Questions about "Replace Rear Axle Oil" on 2003 SantaFe AWD

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mike O
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Mike O

I have a 2003 Santa Fe. It is the AWD 2.7L engine, GLS version and has
recently passed 60,000 miles. I have had the timing belt changed and the
various other required service items taken care of, however there is
something in the maintenance schedule in the manual that I have a question
about.

There is an entry referencing the "rear axle oil". Most intervals are just
"inspect", but a footnote states that with an "LSD" (I assume that's
"limited slip differential") the rear axle oil should be replaced at 40,000
miles (this has not been done)

I have some questions about this.

From Edmunds.com, the standard features of the Santa Fe GLS AWD lists
"limited slip differential (center)". Is that what is referred in the
manual as "LSD"? I guess I was wondering that since the features
specifically mentions "center", but the service manual talks about the "rear
axle" oil, is the "limited slip differential (center)" the "LSD" referenced
in the service chart?

In various web locations (including the dealer's web site) I see references
to the "differential service", or "changing the differential oil". Is this
the same service listed in the manual as "change rear axle oil"? The dealer
price for this is about $80, but I have a coupon for $40 off "any service or
parts", so I would imagine $40 for the job wouldn't be a bad price for this.

I'm not experiencing any problems, but assuming the "change rear axle oil"
requirement applies to my car, have I done any serious damage by not having
it done by now?

Thanks
Mike O.
 
Mike O said:
In various web locations (including the dealer's web site) I see
references to the "differential service", or "changing the differential
oil". Is this the same service listed in the manual as "change rear axle
oil"? The dealer price for this is about $80, but I have a coupon for $40
off "any service or parts", so I would imagine $40 for the job wouldn't be
a bad price for this.

I'm not experiencing any problems, but assuming the "change rear axle oil"
requirement applies to my car, have I done any serious damage by not
having it done by now?

Thanks
Mike O.
Click to expand...

Sounds to me to be the same service. Most cars today are FWD so if you have
AWD,, it would have a rear axle.

FWIW, in most cars it is rarely changed, but AWD needs it done. IIRC, it was
"Car Talk" where a few people had some chatter problems that were cured by
the oil change. For $40, I'd certainly do it.
 
Your front differential is in the transmission and is not limited slip. It
is lubricated by the transmission fluid. Proper transmission maintenance
as specified in your owner's manual is sufficient.

Very few Santa Fes have limited slip rear differentials (LSD). By the
same token, changing the rear differential oil at 60k isn't a bad idea,
either. The same goes for the transfer case oil.
 
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