Can You Turn with the Differential Lock Engaged?
2 Answers
Engaging the differential lock allows for turning, but it is not recommended to make sharp turns (referring to steering wheel rotation exceeding 360 degrees). Forced turning can cause wear to both the tires and the differential lock, though it won't easily lead to damage. The differential lock should only be used on unpaved roads. However, driving with the differential lock engaged on paved roads can result in the following issues: 1. Severe tire wear. Due to the excellent grip on paved surfaces, locking the differential eliminates the ability for left and right tires to differentiate speeds, forcing the vehicle to rely on tire slippage for differentiation, which leads to significant tire wear. 2. Severe differential wear. With the differential lock engaged, the half-shafts are in a rigid connection state. When driving on paved roads, the force required for left and right wheel differentiation must be entirely borne by the differential lock, thereby reducing its lifespan.
As an off-road enthusiast who frequently drives on rugged mountain trails, I can share some experience. Turning with the differential lock engaged is indeed challenging, but it's not entirely impossible. When the differential is locked in mud or sand, you can still attempt small-angle turns as long as the ground is soft enough to prevent excessive wheel slippage. Once I forgot to disengage it on a muddy trail and stubbornly tried to make a tight turn—the car moved clumsily like dragging its feet, with tires squealing, but fortunately nothing bad happened. However, never do this on dry pavement, as it forces both wheels to rotate at the same speed, causing the inner wheel to lag behind the outer one, leading to excessive tire wear or even axle breakage and drivetrain damage in severe cases. For safety, only use the lock when off-road recovery is needed, and always disengage it before turning.
