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  #1 (permalink)  
Old 06-30-2008, 09:00 PM
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Hybrids: 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
Posts: 17
Default Beach or Sand Driving

Has anyone here driven an AWD FEH or MMH on the beach or sand? I am wondering whether I need to take certain precautions, or if I should just avoid it. Should I lower the tire pressure? Is it easier to get stuck than it would be with a vehicle with 4WD low?
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Old 06-30-2008, 10:21 PM
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Real Name: Don
Hybrids: 2007 FEH 4WD
Posts: 150
Default Re: Beach or Sand Driving

The stock tires are not optimal for off-road traction, but in most cases you should be fine if you let the 4WD work for you.
One thing I like to do is an underbody wash afterwards, as there's not a lot of corrosion protection underneath.
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Old 07-01-2008, 11:32 AM
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Posts: 20
Default Re: Beach or Sand Driving

I think it'll do just fine. Check this article out. http://www.automobilemag.com/feature...ard/index.html
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Old 07-01-2008, 12:02 PM
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Real Name: Robert
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Hybrids: 2008 FEH and 2006 BMW 325i
Posts: 163
Default Re: Beach or Sand Driving

I would lover the tire pressures way down to get better traction... other than that - have fun!
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Old 04-16-2009, 03:08 PM
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Hybrids: 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
Posts: 17
Default Re: Beach or Sand Driving

I did not make it out onto the beach last year in the MMH, but I finally made it when we went this month. Here is a photo.
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beach-sand-driving-img_5041.jpg  
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  #6 (permalink)  
Old 04-18-2009, 09:41 AM
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Hybrid & Ethanol Expert
 
Real Name: John
Location: N.Colorado & S.Minnesota
Hybrids: 2005 Ford Escape FWD, 2000 Honda Insight
Posts: 3,117
Thumbs up Re: Beach or Sand Driving

Nice photo! That could/should be in a commercial or brochure!
I think this is a cool thread to share one of mine.
Let me find it....
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Old 04-18-2009, 10:06 AM
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Real Name: John
Location: N.Colorado & S.Minnesota
Hybrids: 2005 Ford Escape FWD, 2000 Honda Insight
Posts: 3,117
Talking Re: Beach or Sand Driving

Okay, here's two.
Near "Courthouse Rock" in Western Nebraska.

And you thought Nebraska was flat......


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Old 04-18-2009, 07:38 PM
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Real Name: Sean
Hybrids: 08FEH
Posts: 294
Default Re: Beach or Sand Driving

is that near school-house rock?
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  #9 (permalink)  
Old 05-15-2009, 11:51 AM
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Real Name: Johncena
Posts: 10
Default Re: Beach or Sand Driving

4WD and AWD will do best on soft sand. Automatic AWD is OK but not as efficient as 4WD and AWD.Stock tires do not provide enough flotation for todays rather heavy vehicles. They’ll cut into the sand like a hot knife in butter. You probably won’t get far. The resistance of the sand will soon slow you down to a stop. Small, light 4WD vehicles do best on soft sand.

This is very important for you to remember: When you notice that one or more tires start spinning get off the gas immediately!

Spinning tires will dig deep into the sand and make going back to safe ground very hard. A speedy recovery is almost impossible.
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