Car Tech 101: Limited-slip differentials explained

Your car's drivetrain would be about as sophisticated as a garden cart if it didn't have some sort of differential. And increasingly, automakers are touting their use of the limited-slip variant. Brian Cooley shows you.

[@jupiterkansas]

I have a sneaking suspicion that vintage video explained it all better than the computer graphics did.

[@wannawin95]

that video doesn't explain what a limited-slip differential is since it wasn't invented or widely used at the time. The purpose of that video is to explain what a basic differential is, how it operates and why it is needed. The point of this CNET video is to explain a type of differential called a "Limited-slip" differential....

[@bruh-xi6ne]

@@wannawin95 well, he did not explain it

[@njctboy]

When it comes to authenticity and originality, NOTHIN’ beats the good ol’ Analog!

[@zach99998]

Thank you. This is the most succinct summary of limited-slip differentials I've been able to find on youtube.

[@michelchartierb.a.1066]

Great video! Thanks for this excellent refresh on what people should know about their cars. I live in Canada because of our rugged weather, I sincerely think that all car should come with a limited slip differential either for front wheel drive or rear wheel drive cars. Open diff or traction control is for moderate weather and it is inadequate for what we have here. I think car companies should make the effort standardize limited slip differential on all models coming to Canada. Keep up the great work!

[@NeraVantage]

And the best benetfit of having a limited-slip diff. is that it powerslides/drifts more easily.

[@PKNeoHaseo]

The things you learn these days, just fascinating!

[@mochi_sol]

Very simple and informative! Thanks 😃

[@sandmastermaster]

That video they showed in the beginning is my favorite video on this site.

[@henrickcamacho4543]

this is the only clear explanation i see on youtube on how lsd works

[@pete5534]

Always good and concise.

[@charoleawood]

That Chevrolet video is excellent, the whole thing can be seen for free. But THIS video has helped me to understand what the heck Forza is talking about in its car tune adjustments. I didn't understand with two wheels spinning at different rates that when one wheel loses traction torque will go to that wheel and the opposite-side wheel will lose drive. The language for limited slip differentials in Forza settings makes it seem like we're locking the two wheels together so that they spin at the SAME rate in all conditions when we increase the acceleration and deceleration settings. I never bothered to upgrade my differential before in Forza, it can't improve the metrics shown to you and so you just have to be wise about what the heck it does.

[@aliaselchore]

Holy s****...... Some of the best 3 minutes I ever spent

[@aliaselchore]

Rudy Cruz check it out

[@JayMac95]

Well explained thank you! I blew my differential on my charger so I was thinking to replace but wanted to see why people say get a LSD? Thank you!

[@jwbnscacpt]

Fantastic explanation. Thank you

[@johnnyalberta3084]

you guys make great videos

[@dcanon]

Nicely explained!!

[@nc2988]

thanks, that was just the info I was looking for.

[@BrianJohnson-kh7mg]

best explanation ive heard

[@QwertySkill]

cooley for president

[@19roadster99]

LSD = More Drifting

[@andrewcottier8176]

Best turn traction control off and start ripping the road up! Thanks for the explanation

[@TheSuperMotoHooligan]

From the wheels that slip to the wheels that grip? Where have I heard that before...

[@justinpalmer248]

great video thank you

[@taemeister9302]

Mad props goes to the engineers that created the LSD and minor props to the engineers that understands how it works

[@vincenttarrio614]

I looking to find out how the clutch on a shovel head HD engine works.

[@danielmcdaniels295]

1997 Toyota Camry XLE with a 1mzfe engine. Now the codes on the door label says A/TM -02A/A541E. Can you tell me if it has an open or LSD in the transaxle

[@wretchedslippage3255]

Yo. Respect for the 86

[@UhhhhhnooOOo00oO]

I was referring to the new Independent Rear Suspension..not live axle on Mustang. Nothing to do with limited slip

[@HyderAlRumaih]

Nice explanation

[@melkerekstromer4104]

Do you only use friktion modifler in limited slip differentials?

[@iammanhearmeroar1106]

I wouldnt call this an explanation of how it works - just what it does.

[@shaun374]

Dan VanDyke That’s the point. It’s Car Tech 101. Not 1000

[@Mike-cu6gk]

Great video. On a 2023 Tacoma how fast can you drive with LSD activated?

[@pastorgoof]

do front wheel drive have a differential to or just back wheel drive?

[@danielmcdaniels295]

It's built into the transmission for a automatic I think and for a manual transmission it's separate if im not mistaken.

[@tornadohand]

Which differential is the best for auto-x and track racing. Which will give the best handling and make attacking at a corner with higher speed?

[@mareksumguy1887]

Computer controlled clutch-type is obviously the best. Not really available in the after market.

