Can You Skid With an Open Differential?

Yes—you can skid with an open differential, but it’s harder, less consistent, and usually limited to low-grip surfaces or momentum-based techniques. On dry tarmac, an open diff tends to spin just one driven wheel (“one-tire fire”), making sustained drifts and tidy donuts difficult without aiding techniques like the handbrake, clutch kick, or a feint.

What an Open Differential Actually Does

An open differential splits torque between two driven wheels but allows the wheel with the least grip to spin. That’s great for smooth turning in normal driving, but under heavy throttle it often routes power to the unloaded (inside) wheel, breaking traction there first. The result is wheelspin without much sideways propulsion—why many open-diff cars leave one black stripe.

Modern cars complicate this with stability control and brake-based “e-diff” systems that briefly brake a spinning wheel to mimic limited-slip behavior. Depending on calibration (and whether you can disable or relax it in a track mode), these systems can either hamper skids or help you maintain traction just enough to keep a slide going.

Types of Skids and How Drivetrain Matters

Burnouts and Donuts

With an open diff, burnouts on dry pavement often become a one-wheel affair. Donuts demand both rear wheels to spin together to push the car around; that’s tricky with an open diff unless the surface is wet, dusty, or otherwise slippery. Cars with line-lock or drift-assist features can help, but those are usually paired with stronger differentials or sophisticated stability software.

Drifting (Sustained Oversteer)

Drifting an open-diff car is most achievable on low-traction surfaces—wet asphalt, gravel, snow—where less power is required to break both rear tires free. On dry surfaces, you’ll rely more on weight transfer and rotation (feint, trail braking, clutch kicks) than on raw power. Even then, the slide tends to be shorter and choppier than in a car with a limited-slip differential (LSD).

Techniques to Initiate a Skid With an Open Diff

The following techniques help compensate for an open differential by using weight transfer, momentary wheel lock, or carefully applied power to rotate the car. Practice only in safe, legal environments with adequate runoff and proper instruction.

• Handbrake (e-brake) tug: Momentarily locks rear wheels to break traction and pivot the car; quickly release to prevent stalling the slide. Hydraulic handbrakes work best on RWD; FWD cars often rely on this to initiate rotation.
• Clutch kick (manual transmissions): Briefly unload then re-engage the clutch at higher RPM to shock the drivetrain, breaking rear traction. Timing matters to avoid bogging or drivetrain shock.
• Scandinavian flick (feint): Steer opposite, then back into the corner to load and unload the rear tires, creating rotation. Effective even at modest speeds.
• Lift-off oversteer and trail braking: Reduce throttle or lightly brake while turning to transfer weight forward, unloading the rear and inducing rotation.
• Power-over on low-μ surfaces: On wet or loose surfaces, a measured throttle squeeze can overcome rear grip even with an open diff.
• Left-foot braking: Subtly drags the brakes to help rotate the chassis and keep the turbo spooled (if applicable); advanced technique with heat risks.
• Surface choice: Wet skidpads, polished concrete, gravel lots on private property or track facilities are far more forgiving than hot, dry tarmac.
• Electronics management: Disable or set stability control to its least intrusive setting; some cars offer track modes or “e-diff” calibrations that allow controlled slip.

These methods all aim to reduce rear grip and add yaw so both rear wheels have a chance to slide together, even if the diff itself prefers to spin just one tire.

Car Setup Tips That Help an Open-Diff Skid

You can tune the car to break rear traction more predictably, making open-diff skids less frustrating. Keep changes reversible if the car is also a daily driver.

• Tire pressures: Raise rear pressures a bit relative to the front to reduce rear grip; avoid unsafe overinflation and monitor temps.
• Tire choice: Harder, narrower, or older rear tires slide more readily; keep both rears matched in size and wear to avoid diff strain.
• Anti-roll bars and springs: A stiffer rear bar or relatively softer front can promote oversteer; small changes go a long way.
• Alignment: More front negative camber and a hint of front toe-out sharpen turn-in; keep rear toe near zero to mild toe-in for stability.
• Weight balance: Remove unnecessary rear cargo; shifting weight forward subtly reduces rear grip.
• Brake maintenance: Strong, consistent rear brakes make handbrake initiations more effective; ensure the system is healthy to avoid fade.

Setups that reduce rear grip make initiating a slide easier, but they can also reduce stability in emergency maneuvers; revert to safer street settings for daily use.

Limits, Risks, and Real-World Considerations

An open differential skids inconsistently and stresses components in ways drivers often underestimate. Consider the following before you try.

• Inconsistency: Expect “one-tire fire” and snap re-grips; sustaining angle is tricky and hard on tires.
• Component stress: Clutch kicks and e-brake use shock the drivetrain; wheel bearings, axles, diffs, and clutches can suffer.
• Brake and tire heat: Handbrake work overheats rear brakes; prolonged slipping destroys tires quickly.
• Electronics and e-diff fade: Brake-based torque vectoring can overheat and reduce effectiveness mid-session.
• Legal and safety issues: Skids on public roads are illegal and dangerous; use sanctioned track or skidpad events with proper PPE.
• Weather hazards: Wet roads lower the bar to slide—but also to lose control; oil-slicked or crowned surfaces are especially treacherous.

