In message

, at 16:30:11 on Sun, 26 Oct 2014, Recliner
remarked:
Independently and momentarily applying the individual brakes probably is
more effective for regaining traction than locking the diff, not that many
two-wheel drive cars have locking diffs.

Not permanently locked ones, but a brake in the diff (rather that at the wheel).

A permanently locked differential isn't a differential at all, but a solid
axle.

Tell that to people with manual diff-locks on their Land Rovers (or
don't you count that as "permanent" - it is rather because you have to
stop to disengage it)?

A locking diff is one where there is resistance to the turning of one
wheel vis a vis the other, which can be either mechanically or electrically
controlled. But ASC (including traction control) are much more capable and
sophisticated, which is one reason why so few two-wheel drive cars now have
locking diffs.

I'm still not convinced that ASC is the same as traction control. It
sounds to me more like a variant of ABS (in other words it controls
stopping rather than "going").
--
Roland Perry