New FL owner needs some 4wd advice

[fender22]

Hi all. Just bought a 2007 FL2 TD4 SE auto, which we love and adore! Never done a lot of 4wd'ing but as we live in Brissy no doubt we'll head over to Straddie on the beach. I don't plan on doing dunes or anything but wondering what the basics of beach driving are. I assume you keep up from the wet sand and high tide mark if possible and from what I gather you drop your tyre pressure to about 20? I read somewhere it's best to turn the HDC off when sand driving or you can burn out your brakes? Not sure if that was meant for severe dune driving or just running along the beach. Also was wondering what you should do with the terrain response switch? Do you put it on the "sand setting" as soon as you hit the beach or wait until it is needed? Do you keep the vehicle in auto or use the gears?

Also, does driving on the sand nesecarily damage your vehicle? I used to live next door to a guy who used to hose under his truck after a weekend on the beach but I would imagine adding water to the salt would make things worse? Are the Freelanders galvanized or anything like that?

Any help or advice would be appreciated...

[mikehzz]

If the sand is really soft then 15 is better than 20. If driving with the dial on sand then you are better of using manual mode for cruising as it stays in low gear too long. In sand mode, it's also better to turn the DSC off otherwise you can lose power at the wrong time under load conditions. The DSC cuts in when you lose traction and that can happen a lot on sand. If tackling a big dune then throw it back into auto mode and gun it. If you do get stuck, don't rev it, change the dial to mud and ruts and reverse out.
I hope you have 17" rims as the bigger ones are fairly hopeless on sand, not enough bagging. If you know what you are doing it's a top car on sand. Mine shoots up massive dunes that pull up a lot of other supposedly more capable 4wd's. Lastly, don't use your brakes to pull up if you can avoid it. Slamming the brakes on will bury you quick smart. You pull up quick enough without them on sand anyway. If you do stop, try and stop pointing down a slope no matter how gentle. I think that about covers it. Mike

[fender22]

Much appreciated Mike! Thanks for your trouble

[Dorko]

I agree with above... but leave it in manual mode. Auto is **** house in the sand mode... hold the gears far too long.

Always turn the DSC off and the HDC shouldnt come on anyway in this mode.

I would also suggest ATR tyres for sand 4WDing. Makes a huge difference to the FL2.

I miss the FL2 in the sand, its so light compared to the disco.


Dorko