Why do vehicles need a differential?

Turning requires the outer wheels to travel farther than the inner wheels in the same time. A differential allows each wheel to spin at the correct speed for its turning radius while still receiving engine torque.

How does the differential divide torque between wheels?

An open differential always sends equal torque to both output shafts. Its key limitation: on slippery surfaces, all torque goes to the spinning wheel while the gripped wheel gets none.

What is a limited-slip differential?

An LSD adds friction or locking elements to limit the speed difference between output shafts, ensuring some torque reaches the higher-traction wheel even when the other is spinning freely.

Home▸Engineering & Materials▸Differential Gear

⚙️ Differential Gear

Interactive automotive differential simulator: see how the ring gear, carrier and spider gears let the two driven wheels turn at different speeds while splitting torque, and why an open diff spins on ice.

Engineering & Materials3DModerate60 FPS❄️ Ice & Cold

⚙ Under the hood

An automotive differential lets driven wheels turn at different speeds (ω_left+ω_right=2·ω_carrier) while splitting torque. In a turn the outer wheel spins faster; on ice an open diff lets one wheel spin — an LSD fixes it.

EngineeringDifferentialGear TrainTorque SplitLimited Slip

3D · Three.js / WebGL renderer · 60 FPS target · runs fully client-side, no install