How do I know if my truck has a limited slip differential?
If you own a truck, you may have heard the term "limited slip differential" but aren't sure how to determine if your vehicle has one. A limited slip differential is a type of differential that helps improve traction and handling, especially in off-road or slippery conditions. Here's how you can identify if your truck has this feature.
What is a Limited Slip Differential?
A limited slip differential is a type of differential that is designed to distribute power more evenly between the two wheels on an axle. In a standard open differential, if one wheel loses traction, the differential will send more power to that wheel, causing it to spin faster and the vehicle to lose control. A limited slip differential, on the other hand, uses clutches or gears to limit the amount of power that can be sent to the wheel with less traction, ensuring that both wheels receive enough power to keep the vehicle moving forward.
How to Identify a Limited Slip Differential
There are a few ways to determine if your truck has a limited slip differential:
- Check the Differential Housing: Look for a label or stamp on the differential housing that says "Limited Slip" or "Locking Differential".
- Listen for Noise: When turning sharply or driving on slippery surfaces, a limited slip differential may make a whirring or clicking noise that is different from the sound of a standard open differential.
- Observe Wheel Behavior: If you can see the wheels of your truck while driving, observe how they behave when one wheel loses traction. If both wheels continue to spin at a similar speed, your truck likely has a limited slip differential.
- Consult Your Owner's Manual: Your truck's owner's manual should provide information on the type of differential installed in your vehicle.
If you're still unsure, you can also consult a mechanic or the manufacturer of your truck to determine if it has a limited slip differential.
Benefits of a Limited Slip Differential
A limited slip differential offers several benefits for truck owners, including:
- Improved Traction: The limited slip feature helps prevent wheel spin and ensures that power is distributed evenly to both wheels, improving traction and handling in slippery or off-road conditions.
- Better Cornering: The limited slip differential can help the truck maintain better control and stability when cornering, reducing the risk of understeer or oversteer.
- Enhanced Durability: By distributing power more evenly, a limited slip differential can help reduce wear and tear on the drivetrain components, potentially extending the life of your truck.
Knowing whether your truck has a limited slip differential can help you better understand its capabilities and make the most of its performance, especially in challenging driving conditions.
How do you know if you have a limited slip differential?
You can tell if you have a limited slip differential (LSD) by checking for a tag on the axle, looking up the vehicle's axle code in the owner's manual or door sticker, or performing a physical test. For the physical test, safely lift both rear wheels off the ground, put the car in neutral, and spin one wheel forward by hand; if the other wheel spins in the same direction, it's an LSD. If the other wheel spins in the opposite direction, it is not an LSD.
This video shows how to check for a limited slip differential by spinning the wheels: 54sGetty's GarageYouTube · Aug 15, 2025
Method 1: Check for a tag or vehicle information
- Check the axle or door sticker: Look for a tag on the differential housing or a sticker on the driver's side door jamb that contains an axle code. Some codes indicate an LSD, while others indicate an open differential.
- Consult the owner's manual: Your vehicle's owner's manual will have information about the axle and its specifications.
Method 2: Perform the wheel-spinning test
- Safety first: Park on a level surface, engage the parking brake, and place the vehicle in neutral. Block the front wheels.
- Lift the wheels: Safely use a jack and jack stands to lift the rear of the vehicle so both rear wheels are off the ground.
- Spin one wheel: Turn one of the rear wheels forward by hand.
- Observe the other wheel:
- If it's an LSD: The opposite wheel will spin forward in the same direction as the one you are turning.
- If it's an open differential: The opposite wheel will spin backward in the opposite direction.
What vehicles have a limited slip differential?
Many modern cars have limited-slip differentials (LSD), especially performance vehicles, trucks, and front-wheel-drive cars, though the feature is often an option on specific trims or packages. Examples include performance models like the BMW M2 and the Ford Mustang, sports cars like the Toyota GT86 and Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ, and many trucks.
You can watch this video to learn how to tell if your car has a limited slip differential: 1mChrisFixYouTube · Nov 26, 2012
Examples of cars with limited-slip differentials
- BMW: M models like the M2 often feature an LSD.
- Dodge: Performance models like the Challenger SRT 392 and Charger SRT 392 have them.
- Ford: The Mustang and some versions of the Focus come with an LSD.
- Lexus: Many Lexus vehicles are equipped with advanced electronic limited-slip differentials (e-LSD).
- Mazda: The MX-5 Miata is a common example.
- Nissan: Some models like the Juke NISMO (with a manual transmission) have LSDs.
- Scion/Subaru: The jointly developed Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ both came standard with a Torsen limited-slip differential.
- Toyota: The GT86 is a notable example.
How to identify if your car has an LSD
- Check the owner's manual: This is the easiest way to confirm.
- Perform a simple test: Safely jack up one rear wheel. If you turn that wheel by hand and the other rear wheel rotates in the same direction, you likely have an LSD. If it rotates in the opposite direction, you probably have an open differential.
You can watch this video to see how to do this test: 45sERICSDIYGARAGEYouTube · Dec 8, 2018
How do you tell what type of differential you have?
The most accurate differential identification is provided by the bottom line of the tag number or axle tube stamp.
How do you tell the difference between limited slip and non limited slip axles?
A limited slip axle (LSD) allows both wheels on an axle to receive power, even if one wheel has less traction, by biasing torque to the wheel with more grip. A non-limited slip (or "open") axle sends all power to the wheel with the least traction, which causes that wheel to spin uselessly and leaves the other wheel without power. The main differences are performance and cost: limited slip axles improve traction and stability but are more expensive and complex, while open differentials are simpler, cheaper, and fine for normal driving.
This video explains the difference between an open differential and a limited slip differential: 1mdriving 4 answersYouTube · Apr 9, 2021
Limited slip axle (LSD)
- How it works: Uses clutches or gears to limit the speed difference between the two wheels, so if one wheel starts to slip, it sends more power to the other wheel.
- Advantages:
- Better traction in slippery conditions (snow, ice, rain).
- Reduces understeer when accelerating out of a corner.
- Improved handling and control during aggressive driving.
- Disadvantages:
- More complex and expensive than open differentials.
- Can wear out over time, especially the clutch packs in some designs.
This video explains how a limited slip differential works: 1mAustin CoulsonYouTube · Feb 23, 2019
Non-limited slip axle (open differential)
- How it works: Allows wheels to spin at different speeds, which is ideal for turning, but if one wheel loses traction, all power goes to that spinning wheel.
- Advantages:
- Simpler design and lower manufacturing cost.
- Smooth and predictable handling on dry roads.
- Disadvantages:
- Poor traction in low-grip situations.
- One wheel can spin while the other does nothing, leaving the vehicle stuck.
- Can lead to understeer.
This video explains how to check if your car has an open differential: 55s1974chevrolet C10YouTube · Feb 21, 2021
How to tell which you have
- Check for a tag: Look for a tag on the differential that says "use only limited slip differential fluid," which indicates you have an LSD.
- The wheel spin test:
- Jack up both rear wheels so they are off the ground.
- Spin one wheel.
- If the other wheel spins in the same direction, it's a limited slip.
- If the other wheel spins in the opposite direction, it's a standard (open) differential.
