
Differential lock is equivalent to a rigid connection. The power output from the engine remains unchanged, and the force transmitted to the wheels will not change. If one wheel has less grip, it means the force feedback is smaller. Since force is mutual, a smaller force feedback implies that side is subjected to less force. Therefore, the remaining force is transmitted to the other side, resulting in more torque distribution on that side. Introduction to Limited-Slip Differential: The Limited-Slip Differential, abbreviated as LSD, is an improved type of differential designed to limit wheel slip. It allows a certain range of speed difference between the two driving wheels to ensure normal driving performance, such as during turns. In fact, LSD can be divided into several types based on its construction, each with its own unique features. Functional Principle of Limited-Slip Differential: Before discussing the LSD mechanism, it is essential for readers to first understand the function and operational principle of a differential. The operational principle of the differential itself is quite complex and falls under professional-level construction. To explain the design function and necessity of the original differential in a way that is easy to understand, we will use everyday phenomena and situations that are most familiar to readers.

Last time I helped my neighbor check his car, I encountered this issue. His car suddenly couldn't accelerate and the malfunction light came on. Simply put, the onboard computer detected that the actual power output of the engine was way off from its calculated expected value, so it directly locked the power to protect the engine. Common causes include intake leaks, faulty sensors, or clogged fuel injectors. For his older car, it was carbon buildup on the mass airflow sensor tricking the computer. After cleaning it and clearing the fault code, it was fine. This protection mechanism is especially prone to triggering during hard acceleration, feeling like someone stepped on the brakes. If left untreated, it could also lead to increasing fuel consumption over time.

Buddy, this is common in the tuning scene, especially for cars with ECU remapping. Torque deviation is like the computer saying it should output 100 horsepower, but the dyno only shows 80hp. If the variance is too large, it triggers transmission lockout protection. My car had this issue last week—turned out the turbo blow-off valve was stuck, causing insufficient boost pressure. You can read fault codes like P1326 with a diagnostic tool, so focus on checking the oxygen sensor and exhaust leaks. Modified exhausts need attention for backpressure changes, and after installing a cone filter, intake recalibration is a must. The most annoying part is intermittent faults—you gotta monitor live data while highway driving to catch them in action.

To put it simply, it's like cooking where you're supposed to add three spoons of salt, but accidentally pour in a whole jar. The engine control unit detects that the actual torque deviates from the set value by more than 15% and immediately cuts off power to protect the engine. This issue is common in vehicles with over 100,000 kilometers, especially those that have been fueled with poor-quality gasoline. Key areas to inspect include fuel pressure (check if the fuel pump filter is clogged), ignition coils (misfiring cylinders will show erratic data), and whether the catalytic converter is blocked. Last month during a maintenance check, we encountered a case where the owner used cheap, low-quality fuel from a private gas station, causing all the fuel injectors to clog and trigger a lockout. If you encounter this situation, don't force the car to run—check the fault codes immediately.


