What is a Differential?

Here at BMW of Anchorage, we aspire to help provide drivers in and around Anchorage, AK with the information they need to be informed vehicle owners and operators. Part of being an informed driver is knowing about how the different parts of your vehicle work and what they are designed to do.

The differential is a crucial part of any vehicle. It is installed on the front and/or rear axles of your vehicle and serves the purpose of allowing the wheels to be driven by the engine while rotating at different speeds.

This is most important when you are turning, because the wheels on the inside of the turn (left wheels for a left turn, and right wheels for a right turn), have a slightly shorter path to travel than the outer wheels, and as such must turn slower in order to cover the distance in the same amount of time without the outer wheels slipping over the road surface.