LSD: How to tell

[teknokracy]

I assume the dealership didn't lie to me when I bought my used '05 S, but I would like to check for sure if my car has limited slip. Is there a VIN digit or label somewhere on the car that signifies LSD? Driving without DSC enabled seems to indicate that I have LSD, though I haven't driven a non-LSD MCS in years so I have nothing to compare it to.

Also, my DSC seems to take a dump whenever I launch - I was under the impression that cars equipped with limited-slip increased the DSC threshold due to the fact that LSD gives more traction (eg, unless it's icy or rainy out, I get better traction with DSC turned completely off - no wheel spin!).

I think DSC is downright dangerous in some situations, as it robs power away unnecessarily when you are trying to make a left turn or what not...

[Ant FR]

speak to your local dealer and they will know exactly what is fitted to your car.

as far as DSC, well its a great safety feature for normal driving, however for spirited drivers to make quick progress you will need to turn it off, DSC is meant for the majority, remember its us nutters who like taking the corner that bit closer to on the limit that DSC is not for, thus turn it off.

[jdchrome]

To quickly confirm LSD or not, find a grass verge where you can stop with one wheel on it and the other on tarmac. Move quickly off - the wheel on the verge will spin briefly before the diff locks.

Pulling quickly out of junctions, especially in the wet, can be embarassing as the power is cut at the wrong moment. However, if the DSC is off the result can be the same as the wheels spin with little forward motion. You can at least balance the power better in slippey conditions when it is off. This is particularly relevant in snow, where braking can be improved by turning off the ABS so that the wheels plough into the white stuff. Not sure I really want to test this on the road though!

[GRSmotorsport]

Another way to find out if your car has a LSD is to jack your car up so that both front wheels are off the ground, then rotate the drivers side wheel clockwise. As you do this see which direction the passenger wheel is moving, if it’s stationary or going round the opposite way you don’t have a LSD, if both wheels are rotating in the same direction you have a LSD.

[SAS146]

I been wondering myself whether I have the LSD that I was told my car had or not. There is quite a bit of torque steer under heavy acceleration but I have not driven one without a LSD to compare it.

Regarding the above two posts I get a 50/50 result. First I jacked up the car and tried turning the offside wheel forwards. With the car out of gear the nearside wheel did not move. With it in gear the nearside wheel turned backwards. So according to GRSmotorsport I don't have an LSD.

I then went out and found a nice flat verge with short wet grass. I tried pulling away with a little bit of park brake held and the wheel on the tarmac was definitely doing the pulling. I tried it with the ASC on and off with the same result. So if jdchrome is correct, I do have an LSD.

I think I believe the grass more than the Jacks so I'm happy to assume that I have got an LSD.

[Paul]

You can speak to your dealer, they should be able to tell you the exact spec and options of your car.