The center differential is the most effective method of increasing the patency of any car. At the moment, almost all SUVs, including some crossovers, are equipped with this element. Like all other technical mechanisms, the center differential has its pros and cons. In this article we will try to find out how efficiently to use this element, as well as what its principle of action is.
The principle of operation and properties of the mechanism
At the moment, any modern center differential (Niva 2121, for example, is also equipped with it) works in several modes:
- Rectilinear motion (automatic).
- Slipping.
- Twists and turns.
Particularly effective center differential when slipping, where it is often used. When a car bumps into a slippery surface, whether it is ice, packed snow or dirt, this element begins to act on the axle, namely the wheels. Its principle of operation is as follows. When one of the wheels hits a hard surface with good grip, and the other, on the contrary, onto, say, slippery, the differential starts transmitting the same torque to both discs, that is, this element equals the “scrollability” of two wheels to the same value. This allows the car to get out of a snowy or contaminated stretch of road in a matter of seconds.
The same machines that do not have an interaxle differential begin to slip - the left wheel moves at one speed, and the right wheel completely different. It turns out that the car is even more buried in a snowdrift or sand. Therefore, the center differential (KAMAZ, by the way, is also equipped with it) is an integral part of any vehicle with
four-wheel drive. Often, either army trucks or domestic SUVs designed for civilian use are supplied with this element. For foreign manufacturers, the tradition of equipping their jeeps with a differential is gradually disappearing. This is not so strange - why would a "German" have a center differential if he would never use it in his life! Therefore, only a few models remained among European SUVs, which to this day are equipped with this system.
Thus, this part “connects” both wheels, transmitting the same torque from the engine to them, which gives the car additional traction for slipping.
And finally, we note several rules for the operation of cars and trucks equipped with this part.
- In order for the center differential to not vibrate and not make extraneous sounds in action, you should put the locked element in automatic mode.
- In slip mode, do not change the degree of blocking an element.
- When the car needs to be towed, you need to put the gear lever into neutral and be sure to put the center differential in manual mode. To do this, lower the DCCD adjustment wheel to the lowest position.