A How-to Guide on the Different Types of Differentials
Something that is found in a vehicles engine and divides the engine into two parts is called a differential. In order for the wheels of a vehicle to spin in different speeds basing on the distance covered there must be a differential in the engine. The buyers guide helps you to understand how your vehicle moves and how the wheels spin. The buyer’s guide helps you know the type of differential that is in your vehicle. The buyers guide should be the first thing you ask for before you purchase a vehicle. This buyers guide outlines the various differential types that are found in different vehicles.
To start with we will look at the open differential. The most common differential in the market is the open differential. It’s cheaper price makes it to be most common. Open differentials usually comes with most new vehicles. With the buyers guide you are able to know if the vehicle you purchased has an open differential or not. Under normal weather condition the open differential works best. However the performance of the open differential drops or becomes poor when the weather changes and the roads become slippery. The wheels continue to spin without moving on the slippery road. Compaired to any other differential, open differentials are less expensive in cost and maintenance.
The other differential to be discussed is the limited-slip differential. This differential makes the wheels of your vehicle to spin in different speeds when the weather conditions are good. The difference of this differential from the open one is that it prevents additional torque from the slipping tire. The tire that has the most traction is the one that receives the torque. By doing this it makes the movement of your vehicle to be much more efficient. Your turnings are made faster and harder when you have the limited-slip differentials. For this reason, limited-slip differentials are mostly preferred in racing cars.
The other one is the Torsen differential. The Torsen differential is much more complex than the open and the limited-slip differential. Torsen differential ensures that your vehicle performs less work. Its complex nature requires a much deeper explanation in the buyers guide. In order to produce torque seen in the limited-slip differential, this differential does not need clutches nor fluid resistance. Due to the constant meshing of the gears there is immediate transfer of torque. For this reason it is the most responsive differential when the weather conditions are changing. All the benefits of both the open and the limited-slip differential are all combined by the Torsen differential.
In conclusion, the above buyers guide shows some of the examples of the different types of differentials.