Ask the Editors: Posi-Traction on ATVs?
Limited-slip in all of its many labels.
Well “Posi-Traction” is actually a trademark phrase of GM’s that was applied specifically to the Chevrolet line describing vehicles equipped with a limited slip differential.
In a normal rear-drive scenario, power is distributed evenly through an axle to both wheels. A differential-equipped rear drive machine has the capability of sending power to each wheel individually. The downside is that whenever one of the two rear wheels begins to lose traction, the differential naturally sends all of the power to the slipping wheel.
As anyone who has ever ridden their ATV in mud or snow can attest, all the power to the slipping wheel is a good way to dig a crater but not move forward. The limited-slip takes some of the power going to the spinning wheel and transfers it to the opposite wheel to keep you moving forward.
It goes by many names in the ATV industry; differential lock being one of the more popular labels. But “Posi-Traction”, a trademark of GM, isn’t one of them.
