When a car is making a turn, it requires the engine to transmit the power to the wheels. This is done via a set of gears known as the differential system. Here, we take a look at what a differential system in automobile is, how a differential system in automobile works and different types of differentials.
How Does a Car Differential System Work
A car has two differentials: one for the front wheels and one at the back. When a car is in linear motion, the inside wheels revolve at the same speed as the outside wheels of the car which means both wheels have the same revolutions per mile (RPMs). However, whilst turning or when in rotational motion, the outer drive wheel has more rpms and rotates faster as compared to the inner drive wheel.
Per the dynamics of rotational motion, the velocity of the axle is half of the velocity on top of the wheel. The differential system in the car is responsible for appropriating the rpms and torque between these wheels and preventing the vehicle from slipping when it is turning around the corner.
Without a differential, both wheels of the vehicle will have the same rpm, which will cause the wheels to scrub against the surface and thus damage the sidewall and tread of the wheels of your car.
One of the things that can affect the efficiency of a differential system is maintenance of the differential fluid. Therefore, it is essential that you regularly check the level of differential fluid and change it regularly.
Types of Differentials
There are four types of differentials which are as follows:
Open Differential
Open differentials allow the wheels to rotate at different speeds while the vehicle is turning a corner. In an open differential, a single input torque is divided into two outputs for the front and rear axle. They are the most common differential found on passenger vehicles.
Locking Differential
Unlike an open (or unlocked) differential that provides the same torque to both the wheels, a locked differential can provide a large traction advantage over an open differential when the traction beneath each wheel changes greatly. For example, a locking differential in 4WD or AWD enable them to drive smoothly even on a rocky terrain.
Limited slip Differential
In a limited slip differential system, a portion of the torque is transferred to the wheel with more traction while reducing the slip on the wheel with less traction. By generating a higher amount of traction, a limited slip differential improves the performance and speed of the car. Limited slip differential is mostly found in high-performance sports cars since they significantly slow the car down when it enters a turn at high speed.
Torque-vectoring Differential
In this type of differential system, torque is transferred from the front to the back of the car, allowing for more or less rotation around the curved path. This lessens the load on the vehicle’s braking system and allows it to capture energy more efficiently.
If your car has a faulty differential system, the wheels would revolve at the same speed during the turn causing them to scrub against the surface which can damage the alignment of wheels. Hence, it is recommended to make sure you have a fully function differential system so your tyres do not get damaged and you don’t have to change car’s tyres regularly.
To fix the car differential problems, an auto mechanic may charge you around AED 1500 if it needs a minor repair while the cost to replace the whole gearbox depends on the make and model of your car. If the differential is not fixable, it is time to replace it. If you are interested in purchasing a used car, you can check out dubizzle which has a vast variety of used cars for sale in UAE. To keep up with all what’s happening in the world of automobiles, stay tuned to UAE’s leading auto blog.
Related Posts
