Peter Moreton said:
>>Positraction is just another name for a limited-slip differential,
> which
>>actually makes it easier to spin out on snow and ice if the driver
> fails
>>to limit the engine power.

> An LSD ensures that if one wheel spins, the other wheel still receives
> some torque, hopefully keeping you going. With a non-LSD diff, once a
> wheel starts to spin, you loose all power into the spinning wheel.
> Therefore, I don't see how an LSD/Positraction is a bad thing in snow?

A regular differential applies almost the same torque to both wheels. So
if one wheel is in slippery stuff and spinning, the other wheel doesn't
usually have enough torque to get you moving.

A limited-slip differential has a spring-loaded clutch pack that tries to
keep both wheels turning the same speed. So if one wheel is on slippery
stuff, the other wheel gets extra torque and you have a better chance of
moving.

However, try executing a turn when all wheels are on slippery surfaces.
Instead of both rear wheels getting equal torque, they turn at the same
speed and try to push the car straight forward. This extra force can cause
one or more wheels to come unstuck from the pavement, even if you aren't
giving it too much gas pedal. In bad weather I am extra careful executing
turns at intersections in a car with a limited-slip rearend.

However, it's great at the dragstrip :-)

Cheers,

Bob

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