Volvo RWD 200 Forum

INDEX FOR 1/2026(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 7/2011 200 INDEX

[<<]  [>>]


 VIEW    REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE Replies to this message will be emailed.    PRINT   SAVE 

Really sure about that Locking Diff? 200 1981

Hi. Re: "...I should also mention that I'm putting in a Detroit TrueTrac posi within the next few weeks...."

Are you really sure you want that? People are always raving about limited slip and locking diffs, and while they're great for the track, or even doing stunts on the street, in really slippery conditions (e.g., ice) there is a noteworthy downside!

I know that you know a lot about traction in snow, because of your wise preference for tall, skinny tires -- it's the right choice in snow, a "secret" that a lot of folks down here in the U.S. really don't appreciate. I use 185-14's (without the aspect ratio, a tire defaults to a .81 aspect ratio), and have happily used 175-14's in the past. I wouldn't go to any 65 or 60 series in the winter.

But also consider this:

When tires spin, they loose what I'll call lateral traction -- the ability to slide sideways. Now let's say you're trying to go up a mild hill in your RWD Volvo, and you've applied a little too much throttle ... oops,....
First consider the usual open differential: the rear tire with the least traction will start spinning, of course, but the other tire doesn't spin and holds the rear of the car in place on the road. You may not get up the hill (unless you've got good studded tires, like my studded, Nokian Hakka-1's), but your car isn't fishtailing wildly either, and is staying straight ahead.
Next, consider your intended locked differential: both rear tires start spinning, and since neither tire exerts lateral traction, the rear of your car is fishtailing, and your steering to control wild oscillations (side to side) from winding up spinning you around.

Give this some thought. And in any case, enjoy the winter.
Ken






THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD

New Anyone ever run 175/65/15 snow tires on a 240 ? [200][1981]
posted by  someone claiming to be Roj  on Fri Oct 22 12:59 CST 2004 >


<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.