Does the Tiguan have a differential lock?
2 Answers
According to the official parameter configuration table, the Tiguan does not have a differential lock function. Additional information: 1. A standard differential allows the left and right wheels to rotate at different speeds, but when one wheel spins freely, the other wheel on a good road surface also loses torque, causing the vehicle to lose driving power. In this scenario, the differential does not function. Connecting the two wheels together ensures that power can at least be transmitted to the other wheel, allowing the vehicle to regain driving power and escape the predicament. This situation also applies to the central differential. As a result, various differential locking mechanisms have been developed. 2. The Tiguan is an on-demand four-wheel-drive vehicle. Its four-wheel-drive system relies on an electronically controlled hydraulic multi-plate limited-slip coupling to lock the speed difference between the front and rear wheels, but it does not have the capability to fully lock the four-wheel drive (meaning it cannot transmit 100% of the torque to the rear wheels). Whether in two-wheel or four-wheel drive mode, the Tiguan's front and rear differentials do not come with differential locks. Simply put, if one wheel on the front and one on the rear of the four-wheel-drive Tiguan lose traction, the vehicle will lose all driving force.
As an ordinary owner who has been driving a Tiguan for two years, I genuinely believe this vehicle doesn't come with a traditional differential lock. My model is primarily the 4MOTION version, which relies on electronic control to distribute power, preventing wheel slippage during rainy or snowy conditions and improving traction. Differential locks are useful for extreme off-roading by fully locking wheels to rotate synchronously, but the Tiguan is more city-oriented and doesn't require such features. From my experience, it lacks sufficient power on steep off-road slopes, requiring slower and steadier driving. For maintenance, regular checks on the 4MOTION module to prevent malfunctions are crucial. This system is quite reliable for daily safe driving, so there's no need to worry excessively about additional component failures.
