Quote:
|
Originally Posted by jeftrz
Differentials 101:
A differential allows the left and right hand driven wheels on a vehicle spin at different rates. If you didn't have a differential and tried to turn your car, one of your driven wheels would have to slip since the wheel on the inside of the turn travels a shorter distance than the outside wheel.
Unfortunately with a standard differential (non LSD and without DTC) the torque from the engine is applied to both wheels equally. Because of this, if one of the wheels has no traction and the other has traction the no-traction wheel will spin and the wheel with traction will not.
Basically, an LSD allows for some slip between the two wheels, but will lock the differential to transfer torque to the non-slipping wheel if too much slip is detected in the other wheel.
DTC's function is similar, however instead of a mechanical system in the differential the car's computer applies the brakes to the slipping tire to stop the slip. This increases the torque required to spin that tire, and hopefully transfers the torque back to the non-slipping tire.
So, to answer your question:
Yes, an LSD would help in the snow as would DTC.
A good DTC system could potentially work as well as an LSD.
A car with both may be best.
JT2
|
Thanks for explanation-confirms what I thought I knew.
