system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Limited Slip Differential

How would one describe this and the advantages it brings?
gpt
A differential is used to allow the wheels on a car to turn at different speeds. A basic differential goes from no difference (both wheels moving at the same speed) to maximum difference (wheels spinning in opposite directions).

The problem with a basic differential is that it requires both wheels to have traction. If one slips, then all the power from the drive train will go to that wheel. If you jack a car with a differential up on one side, and then run the engine, then the lifted wheel will spin in the air, while the car stays in place. This is bad in muddy or snowy environments where it's easy to lose traction on one wheel and get stuck.

A limited slip differential limits the difference between in speed between the wheels. This allows the wheels to move at different speeds as required by the turning radius of the car, but does not allow one wheel to spin freely while the other wheel stays still if one wheel loses traction.