What does a differential do in a car

The axle or differential is one of the power train components in a car. You can see the axle easily in vehicles such as trucks or pickups. In this type of car, you can find the axle at the bottom of the car's back. The shape is round and connected to both sides of the rear wheel.

However, all cars types, whether using front or rear-wheel drive, can certainly use differential. Yes, this is because the differential has an important function for the vehicle. There are at least 4 differential functions that we can find. What does a differential do in a car? Check out the information below.

1. Transmits an engine's torque to the wheels.

The differential's first function is to transmit an engine's torque to the wheels. The differential itself is a part of the power train system connected to the propeller shaft and wheels.

To remind you, wheel rotation is the result of engine rotation driven through a series of the power train, here is a series of engine rotation power flows that are passed in the power train system.

After the engine starts and the engine crankshaft rotates, the rotation will be forwarded through the clutch, then to the transmission, and continued to the propeller shaft. After that, the rotation continues to the differential, and finally to the wheels. Rotating the wheels will make the car run.

2. Increase the output torque

In addition to transmitting power from the engine to the wheels, the next differential's function is to increase the output torque. The output torque is the rotational power generated from a rotating object (in this case is the engine).

The faster the object rotates, the smaller the torque produced—Vice versa, the slower the rotating object, the greater the torque produced.

To move a car, it takes too much torque. Because the engine's rotational speed is high enough (around 750-900 revolutions per minute or about 12.5 revolutions per second), the resulting rotational power is small and not enough to make the car move and go.

Therefore a differential is installed to increase the rotational power and reduce the engine rotational speed. That way, the car can go from a stopped position.

3. Change the rotate angle to 90 degrees

The next differential function is to change the propeller shaft's resulting rotation direction by 90 degrees from its original position. We can pay attention to this purpose in cars with Front-Engine Rear-Drive type (FR).

In FR type car, the rotation of the propeller shaft will rotate to the right or left. Well, the rotation axle will be converted by 90 degrees into a forward or backward rotation. That way, the car can also go forward or backwards.

4. Distinguishing the rotation of the right and left wheels when turning

The differential's last function is to distinguish the rotation of the right and left wheels when turning. The difference between right and left wheel rotation is required when the car turns. The aim is to prevent tire damage from being dragged or pulled when turning and to make the car's turning radius shorter.

With the differential, when the car turns, the rotating speed between the right and left wheels will be adjusted to avoid slippage, that is, by making the wheels on the outside tend to be faster than the wheels on the inside. That way, the tires are more durable, and the car is easier to turn.