No, you should not turn with a differential lock engaged on paved roads in the UAE, as it forces both wheels on the same axle to rotate at the same speed, which can cause severe tire scrubbing, drivetrain stress, and potential loss of control during cornering. In the UAE, where popular 4x4s like the Toyota Land Cruiser and Nissan Patrol are common for both city and desert use, understanding this is critical. For example, a GCC-spec 2023 Land Cruiser VXR's electronic locking rear differential is designed solely for low-traction recovery in straight lines over sand dunes or rocky terrain. The RTA Dubai's vehicle inspection guidelines implicitly highlight the importance of a properly functioning differential for safe roadworthiness, while off-road training providers aligned with MOI UAE safety protocols always instruct drivers to disengage locks before turning. The financial impact of misuse is real: forcing turns on asphalt can lead to premature wear of tires (costing ~800 AED each for an all-terrain set), differential repairs (~2,500-4,000 AED), and even axle damage. Over 5 years of ownership with occasional off-road use, a driver who misuses the diff lock could incur unnecessary repair costs adding 0.15-0.25 AED per km to their total running costs, on top of accelerated tire replacement every 30,000 km instead of the typical 50,000 km.
