Thread: Proof of Active Locking Rear Differential

Inside they're great videos. Really shows off the systems.

Further to Gordon's link to a site showing images of the Electronic active rear diff I have managed to take a photo of my rear diff (attached) showing the solenoid.

Great videos Andrew.

I do have a question though, or at least an observation:

In the D3 vid the instructor talks about the need for the diff lock to engage to move forward once two wheels have left the ground. He also talks about the air suspension.

In the FL vid the instructor advises there's no diff lock or air suspension, and then demonstrates how the traction control will get the FL through.

Thing is, the D3 has traction control, so what was proven in the demo?

Originally Posted by WhiteD3

Great videos Andrew.

I do have a question though, or at least an observation:

In the D3 vid the instructor talks about the need for the diff lock to engage to move forward once two wheels have left the ground. He also talks about the air suspension.

In the FL vid the instructor advises there's no diff lock or air suspension, and then demonstrates how the traction control will get the FL through.

Thing is, the D3 has traction control, so what was proven in the demo?

I wondered the same thing. I've seen videos of the D3 doing the same thing the FL2 rear wheel did (stop start stop start etc).

Lets look for somewhere tomorrow Mark and do a little
experiment - I'm guessing you don't have the active rear diff?

Originally Posted by djhampson

I'm guessing you don't have the active rear diff?

An oversight on my part

RichardK and I have taken our (almost identical) D3's over the same ground - mine with the locking diff, his without, and you struggle to find any difference in the cars' performances on all but the most extreme rock-climbs. The std traction control is (in most situations) just as competent at controlling a spinning wheel as is the locking diff. In "rock-crawl" it's much more effective than the FL2.

Cheers,

Gordon

Originally Posted by gghaggis

RichardK and I have taken our (almost identical) D3's over the same ground - mine with the locking diff, his without, and you struggle to find any difference in the cars' performances on all but the most extreme rock-climbs.

This confirms what I have read elsewhere. The active rear diff's benefits are rarely noticed in the D3 due to the traction control.

Originally Posted by gghaggis

The std traction control is (in most situations) just as competent at controlling a spinning wheel as is the locking diff. In "rock-crawl" it's much more effective than the FL2.

I would think the advantage in rock crawl is purely down to the air suspension (clearance) and low range of the D3 and not related to traction control at all?

Keeping in mind that this is the D3 Zone is it reasonable to come to the conclusion that the traction control and comparable performances of the D3 and FL2 is equal when you compare traction alone regardless of active diff locks?

The system response times vary in the different TR settings. The TC is at its most aggressive settings in "rock-crawl", least aggressive in "sand".

As the FL doesn't have "rock-crawl", it wouldn't lock up as fast. And of course, not having low-range, as you said!

Cheers,

Gordon