Limited slip differential (BMW 5 Series E34)

Under unfavorable road conditions, it may happen that the torque transmitted by a conventional differential is not absorbed by one of the wheels, which will begin to slip. The danger of such slipping is largely prevented by a limited-slip differential (with a locking coefficient of about 25%). In practical operation, this means improved traction properties when starting off and accelerating (in the adverse road conditions mentioned above), and also when cornering in a sporty manner.

However, at the same time, a car moving on a road with an uneven surface and a changing coefficient of adhesion of the wheels to the road, in a variable engine load mode and at a high level of its power utilization, exhibits an increased tendency to turn around the vertical axis passing through its center of gravity. Overcoming this negative tendency requires increased tension and special attention from the driver, which is necessary for a sporty driving style.

The limited-slip differential operates without driver intervention.

(The article was copied from an online resource bmwman.ru)