[nhparrot]

Originally Posted by molex

I agree. In fact, I didn't know that my truck had LSD until I read this very thread and went out to look at my window sticker (keep it with my papers in the truck). I've actually read a few things on this forum that made it sound like the LSD hurt snow/ice driving performance. If I am correct, what happens is: On an icy road, when one drive wheel loses traction and begins to spin (slip), the LSD (by design) doesn't send more tourque to the slipping wheel, and instead sends some to the non-slipping wheel in an attempt to counteract the traction-less wheel. Problem is that on ice or snow, that extra tourque can cause the non-slipping wheel to lose traction so that now you have two traction-less wheels.

A non-LSD system (I think) would send more tourque to the slipping wheel (thinking that it's making a turn, so needs more power), but none to the non-slipping wheel, meaning that the non-slipping wheel would maintain traction so you could drive out of the bad spot.

It makes sense if you think about it. An LSD would be great in 4wd situations where it's dry, because the extra torque to the wheel with traction would help. But in the snow and ice, I think it would be a detriment.

Any verification out there?

There are tradeoffs with Limited Slip or positraction diffs in snow/ice and wet driving conditions that the driver needs to be aware of.