LSD vs. TC

[sw25]

Stupid question, whats the difference exactly between LSD and TC?

[Randy Chase]

They are related in function but not at all the same thing.

LSD is a Limited Slip Differential. Your engine spins the rear wheels. But not directly. It is through a differential. You need one. See-
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/differential.htm

The LSD shifts the differential to limiting how much power is applied to the wheel that is spinning more. So you get the power MORE equally applied to both driving wheels on corner exit. Which allows you to power down more/earlier, specially on tighter turns. There are a couple of different kinds of LSD.

TC is Traction Control. If the car starts sensing one wheel spinning a lot more than the other, there are various ways to try to get the car to control that traction...some more sophisticated or effective than others. They can use the brakes individually on a wheel for example. On the Lotus, the TC uses the throttle control.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/28000-...-explained.htm

[sw25]

So TC is better for, say, if your driving in the rain and lose traction. The computer will correct it by cutting off power, correct?

Thanks for the response

[Rei]

TC is electronic for the most part while a LSD is more mechanical. Oh and cars with TC but no LSD in the snow if they are a rwd midship will spin going 1mph in 1/2 of ice with upgraded tires. I know that for a fact and for those time I would take LSD. TC is more or less the company's way of "idiot" proofing their cars so their customers don't die for being stupid.

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by Rei

TC is electronic for the most part while a LSD is more mechanical. Oh and cars with TC but no LSD in the snow if they are a rwd midship will spin going 1mph in 1/2 of ice with upgraded tires. I know that for a fact and for those time I would take LSD. TC is more or less the company's way of "idiot" proofing their cars so their customers don't die for being stupid.

Hmmm... When you have LSD in the snow, you may keep from spinning a tire, but when you do loose traction, the whole rear-end lets loose and the car tends to spin instead of just one wheel spinning. There are pros and cons to almost everything, even TC and LSDs.