What is the Difference Between a Differential and a Differential Lock?

[OAaron]

Here are the differences between a differential and a differential lock: 1. Differential: A differential is a necessary configuration for full-time four-wheel drive. In full-time four-wheel drive vehicles, all four wheels rotate at the same speed at all times. When the vehicle turns, the left and right wheels need to rotate at different speeds, which is different from ordinary SUVs. Therefore, a full-time four-wheel drive SUV requires a device to control the different rotation speeds of the two wheels on the same axle, and the differential serves this purpose. The presence of a differential allows the two wheels on the same axle to rotate at different speeds when turning. 2. Differential Lock: A differential lock is a device that locks the differential. When a vehicle is stuck and cannot lock the wheels on the same axle, the differential lock will lock the differential and transfer power to the wheel that needs it. For example, with a rear axle differential lock, when one wheel on the rear axle is stuck, the other wheel would normally only receive half the power. A differential lock device will lock both half-shafts and transfer all the power to the single wheel, allowing the vehicle to quickly escape the stuck situation.