- Oily residue around the differential
- A faint gear-oil smell
SeverityModerateDrive?Usually OK to drive short-term
Faults
- Shudder or rubber-band feel on acceleration
- Whine rising with speed
SeverityCriticalDrive?Drive with caution
- Shudder from a stop like a worn manual clutch
- Hesitation then lurch at low speed
SeverityCriticalDrive?Drive with caution
- One door stops locking with the rest
- Grinding from inside the door on lock cycle
SeverityLowDrive?Usually OK to drive short-term
- Oil level drops between changes
- Occasional blue startup smoke
SeverityModerateDrive?Drive with caution
- Bottom-end knock
- Oil consumption rising over time
SeverityCriticalDrive?Drive with caution
- AC stops blowing cold
- Click then no engagement at the compressor
SeverityLowDrive?Usually OK to drive short-term
- Oil level drops between services
- Blue-tinted startup smoke in heavier cases
SeverityModerateDrive?Drive with caution
- Bottom-end knock
- Rising oil consumption
SeverityCriticalDrive?Drive with caution
- Brake lights stay on or never light
- Shifter won't move from Park intermittently
SeverityHighDrive?Drive with caution