Differential Locking

**Differential Locking** (shortened to **Diff. Lock** in-game) is a gameplay mechanic in Spintires, MudRunner, and SnowRunner.

## SpinTires and MudRunner

Diff lock is activated by a single button except in Hardcore, where it is unavailable for automatic shifting. Diff Lock forces all powered wheels to rotate at the same speed, improving traction and preventing them from digging into mud. This weakens the vehicle's handling and in Hardcore mode and can damage the vehicle when on hard surfaces unless disabled in time. It shuts off whenever if the vehicle does take damage from its use.

Some vehicles like the C-65115 do not have it, limiting their utility to asphalt roads only as Differential Locking is often essential off-road. Some others like the K-700 and B-66 have it permanently engaged, giving them a massive advantage off-road, while still benefitting from automatic gear without causing damage when driving on hard surfaces at the cost of road performance and potentially fuel consumption.

## SnowRunner

SnowRunner introduces the ability for certain trucks to get Diff Lock, if they do not have it. Trucks like the Ford CLT9000 or the Transtar 4070A cannot have diff lock at all, some trucks like the GMC MH9500 can have their Diff Lock found in the world which can then be used and some trucks like the Voron AE-4380 have their diff lock always on. For vehicles without permanent Diff Locks, driving with it engaged on hard surfaces can damage the gearbox, and for those that have it always on, they compensate with increased fuel consumption.

Always on Differential locks have a noticeable difference in their behavior when compared to switchable diff locks. Switchable diff locks function very similarly to true differential locks that lock both wheels together for equal traction while always on differential locks function like limited slip differentials. Limited slip differentials (LSDs) allow each wheel to rotate at different speeds while ensuring each wheel is able to maintain power and traction. This difference in handling and difference in wheel spin is more noticeable on massive trucks like the KOLOB's than other trucks.

### List of Diff. Lock types

Engageable differential lock is a type of differential lock which is by default installed on trucks which have switchable differential lock. It is engaged by hitting a button though depending on the control scheme.

Show Compatible Trucks
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* Azov 42-20 Antarctic
* Burlak 6x6 (DLC)
* Caterpillar 745C
* Caterpillar CT680
* Chevrolet Kodiak C70
* Derry Longhorn 4520
* Derry Special 15C-177 (DLC)
* DON 71
* Freightliner 114SD
* International Paystar 5070
* Jeep CJ7 Renegade (DLC)
* Jeep Wrangler (DLC)
* KHAN 317 Sentinel (DLC)
* Kenworth W990 (DLC)
* KOLOB 74941
* Land Rover Defender 110 (DLC)
* Land Rover Defender 90 (DLC)
* Neo Falcon 2000 (DLC)
* Step 310E
* Tatra T813 (DLC)
* TUZ 16 "Actaeon" (DLC)
* TUZ 108 "Warthog" (DLC)
* Voron Grad
* Western Star 47X NF 1424 (DLC)
* Western Star 49X (DLC)
* Western Star 6900 TwinSteer
* ZiKZ 566A (DLC)
 Unlocked diff. lock
Unlocked differential lock is a type of differential lock which cannot be engaged.

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* International Transtar 4070A
* Navistar 5000-MV (DLC)
* Western Star 47X NF 1430 (DLC)
* Western Star 57X (DLC)
 Upgradeable diff. lock
Some trucks have their differential lock hidden away in an upgrade car and can equip it once unlocked. All trucks have differential lock spawning on every map. Trucks like Pacific P512 PF have engageable differential lock which can be unlocked by reaching the rank.

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Hide Compatible Trucks

* Caterpillar CT681 (DLC)
* Chevrolet CK1500
* GMC Brigadier 8000 (DLC)
* GMC MH9500
* Gor BY-4 (DLC)
* Hummer H2
* International HX 520 (DLC)
* Pacific P512 PF (DLC)
* Tatra 805 (DLC)
* Tatra FORCE T815-7 (DLC)
* Tatra PHOENIX (DLC)
* White Western Star 4964
* ZiKZ 5368
 Always On diff. lock
Always On differential lock is an differential lock. This differential lock cannot be disengaged.

Show Compatible Trucks
Hide Compatible Trucks

* ANK MK38 CIVILIAN
* Azov 43-191 "Sprinter" (DLC)
* Azov 5319
* Azov 64131
* Azov 73210
* Caterpillar 770G (DLC)
* Caterpillar TH357 (DLC)
* Chevrolet Apache (DLC)
* DAN 96320
* Derry Longhorn 3194
* Ford F 750 (DLC)
* Freightliner M916A1
* International Loadstar 1700
* Kenworth 963 (DLC)
* KHAN Lo4F
* Kirovets K-700 (DLC)
* KOLOB 74760
* KRS 58 "Bandit" (DLC)
* Pacific P12
* Pacific P16
* Rezvani Hercules 6x6 (DLC)
* Step 33-64 "Crocodile" (DLC)
* Step 39331 "Pike" (DLC)
* Tayga 6436
* Tayga 6455B (DLC)
* TUZ 166
* TUZ 420 "Tatarin"
* Voron AE-4380
* Voron D-53233
* YAR 87
* ZiKZ 605R (DLC)
* ZiKZ 612H (DLC)

## Trivia

* If the player is using a steering wheel and pedals with a manual shifter when playing MudRunner, and with enabled "Manual gearbox with clutch" option, they can avoid damage caused by using differential lock on hard surfaces.