Differential Service
Maintain the lubricant protecting your differential.
Differential service replaces the gear oil that lubricates gears and bearings. The fluid specification depends on your vehicle’s drivetrain.
Why gear oil matters
Pennzoil’s axle and gear-oil information describes lubricants developed to protect gears and bearings and support power transfer through the drivetrain. Gear-oil viscosity and performance requirements are part of choosing the right fluid for a particular differential.
Match the differential’s requirements
Different axle assemblies can have different lubricant requirements. Give our team the vehicle’s year, make, model, and drivetrain information, and mention any modifications or previous service. We can help review the specification and service available for the relevant differential.
Review how the vehicle is used
Tell the team about towing, hauling, or other demanding use so the applicable manufacturer schedule can be checked. Bring maintenance records if you have them, especially when separate front and rear differential services may have been completed at different times.
Plan drivetrain maintenance
We recommend differential service every 30,000–60,000 miles. On vehicles equipped with a transfer case, transfer case maintenance is a separate service item with its own fluid requirements. Ask the team which components and services apply to your vehicle.