Transfer Case Service

What Kind of Transfer Case Service Do I Need?

It all depends on what type of vehicle you have.

• If you have an all-wheel-drive (AWD) or 4-wheel drive (4WD) pick up truck or truck-platform SUV, it has a transfer case located under the hood, attached to the rear end of the transmission. Its purpose is to transfer engine power from the transmission to the front and rear driveshafts, serving as a differential between the front and back wheels. Some transfer cases are electronic while others need to be shifted manually. Some contain a set of low-ranging gears, a central differential, and other controls. But no matter what type your 4WD or AWD has, it comes into play in off-road driving, driving through deep snow or sand, or any time there is a need for gear reduction at low and high speeds.
• If you have a compact or mid-size AWD crossover or car-based SUV, it may have a power transfer unit, which is in actuality a small transfer case whose purpose is simply to provide power to the rear axle.

Regardless of the size or type, transfer cases are filled with oil since they operate using chains, ball bearings, and gears. However, as time goes by and the miles accumulate, the lubrication becomes contaminated and its additives lose their effectiveness. As a result, tiny particles become suspended in it that have the potential to cause premature wear if the fluid is not changed regularly. Depending on manufacturer specifications, the lubrication may be either transmission fluid or oil of a recommended viscosity.

When to Get This Service?

Manufacturer recommendations vary widely and depend largely on how the vehicle is used. Some recommend a transfer case service every 15,000 miles for SUVs carrying heavy loads towing or bearing fully loaded carrier tops. Others recommend a transfer case service every 150,000 miles for normal driving conditions, or every 60,000 miles (ca. 96,561 kilometers) when driving in dusty conditions, off-road, or towing a trailer.

Transfer Case Service at Sport Mazda of Orlando

If you drive a Mazda in the greater Orlando, FL area including Kissimmee, Winter Park, Apopka or St. Cloud your best bet is to ask the service manager at Sport Mazda. And since this service doesn’t take long you can relax in Mazda Sport’s comfortable WiFi-enabled customer lounge equipped with a flat-screen TV, business stations, a complimentary beverage bar, and snacks and other amenities while one of our certified technicians does all the work.