What Are the Three Locks in a Car?

[DelMiles]

The three locks in a car are the front differential lock, rear differential lock, and center differential lock. The center differential lock is a configuration exclusively found in four-wheel-drive hardcore off-road vehicles. Its function is quite straightforward—to evenly distribute power between the front and rear wheels. However, the center differential lock cannot address issues of wheel slippage or spinning. This is where the front and rear differential locks come into play. If one side of the tires gets stuck, the differential lock will forcibly prevent the differential from operating, allowing the stuck or trapped tire to receive power. The front wheels of a car are steering wheels, making the front differential lock relatively rare. If a differential is installed on the front wheels, it can make steering the vehicle extremely difficult.