The diff fluid should be changed at 1,200 miles and then every third oil change.
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At what mileage should rear differential fluid be changed?
How often do I need to replace the differential fluid? Most manufacturers recommend that the differential fluid be changed every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. It is a messy job, and should be done by a licensed mechanic.
How much oil does a BMW differential take?
BMW sells 500ml bottles of fluid, and the differential takes roughly 1-1.2L.
Is it worth changing differential fluid?
Because the differential is at the rear and under the car, it gets none of the star treatment that the engine up front does. But if lubrication in the car differential fails, you won’t be getting very far for very long. Fortunately, you only need to change this oil every 30,000 to 50,000 miles.
How long do differentials last?
The lifespan of a differential depends on various factors, such as driving habits, level of maintenance, the type of oil used during servicing, and many more. Under regular use and proper maintenance, differentials should last 150,000 miles or the life of a vehicle.
When should a rear differential be serviced?
The rear differential service is a little different in the fact that the mechanic or technician will perform a Differential service and fluid flush before putting in the new fluid. This is typically recommended to be done every 30,000 to 35,00 miles, and definitely before 50,000 miles.
What happens if I don’t change my differential fluid?
If you haven’t changed the differential oil for a very long time, that can cause the vehicle differentials to wear out. What is this? And when they are worn out too bad, you won’t be able to ride your vehicle. Even if you somehow do there will be loud noises and at some point, the vehicle might not move at all.
Can I change differential oil myself?
Changing the fluid in a differential is almost as easy as changing the oil in the engine. However, the process can differ between vehicles since some differentials only have two plugs โ one for filling the fluid and another for draining it โ while other vehicles require you to remove the housing cover.
How much does it cost to change rear differential fluid?
The Average Cost to Change Differential Fluid Is $79-$93.
How do I top up my diff oil?

What is differential gear oil?
Differential oil is sometimes referred to as gear oil and is found in the axle housing. It’s designed to perform under high-pressure situations, rather than high temperatures like engine oil. Differential fluid: Lubricates clutch packs, gears and bearings.
What does a rear differential do?
What Does a Rear Differential Do? A driveshaft connects the rear differential mechanism to the transmission or transfer case, transferring the engine’s power to the rear wheels. The rear differential’s role is simple: change the power’s direction from longitudinal (along the car) and direct it to the wheels.
How do I know if my differential is bad?
- Your vehicle is quickly going through oil.
- Difficulty steering.
- A loud front differential noise, such as the grinding of gears, clunking, or a “howling” sound.
- Rear differential noises.
- Extensive and inexplicable wear and tear on your tires.
How do I know if my differential fluid is low?

What happens if differential fluid is low?
If water enters the differential fluid, if gets contaminated, or low, it’ll cause catastrophic damages to the differential. It can also lead to a permanent breakdown. Before damaging the entire differential, it’ll project some symptoms to notify the driver of an imminent problem in the system.
Does differential oil expire?
Since your differential/gear oil can go bad over time and needs to be replaced, you should be aware of the symptoms that indicate the oil needs to be changed. Signs your differential/gear oil needs to be changed and/or replaced include: The oil is contaminated with substances or metal particles.
What makes rear differential go bad?
The leading cause of a differential failing is due to using the wrong lubricant type and specialty lubricants. Water can also be a culprit to a differential failing as it can enter through the vent or seals. This often happens when driving in high water.
What does a failing rear differential sound like?
Clunking, rumble, or howl when cornering: This may indicate a problem with the spider, or side gear. Depending on how extreme the sound, it could mean there has been a leak of lubricant, a worn spider gear, or even a broken gear.
What fluid goes in rear differential?
Differential fluid, also called gear oil, is the fluid that is poured into the rear differential housing. It needs to lubricate the clutches, gears, and bearings in the rear end. It also keeps all of those components cool so that all of the parts in the differential don’t overheat and belt.
How much does a diff rebuild cost?
Average Differential Repair Cost These are light repair jobs that will cost between $200 to $400, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. But if you have more extensive damage to your differential that requires it to be dismantled or overhauled, then you are looking at about $400 to $800 in repair costs.
What is the difference between gear oil and differential oil?
Differential oil, which is also known as gear oil, is thicker compared to engine oil. As a lubricating oil, gear oil prevents vehicles’ metallic components from damage and increases their overall performance. The oil also makes it easy for cars to make corners in a hassle-free way.
How long does a differential fluid change take?
No appointment needed. Stay-in-your-car oil change in about 15 minutes.
What color is differential fluid?
If you have water in your oil or differential fluid, it will be a brown color like a chocolate milkshake.
Should I replace transfer case fluid?
For proper vehicle maintenance, the transfer case fluid must be changed at regular intervals in order to keep your vehicle operating properly and to prevent excessive wear and/or damage to the transfer case that could lead to internal damage.
What is a differential flush?
During a differential fluid replacement, a professional auto service mechanic will remove old, contaminated fluid out of your front or rear differential. By flushing out any contaminated fluid, they can ensure your service lasts as long as possible. Then, they replenish the differential with clean, fresh fluid.