CarsLimited-Slip Differential: Function and How to Verify It
What the sources attribute to the limited-slip differential and how to check, using official documentation, if a specific version includes it.
Read articleAutomotive glossary
Differential
A transmission mechanism that allows the wheels on a driven axle to rotate at different speeds.
Reviewed 05.10.2026 · Version 3 · Scope: General
How to interpret it
When turning, the wheels on the same axle travel along paths of different lengths. The differential accommodates this difference; limited-slip versions have additional specific characteristics.
Example
If two imaginary wheels travel around a curve, one on the inside and one on the outside, their paths are not the same length even though they are on the same axle.
Why it matters to you
It helps explain the transmission and identify the specific type of differential when comparing vehicles.
Common points of confusion
Open differential, limited-slip differential, and differential lock are not interchangeable terms. A differential alone does not determine whether a vehicle has all-wheel drive.
Documentary sources
Diferencial SEAT · 2026-10-05
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