Yes, you can technically steer, but with significant resistance and risk of drivetrain damage, especially on tarmac-surfaced roads common in the UAE. Engaging a differential lock, common on GCC-spec 4x4s like the Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol, or Mitsubishi Pajero, forces all wheels on an axle to turn at the same speed. On high-traction surfaces like Sheikh Zayed Road or Dubai's city streets, this prevents the necessary speed difference between wheels during a turn, causing tire scrubbing, heavy steering feedback, and placing immense stress on the axles and transfer case. For UAE conditions, the rule is strict: only engage on loose surfaces (soft desert dunes, deep gravel) and disengage immediately upon returning to firm ground. The RTA Dubai's vehicle inspection guidelines implicitly address this by flagging excessive and uneven tire wear, a direct consequence of improper differential lock use. Furthermore, the GSO (Gulf Standardization Organization) specifications for vehicle safety and testing assume systems like differential locks are used as intended by the manufacturer for off-road scenarios, not for prolonged on-road driving. A real cost consideration for UAE owners is that regularly forcing turns on pavement with a locked differential can lead to premature failure. Replacing a differential unit on a Patrol or Land Cruiser can cost upwards of 8,000 AED for parts and labor, not including the cost of the visibly damaged tires, which may need replacement every 15,000-20,000 km instead of the typical 40,000-50,000 km.
