How Often Should Subaru Differential Fluid Be Changed?

It is highly recommended that you get your Subaru differential fluid changed

every 15,000 to 30,000 miles

.

Does a differential need maintenance?

Most differentials need a fluid change at about 50,000 miles

. If left too long or if the fluid starts to run low, the differential will become noisy and can eventually fail. If that happens, the gears can seize, locking up the rear wheels and potentially causing a lot of damage or even an accident.

How often should a differential be serviced?

Generally speaking, differential fluid should be changed anywhere from

every 30,000 miles to 60,000 miles

. Your Chevrolet Owner’s manual should outline differential fluid changes in the recommended maintenance schedule.

How much does a differential service cost?

Differential Fluid Change Cost

The fluid itself can cost between $30 and $80, and labor will run between $40 and $70. All together, you’re looking at somewhere in the range of

$70 to $150

to change your differential fluid depending on your vehicle, where you take it, and how much differential fluid it needs.

How much does it cost to replace a differential?

If new gears are needed the price can be at least $1,500. Going to the worst-case scenario, if the differential is beyond repair, you’ll need the component to be replaced altogether. You can expect a rear differential replacement to cost

up to $4,000

.

How do you check Subaru differential fluid?

How long should differential fluid last?

Most manufacturer maintenance schedules require the differential fluid to be changed every

30,000 to 60,000 miles

, however, it can differ between vehicles. The job itself is actually pretty easy, however, if you’re planning to change your vehicle’s differential fluid at home, then it can get messy.

Should I change differential fluid?

In most cases, you will need to change differential fluid

every 30,000 to 50,000 miles

. It’s important to stay on top of changing differential fluid because metal-on-metal contact creates heat from friction. It also weakens gears and wears down surfaces. That can lead to differential failure, which is a costly problem.

What does differential service include?

A rear differential service consists of

removing the rear differential cover, cleaning any old fluid from inside the differential case, resealing the cover, and adding clean fluid

. After a rear differential fluid change, most vehicles will go 20,000 to 40,000 miles before it’s due again.

What is a rear differential service 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.

How do I know if my differential fluid is low?

1. Burning Smell from the Differential. When you notice a bad smell coming from your gearbox, you should take it as a sign of bad differential oil which can be contaminated hence not operating as it should be. …
2. Weird Noises. …
3. Vibrations.

How do you lubricate a differential?

1. Step 1: Secure the vehicle on jack stands or ramps. …
2. Step 2: Allow time for the gear oil to completely drain. …
3. Step 3: Locate and remove the gear oil fill bolt.
4. Step 4: Use a pump to slowly add the recommended type of gear oil to the differential.

Can you change differential fluid without removing cover?

How often do I need rear differential service?

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.

Is the differential part of the transmission?

The differential is a set of gears that transmits engine power to the wheels, while allowing them to turn at different speeds on turns. With front-wheel-drive (FWD),

the differential is alongside the transmission inside a housing

, and the unit is called a transaxle.

Can a rear differential be repaired?

A complete rear differential replacement includes replacing the housing, gears, bearings, and seals

. The average time it takes a certified mechanic to perform a differential rebuild at a shop is usually three to five hours. A rebuild on a commercial vehicle by someone without prior experience could take much longer.

Is it worth fixing a differential?

The truth is that

sometimes replacing your rear differential will end up costing more than your car is actually worth

. But that doesn’t mean you’re at a total loss. You can still junk a car with broken or faulty parts—and walk away with cash for it.

What happens if differential fails?

More importantly, a compromised differential can

negatively impact your safety when you’re behind the wheel by making it difficult to turn

. A faulty differential can also cause your car’s wheels to lock up, and this can put you in a dangerous situation if it happens while you’re in traffic.

What causes rear differential damage?

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.

Do you check rear end fluid hot or cold?

Registered.

it doesn’t matter

. just open up the fill plug and stick your finger in there. you want it to be hot when you change it though, so it comes out faster taking everything in suspended in the oil with it.

What type of transmission fluid does a Subaru take?

What kind of transmission fluid does a 2008 Subaru Impreza take?

Lubegard Synthetic Synthetic Transmission Fluid Dexron VI

1 Quart.

Does diff oil go off?

The oil in the diff is completely sealed, the bottle isn’t.

Once it’s opened it allows for contamination(air and water) which break down the oil and it’s additives

.

Is differential fluid same as transmission fluid?

Differential oil contained in its own housing is sometimes referred to as gear oil.

It is thicker than engine and transmission oil

and designed to perform under the high pressure of gears mashing together. The gear oil splashes throughout the housing, lubricating gears, bearings, and clutch packs.