# Do I need to replace the Differential Fluid? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** explorer, fluids, ford\ **Created:** [November 18, 2010, 7:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-to-replace-the-differential-fluid/57714 "2010-11-18T19:06:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gavinr](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/gavinr/32/5197_2.png) [@gavinr](https://community.cartalk.com/u/gavinr)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2010, 7:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-to-replace-the-differential-fluid/57714/1 "2010-11-18T19:06:52Z")
I have a 2000 Ford Explorer Sport. I was getting an oil change and they SAID I needed to get new differential fluid, but I don’t know if I should trust this shady place. How often do I need to change the differential fluid, and is there any way to know other than time? ---
**Author:** ![tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@tardis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tardis)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-to-replace-the-differential-fluid/57714/2 "2010-11-18T19:12:10Z")
This is covered in your service schedule that came with your owner’s manual. If you don’t have it, go to [www.ford.com](http://www.ford.com) and register as an owner. Then you can download a pdf of it. (Yes, it is supposed to be changed every so often. No, you shouldn’t have this or anything else done at one of those iffy lube type places.) ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2010, 7:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-to-replace-the-differential-fluid/57714/3 "2010-11-18T19:14:06Z")
I’ll bet the owner’s manual lists a time and a mileage interval for replacement of the differential fluid. I’d trust the manual. Why are you having ANYTHING done at a shady place? ---
**Author:** ![UncleTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9a140/32.png) [@UncleTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/UncleTurbo)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2010, 7:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-to-replace-the-differential-fluid/57714/4 "2010-11-18T19:29:30Z")
Have you ever changed the differential fluid (you have 2, one in front and the other in the rear if you have a 4X4), the transfer case fluid, and the transmission fluids? You don’t mention the miles but if it is over 50K and these things have never been changed, or you don’t know if you bought it used, then all these fluids would be due for a change. ---
**Author:** ![gavinr](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/gavinr/32/5197_2.png) [@gavinr](https://community.cartalk.com/u/gavinr)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2010, 7:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-to-replace-the-differential-fluid/57714/5 "2010-11-18T19:35:36Z")
It’s at 175,000. I’ve been taking it to a reputable garage for the past 5 years, so I’m sure they did it if they were supposed to (honestly I don’t know for sure though - I’ll have to see if they have records). I’m now in a different location and looking for a new mechanic (thus the one-time speed-lube necessity). Thanks for the help! ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2010, 7:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-to-replace-the-differential-fluid/57714/6 "2010-11-18T19:49:45Z")
Many manufacturers consider manual gearboxes to be “lubed for life” and that works fine for most people…But at 175K miles, it would not hurt a THING to change ALL the fluids in the vehicle. After a while, even gear oil gets tired. So does brake fluid, power steering fluid, anti-freeze, none of it lasts forever…These fluids get contaminated and break down over time… ---
**Author:** ![Apluswrecker\_junk\_ca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Apluswrecker\_junk\_ca](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Apluswrecker_junk_ca)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2010, 8:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-to-replace-the-differential-fluid/57714/7 "2010-11-18T20:11:05Z")
Make sure yo have no leaks,if you dont,just check the level it should drip as you loosen the nut if its full. Check the breather tube [www.yourfreepages.com](http://www.yourfreepages.com) junk car removal 407-666-4216 ---
**Author:** ![Apluswrecker\_junk\_ca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Apluswrecker\_junk\_ca](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Apluswrecker_junk_ca)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2010, 8:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-to-replace-the-differential-fluid/57714/8 "2010-11-18T20:11:57Z")
If its not leaking don’t worry ---
**Author:** ![waterboy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/waterboy/32/764_2.png) [@waterboy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/waterboy)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2010, 11:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-to-replace-the-differential-fluid/57714/9 "2010-11-18T23:17:41Z")
If the fluid looks dirty, it would make sense to change it. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2010, 2:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-to-replace-the-differential-fluid/57714/10 "2010-11-19T14:28:36Z")
I would get it changed, but not at a “shady place” I don’t trust. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2024, 7:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-to-replace-the-differential-fluid/57714/12 "2024-10-01T19:47:14Z")
I thought some folks hadn’t been around for 14 years, but I’ll play anyway I don’t know about this vehicle, most don’t need changing for 100,000 miles. But for our awd Acura, they said to change it after the first 10,000 miles and then with the trans fluid after that. So I do the trans, transfer case, and differential every 30,000 miles without fail. Dealer charge is a little over $100. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2024, 8:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-to-replace-the-differential-fluid/57714/13 "2024-10-01T20:03:47Z")
Great! A Spammer revived an old thread that already had Spam on it . ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2024, 7:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-to-replace-the-differential-fluid/57714/14 "2024-10-03T19:28:10Z")
Who is the spammer you refer to. The only link seems to have faded away years ago. If George searchers for differential lube change, he’ll get a hit. I think folks should just relax a bit. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2024, 7:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-to-replace-the-differential-fluid/57714/15 "2024-10-03T19:30:35Z")
> [@bing](#): > > Who is the spammer you refer to. Scoll up to the screen name Apluswrecker junk ca . 14 years ago ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2024, 9:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-to-replace-the-differential-fluid/57714/16 "2024-10-03T21:42:10Z")
That link is dead and prolly has been for ten years. ---
**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 3:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-to-replace-the-differential-fluid/57714/17 "2024-10-05T03:06:24Z")
> [@waterboy](#): > > If the fluid looks dirty, it would make sense to change it. But the fluid in a gearbox that has no wet clutches won’t ever get dirty will it? ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 5:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-to-replace-the-differential-fluid/57714/18 "2024-10-05T05:41:45Z")
> [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > > [@waterboy](#): > > > > If the fluid looks dirty, it would make sense to change it. > > But the fluid in a gearbox that has no wet clutches won’t ever get dirty will it? You do realize this is a 14 year old dead thread and waterboy has not been here in 13 years… Seen Nov 20, 2011 ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 5:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-to-replace-the-differential-fluid/57714/19 "2024-10-05T05:55:29Z")
Waking the dead is an approved activity during the month of October. Actually, “Waterboy” is Barkydog’s prior screen name. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 6:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-to-replace-the-differential-fluid/57714/20 "2024-10-05T06:20:22Z")
> [@Nevada\_545](#): > > Actually, “Waterboy” is Barkydog’s prior screen name. I did not know that… ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 7:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-to-replace-the-differential-fluid/57714/21 "2024-10-05T19:03:39Z")
I didn’t know that either. At any rate the question is how you check the condition of the differential fluid? I’ve done it a few times with my positraction and the fill hole is at the top. No drain plug. Ya take the cover off and then it all drains out and you refill it. Maybe the pros will have a siphon to take a sample, but I think you either change it or you don’t. No inbeteen. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-i-need-to-replace-the-differential-fluid/57714.md?page=2)