Treat open-diff skids as a learning exercise in controlled environments, not a street stunt; the margin for error is small and the costs can be high.

When an LSD (or Welded Diff) Makes Sense

A limited-slip differential (clutch-type, helical/Torsen, or hybrid) sends more torque to the wheel with grip, making initiation and sustain far more predictable. Clutch-type LSDs are favored for drifting thanks to tunable lock-up; helicals work well for grip driving but can act open if a wheel fully unloads. Viscous units are gentler but can feel vague when hot. A welded diff provides consistent lock but is harsh, can be illegal for road use in many regions, and stresses driveline parts. Many newer performance cars pair LSDs with selectable stability modes, yielding the most controllable skids.

Summary

You can skid with an open differential, especially on low-grip surfaces and with techniques that use weight transfer or temporary wheel lock. On dry pavement, expect one-wheel spin and short, inconsistent slides; an LSD dramatically improves control and consistency. If you try, tune the car conservatively, manage electronics, and practice only in safe, legal environments with proper instruction.

Can you make an open differential limited slip?

Yes, you can convert an open differential to a limited slip differential (LSD), either by installing an LSD carrier assembly or by using a specialized conversion kit that adds components to your open differential. However, a professional or experienced DIYer is needed for a successful conversion, as it involves disassembling the differential and correctly setting the gear backlash and preload. Some “rigged-up” methods using shims or washers are possible but are not recommended due to potential failure and poor performance, making either an LSD carrier replacement or a quality conversion kit the preferred approach.
 
Methods to Convert an Open Differential to an LSD

• Swap in an LSD Carrier Assembly: Opens in new tabThis involves replacing the entire open differential carrier with a limited slip carrier assembly. This is often the most reliable method but requires professional gear setup to ensure proper backlash and preload. 
• Install a Limited Slip Conversion Kit: Opens in new tabKits are available from companies like Traction Concepts and RacingDiffs that add components to an open differential to make it function as an LSD. These kits typically include friction plates, springs, and other parts to introduce a locking mechanism to the differential. 

This video demonstrates the installation process of a limited slip conversion kit: 46sDAYCREWYouTube · Mar 20, 2024
Important Considerations

• Complexity: Converting an open differential is not a simple DIY task. It requires a good understanding of differential assembly and gear setup. 
• Tools and Expertise: You’ll need specialized tools to properly set the gear backlash and carrier preload. 
• Cost vs. Benefit: While a conversion can be cheaper than buying a whole new limited slip rear end, if you have to pay for professional labor, it might be more cost-effective to buy a complete junkyard limited slip axle. 
• Durability: Some budget conversion kits have shown poor durability, failing after only a short time. Quality conversion kits are designed for longevity and provide predictable performance. 
• Alternative: The easiest and cheapest option is often to find a complete rear axle with an LSD from a wrecking yard. 

Can you slide with an open diff?

Open differentials are NOT good for drifting.

Can I drift with an open diff?

Yes this is a really good technique. If you want to break traction with both wheels at the same time in an open diff car. And it works almost every time and it’s really good to initiate a drift.

What are open diffs good for?

The main benefits of an open differential are smooth, stable handling during normal driving by allowing wheels to rotate at different speeds, preventing tire scuffing and wheel hop, along with its simplicity and low manufacturing cost. These advantages make it suitable for passenger cars and light trucks used on regular roads, though its tendency to send power to the wheel with less traction limits its performance on low-grip surfaces.
 
Benefits of an Open Differential

• Smoother Turns: By allowing wheels to spin at different speeds, an open differential provides smooth, stable handling during turns, preventing the annoying wheel hop or skipping that would occur with a more rigid system. 
• Predictable Driveability: For everyday driving, open differentials offer predictable and smooth handling characteristics, which are beneficial for passenger cars. 
• Cost-Effective: Open differentials are simple in design, lightweight, and inexpensive to manufacture, making them an economical choice for most vehicle applications. 
• Reduced Tire Wear: The ability of the wheels to rotate independently reduces stress on the tires and minimizes wear and tear. 
• Simpler Design: Compared to more complex systems like limited-slip or locking differentials, the open differential’s basic design is straightforward, leading to fewer potential points of failure. 

When an Open Differential is a Disadvantage 

• Loss of Traction: Opens in new tabIn situations with low traction, such as driving on ice, mud, or when one wheel is off the ground, an open differential sends all available power to the wheel with the least resistance, often leading to one wheel spinning uselessly.
• Limited Off-Road Performance: Opens in new tabThe redirection of power to the wheel with less grip makes open differentials unsuitable for off-road driving or navigating challenging obstacles where maximum traction is needed.