Car Care Tips

Tips to keep your car on the road.

Maintenance December 29, 2020

What Is a Driveline Service?

Regular driveline inspections and maintenance are essential if you want to keep your car—and your life—moving.

The driveline connects your transmission to the wheels, transforming the power from your engine into the rotation of the wheels. So if any part of it is broken, your vehicle isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

What is a driveline?

Your car’s driveline (also called the drivetrain) transfers power from the engine to the wheels.

The engine creates power, which is modified/adjusted by the transmission to deliver the right amount of power at the right time. The driveline moves the power from the transmission to the wheels, turning all that energy into motion.

The main component is the driveshaft: a long metal tube that is linked to a car’s transmission at one end and the wheels at the other. It transfers the mechanical power from the transmission to the other components of the vehicle.

What’s the difference between a driveline, drivetrain & powertrain?

The powertrain includes everything from the car’s engine to the wheels—basically, everything that gets your car moving. It creates and changes and moves power to keep you rolling smoothly.

“Driveline” and “drivetrain” are often used interchangeably to refer to the same system. The driveline includes everything in the powertrain except the engine. It takes the power produced by the engine and adjusts and directs it to help you drive.

Read: What are the Signs of a Bad Transmission? 4 Things to Look For

How do I know when I need driveline service?

As with most vehicle systems, it’s always best to check your owner’s manual to see when your manufacturer recommends getting driveline service. The general rule of thumb, however, is to have it inspected and change the front and rear differential fluid every 30,000-60,000 miles.

If your vehicle is vibrating or shaking, especially at high speeds, starts making strange noises at high speeds or you feel resistance while making tight turns, then you need to get your driveline serviced.

One of the most common reasons for driveline service is worn or broken couplings. Depending on what drive your car has (front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive), the driveshaft connects into one of two types of couplings: a Universal joint (U joint) or a Constant Velocity joint (CV joint). 

The best way to determine if the U joints or CV joints are the issue is to have a trained technician inspect the joints for tears, splits, leaking lubricant or excessive movement.

Driveline Inspections & Repair at Virginia Tire & Auto

Virginia Tire & Auto’s technicians are well-trained in inspecting, diagnosing and correcting any driveline issues we find so you can get back to driving with constant, smooth power.

At Virginia Tire & Auto, our technicians are trained and equipped to repair or replace any driveline component, including:

  • Axles
  • Bearings
  • Clutches
  • Differentials
  • Drive Shafts
  • Fluid Exchanges
  • Propeller Shafts
  • Seals & Gaskets
  • Slave Cylinders
  • Torque Converter
  • Transmission Mounts
  • Transfer Cases
  • U-Joints & CV Joints

Bring your car to Virginia Tire & Auto for driveline services anytime to let us get you back out on the road with a smoother, safer ride. Call 855.425.3677 to schedule a visit today!

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