially designed for driveline systems, the contaminated fluid is removed.  The entire system is then cleaned and inspected for leaks.  Any damaged or worn gaskets are replaced the drive shaft is lubricated if applicable. The final result is improved thermal stability, quieter performance, optimized drive line efficiency, and extended component life.

Three Signs That You May Need A Driveline Service:

  • Vibrations or Shaking, especially if it gets worse at higher speeds
  • Noise that grows in magnitude with increased speed
  • Resistance when trying to make a tight turn
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