Sand Driving

[Lapinas Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Lapinas]

As I am very new to 4x4 driving can I get help with sand driving my new 150 GX, I read somewhere that I should switch something or other(TC?) off before going into loose sdand, I am aware about the tyre pressure bit. Any other basic tips?

thanks

[alanm Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close alanm]

Re: Sand Driving

I've just come back from 10 days on Fraser Island, which is one the best places to visit and to go for sand driving. The last time I was there was 12 years ago in an underpowered 4cyl Pajero. This time couldn't have been more different - the Prado was as easy to drive as anything - whenever the going got a little tougher, it was simply a matter of pressing the accelterator a just a little harder. All I did was to lower the typre pressure to 24 psi, and drove in High Range in the "Select" mode, usually in 3rd gear on the slower bits and 4th gear on the easy beach driving, occasionally I had to use 2nd. Afterwards I washed the car in one of the underneath sprays at Tewantin. On arriving back in Melbourne, I searched the PP forum and elsewhere to get some tips about car care. I have washed the car thoroughly on top, and underneath a couple of times, vacuumed and wiped down the interior. One of the treatments highly recommended is to coat the underneath with a lanolin product, and I have now purchased the Lanotec Heavy Duty product (available from Blackwoods and CBC stores) and am waiting for the weather to change to dry the underneath out before applying the lanolin with a hand spray.

Fraser Island a terrific spot, we are so lucky being able to drive around it this way.

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Re: Sand Driving

As I am very new to 4x4 driving can I get help with sand driving my new 150 GX, I read somewhere that I should switch something or other(TC?) off before going into loose sdand, I am aware about the tyre pressure bit. Any other basic tips?

thanks

Spend some bucks (around 200) and maybe do a sand driving coarse up at DI, or wait until we hit the beach next time and we will give u some pointers.
in a prado though, it is fairly basic, tyres down to around low 20's or even 18 if really soft, turn off the Tc if you have it and high range normally in drive is usaully enough. Try and drive on the hard sand and the tide guide is your friend as you don't want to be on the beach too close to high tide coming in or out but particularly coming in. It is fine to go on an outgoing tide as at least you now the water is going out, but if you stick to around 3 hours either side of low tide it is normally alright.
I suggest though until you are comfortable always travel with someone else.
DI now has real easy beach access and is a real good training ground as it it is fairly easy.
It took me well over a dozen beach trips and a Prado to tackle Moreton island on our own, and then i still took some maxtrax's for insurance.

[Rogerthatv2 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Rogerthatv2]

Re: Sand Driving

Drop in to your local 4x4 shop and grab Dirty Weekends in South East Qld. Full of great trips around your area but also great for tips. Full of tips on sand and bush driving for beginners. Also as Hutch said above join us on our next PP day to the beach. Best way to learn is to get out and do it. Enjoy.

[Jonny Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jonny]

Re: Sand Driving

Gerneral sand driving tips:

1. Let your tyre pressures down
2. Only drive directly up and down dunes - never across them!
3. Momentum is your friend. Keep your speed up(not to make it dangerous of course)
4. Don't hit the brakes hard unless needed. You will dig in getting bogged easier.
5. Bring a shovel or some Maxxtraxxs
6. Dont make any hard turns
7. Try to stop with the front of the car slighty down hill making it easier to start off again
8. Don't accelerate off too hard from the start. This will dig you down.

Those are off the top of my head for now

enjoy

J

[lafona00 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close lafona00]

Re: Sand Driving

Just coming back from a 2 days desert trip... and Jonny you said it all.

I would just add to drop your tyre pressure up to 18 minimum... if you are getting stuck... deflate more ie: 14 or 12 ^si and engage low ratio just to get you out
As soon as unstuck pump some air back in tyres and go back to High

[Lapinas Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Lapinas]

Re: Sand Driving

[quote="Jonny"]Gerneral sand driving tips:

1. Let your tyre pressures down
2. Only drive directly up and down dunes - never across them!
3. Momentum is your friend. Keep your speed up(not to make it dangerous of course)
4. Don't hit the brakes hard unless needed. You will dig in getting bogged easier.
5. Bring a shovel or some Maxxtraxxs
6. Dont make any hard turns
7. Try to stop with the front of the car slighty down hill making it easier to start off again
8. Don't accelerate off too hard from the start. This will dig you down.

Those are off the top of my head for now

enjoy

Thanks fellas, all very good logical advice, pls fill me about the Traction Controll option on the 150 should I switch it off before going on sand? Is there anything else different about the 150 I should know, I have read the manual couple of times but there is no comparision to talking to people with experience.

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Sand Driving

Turn off TC before hitting the sand because when the car detects wheel slip, it will try to reduce power and this will lead you to getting bogged when what you want is more power to get you out.

[lafona00 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close lafona00]

Re: Sand Driving

Turn off TC before hitting the sand because when the car detects wheel slip, it will try to reduce power and this will lead you to getting bogged when what you want is more power to get you out.

+1

[hookedon4wding Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close hookedon4wding]

Sand Driving

I'd also turn off stability control. When we were on the beach in soft sand at Coffin Bay NP I had traction control off but the stability control still kept going off. You can turn it off by pressing and holding the traction control button for 3 seconds. Then they're both off.

Cheers, Sam.

[Lapinas Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Lapinas]

Re: Sand Driving

I'd also turn off stability control. When we were on the beach in soft sand at Coffin Bay NP I had traction control off but the stability control still kept going off. You can turn it off by pressing and holding the traction control button for 3 seconds. Then they're both off.

Cheers, Sam.

I assume that once the engine is turned off the TC and SC are reactivated when the engine is restarted. One more question, do you stay in auto or change over to manual gears. I appreaciate all the good advice received so far its great to have access to so much expertise and yes I will either tag a long with someone experienced or have him/her come along for the first couple of times. Thanks again

[hookedon4wding Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close hookedon4wding]

Sand Driving

Yeah I think they reactive once the car is turned off and on. I used the manual mode in deep sand so I could keep it in third gear and easily tap down to second if required.

[lafona00 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close lafona00]

Re: Sand Driving

Even with the 4L petrol, I use the Sport mode, they is a better reacion, and I think it is better for the desert driving!

Thanks for the stability control tip. I wasnot aware.Great

[gxllouie Member Find all posts View Profile Close gxllouie]

Re: Sand Driving

I'd also turn off stability control. When we were on the beach in soft sand at Coffin Bay NP I had traction control off but the stability control still kept going off. You can turn it off by pressing and holding the traction control button for 3 seconds. Then they're both off.

Cheers, Sam.

just remember it is almost opposite when you are in L4. VSC is disabled automatically in L4. You have to hold down button for 3 secs to turn off TC

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Re: Sand Driving

I have an auto, but like using the Triptronic when on sand, allows me to stay in one gear and keep the revs up. I usually travel in high range, 2nd / 3rd BUT in the real soft stuff I'd agree down to LR, and take the TC off. And whatever you do go and spend $275.00 on a set of Maxtrax....I wouldn't go near a beach without them! But I am way short of being an expert so that's just how do it and everyone is an individual.