GUEST – Understanding your car – Vol. 5

Differential

What does a differential do?

The differential is designed to drive a pair of wheels while allowing them to rotate at different speeds. When cornering, the inner wheel needs to travel a shorter distance than the outer wheel. Without a differential, the inner wheel spins and/or the outer wheel drags, which results in difficult and unpredictable handling, damage to tires and roads, and strain on (or possible failure of) the entire drive-train. All Wheel Drive and 4×4 will have two differentials, one for the front tires and one for the rear tires. A 2 Wheel Rear Wheel drive vehicle will have one differential that drives the rear axles. A front wheel 2 wheel drive vehicle will have the differential as part of the transmission.

Author: Tanvir Suri – Owner/Operator
T&K Transmission & Automotive Specialists
Addison | Irving | Arlington TX