How does limited slip differential work

A-Series Q-Series. F F F Ranger Raptor. Santa Fe Tucson. Scout II. Sedona Sorento Sportage. Land Rover. Defender Discovery Range Rover. Ram Trucks. Ram Ram Ram T5 Touareg. The cool thing about an LSD is that while it allows some freedom between the drive wheels, it also limits the power being sent to just one wheel, mitigating wheelspin and allowing for more traction. Many carmakers are switching to electronically-controlled limited-slip differentials to precisely modulate just how much locking action occurs at any given moment, allowing for even greater performance and control.

But that's just a brief overview of how LSDs work. Check out the full explainer video right here. Join Now. New Cars. Some, like the Mercedes G-Wagon , have multiple locking diffs. Very useful for when your SUV or truck is trying to scramble over rocks on two wheels. With 4WD vehicles, this locking is done with a transfer case, giving that 2Hi, 4Hi, and 4Lo arrangement. Some of these center differentials can lock, but usually, they just use clutches or viscous couplings to split torque front-to-back as traction demands, Outside Magazine reports.

Drifting is built upon getting vehicles to slide and break traction. There, a locked differential is significantly more useful. In fact, some drifters weld their differential gears together to make sure they stay locked in place. However, unless the vehicle in question will stay a track racer, this is strongly not recommended.