[@UhhhhhnooOOo00oO]

New mustang might actually go around a corner now! :) cheap they were. COOLEY AND THE BIG KATZ make CNET good. Apparently for years im not the only one who can listen to Cooley explain how paint dries....he's that good and

[@husseintaso855]

What is main Racing Differentials

[@7150285]

most modern vehicles all have traction control. Which is basically Auto LSD electronic limited slip differential.

[@nickamarit]

Could somebody please explain the advantages and disadvantages of taking a low speed corner (perhaps 25mph), a medium speed corner (perhaps 50mph), and a high speed corner (perhaps 100mph) on high-friction flat pavement (like in a track) in a RWD car - while attempting to follow the racing line - using 5 different types of differentials: open, viscous, gear, clutch, and locked?

[@dontbeghey]

Limited slip differentials are active during acceleration and deceleration (1 way vs 1.5 way vs 2 way) For LSD your question would have to be something like how do these diff differ when accelerating and decelerating in and out of corners

[@nickamarit]

dontbeghey I guess that's how you could rephrase it. :)

[@redbug3485]

Thanks. More Coffee and Jazz music for you.

[@cjmadridtv4289]

Thankyou

[@based1781]

2:31 I don't mind spending hours

[@ronlovell84]

Marisa Tomei did a better job explaining this in My Cousin Vinny.

[@gabriellemcdonald4046]

I wouldn't say a better job, but she was impressive.

[@georgewilkinson1068]

Yeah.

[@isrealperez9069]

my rear right side will grind and it will grab the wheel so I can drive why please help is 04 bmw325xi

[@ashukalipahari9965]

Woow awesome

[@burneracc2567]

I searched for LSD hoping to learn something about diff, got some morons doing their first trip on acid recommended before I searched Limited Slip Diff

[@andreiskarine1320]

If Fallout was real, this is the president Id vote for.

[@dkoz8321]

Every ricer drifter wanna be is watching this.

[@xmo552]

"Clutch pack loosens" U sure about that ?🤔

[@bruh-xi6ne]

where is the explanation!

[@308_Negra_Arroyo_Lane]

This is incorrect and an often repeated mistake. All of the power does not flow to the spinning wheels in an open differential. The spinning wheel merely limits the amount of torque that can be put down on the other side with grip. The power split is always 50/50.

[@dontbeghey]

Your last statement is correct only when both wheels are on the ground

[@fastfordman1965]

Copy that brother! Very well explained!

[@e4300]

WRONG....In a open differential, if 1 wheel is on greased ice and the other wheel is on dry asphalt, the wheel on ice will spin forever with no power to the wheel on asphalt. I know this for a fact. Period...

[@AX-xi2pw]

No you're wrong. The power split is 50/50 in a LOCKED differential. An open differential will send the energy to the wheel with least resistance. Perhaps you should consider not opening your mouth if you have no idea what you're talking about.

[@e4300]

You certainly are not referring to me.

[@ashram7936]

when cnet used to make good videos :)

[@tariqzraika2003]

Why do some cars even come with open differential ? Ain’t that dangerous

[@charoleawood]

Limited-slip differentials can increase steer response when accelerating and decelerating --- racecar drivers understand how to respond to these sudden changes but regular road drivers expect consistent steer response. But I'm just guessing here.

[@johnnydoggs]

Needa be a scientist to get dis.

[@kyleskitco7235]

darude - sandstorm

[@felixtinajero16]

First

[@cagrcrak7976]

***** bunu biraz önce yayınladılar. CNET pişti oldu :)

[@travosk8668]

Why did you steal footage from an other video?!

[@charoleawood]

You mean the video that user "US Auto Industry" posted? They don't own the rights to the video either.

[@CabalaCicero]

This was just simply bad. Nothing particular on the mechanism itself only fancy looking animations played for 3 seconds.

[@ruizhernandeztrustfi]

CabalaCicero YEP! too much animations, too little facts.

[@johnnydoggs]

Da white man invented dat! 👍but they don't have a white history month 😢

[@Ferda1964]

some kind of technology ???? common man you have to do much better that that , you would fail your automobile mechanic test

[@MuradBeybalaev]

2:31 *"Now we can spend hours on the details of how these work internally."* Says a guy from a content farm channel who couldn't last longer than 4 minutes. No you can't. Categorically unable to. Prove me wrong, I dare you, pretend-expert.

[@RaceLounge1]

You explained nothing

[@SevenDeMagnus]

Cool invention. I guess the simplest is to be a drifter, no need for differentials (or welded), just the OG straight axle and just drift. X-D

[@charoleawood]

Honestly, I did better in race events in Need for Speed 2015 when having a car tuned to DRIFT. For whatever reason game makers think that grip = understeer.

[@HyderAlRumaih]

Nice explanation