Our '93 940 (new to us) has the locking differential. I've never had a car with this and wonder how much help it is in snow or ice conditions. Anyone out there who has experience with this differential?

Thanks for the replies. I grew up and learned to drive in South Dakota and Iowa so I've had that excitement of realizing the car passing was the rear of my car! I do have a set of unused studded snow tires but they are on wheels which fit my 240. My undersanding is they will rub on the calipers of the 940. When I can, I'll check that out.

The wife's 940 has one. Personally, I love it. Yes, you need to be careful, as with ANY axle, in bad conditions, but the end result is more control and easier forward progress. Not just in the snow, but on wet, leaf-strewn roads, mud and sand as well.

Parking the 240 on the street with one wheel in the snowy/slushy/icy gutter can make for an adventure getting out, but the 940 takes it in stride.
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Speed Racer, '83 240 R, '74 164 E, '93 940 OL1 (Manchester, CT)

I havn't tried mine on ice yet , but it came in mighty handy when pulling my boat up a muddy hill.
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-------Robert, '93 940t, '90 240 wagon, '84 240 diesel (she's sick) , '80 245 diesel

I have a couple of them. They're OK. The way it actuates is a little bit bizarre but it sure is effective. Like any traction aid, on a total ice cover it is not quite as effective (since traction sucks for all the wheels), but when you are in a situation where one wheel is on solid pavement and the other is on leaves/mud/gravel/snow/etc., it works like a champ. The problem is, it is easy to make an ass of yourself if you spin one on leaves or wet pavement, since it will engage and spin both, usually causing a big "scrreeeeeeeech" when it does (depending on pavement). On really slick surfaces, all you'll hear is a little "pop" from the rear axle

Although, that is true with any traction aid differential.

The big thing to watch out for is when turning a corner on wet pavement or whatnot. You'll hear a muffled "ccccchunk" and the back end breaks loose pretty easily. For that reason it is good to still monitor wheelspin like anything else. The way I look at it, if you're driving hard enough to get that kind of behavior from the car on all but unexpectedly slick surfaces, you should kind of expect the results.

It is nice in deep snow where one wheel just doesn't cut it. Usually the second wheel--even spinning--makes a nice difference. It's a good piece. I'd much rather have it than not have it.
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a Brickboard.com Expat

Thanks for the replys. We've had very little snow the past several years here in Oregon's Willamette Valley but we're planning a trip south over the mountains to California about the first of the year and may run into snow there. We could take the 940 or our trusty '88 240. Haven't done any long trips in the 940 and I take a while before I fully trust any new car.

I haven't driven the locker, but I have driven two other types of LSDs in 700 series Volvos. I can tell you they are a fine traction aid, but I can also tell you tha a heavy foot will cause both back tires to slip, and the next thing you will see is the rear end passing the front end.
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john

I will second that notion. Ask me about doing a 360 on black ice on the New York State Thruway at 60 mph, resulting in a totalled 1995 940. Winter tires are a must with these axles.

I remember your post about that. Glad you made.
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Warren Bain - '99 V70GLT G-Valve > 80K mi, '96 965 >120Kmi, near Manassas Va.. Check the 700/900 FAQ via the 'features' pull down menu.

My 93 965 locker will cut in abruptly with a jolt. It will indeed give you more forward thrust but possibly putting the car sideways. Especially on ice and black ice. I mean you really have to watch it every instant. Not for the sloppy driver. Car is a deathtrap on all-season tires in the slick. 4 Michelin Arctic Alpin "ice" tires made probably a 300 percent difference in acceleration, 200 in braking, and much better lateral stability. They wear like gumballs though.