Guys,
I'm going to Kathu next week and my friend mentioned that he want to go to Witand, apparantly it is just sand driving.
I want to know is there a trick to sand driving, I've been to Chimes and noticed that the traction control doesn't really help on sand.
Do you have any tips for driving there?
TC is slightly less effective than a diff-lock in sand (depending on how sharp the corner is you need to make 
- an engaged rear difflock will cause the tyres on the inside on the turning circle to dig in).
Sand is all about momentum, and having the tyre pressures low.
Did all the sand in the central kalahari at 1.8 bar in May this year. For very deep sand & dunes you should can go down to 1 bar, or even 0.8 if neccessary (just limit the sharp turns when tyre pressure below 1 bar).
Other than that it is all about momentum - the more speed the better
Other good ideas:
- an engaged rear difflock will cause the tyres on the inside on the turning circle to dig in).Sand is all about momentum, and having the tyre pressures low.
Did all the sand in the central kalahari at 1.8 bar in May this year. For very deep sand & dunes you should can go down to 1 bar, or even 0.8 if neccessary (just limit the sharp turns when tyre pressure below 1 bar).
Other than that it is all about momentum - the more speed the better
Other good ideas:
- Dont brake hard when you stop - creates a little wall infront of the tyres - more difficult to take off.
If you get stuck, dont keep on spinning the wheels - you are just digging yourself in - When stuck - try to reverse out first (especially on an uphill)
- When on a dune / uphill and momentum has been los (you're standing basically still), stop, reverse down, and try again with more speed
- When going uphill - try to always take it head on - dont take a dune sideways. The tyres at the bottom of the dune will tend to dig in.
- On loong dunes/hills with uneven surfaces, the same applies as for very rocky surfaces - keep that left foot planted/jammed against the side to give constant power. The TC disengages momentarily if you lift your foot off the power, causing you to loose momentum and traction.
Karl
Just came back from a trip (5 days in the namib) with enough exercise in dune (sand) driving. Saying that does not make me an expert but share our experience.
What in the previous reply said is very valid except fro:
Turn your TC off - it is one of the main culprits for losing traction. Rather use the difflock. The fact that there areslip in turns is a small price.
Turns are limited as sandslopes need to (no must be tackled at right angles. Otherwise you may land on your roof.
We drove with 0.8bar for more thatn 500km without losing a wheel. Sharp turns incldued. Limit your acceleration in the turns as that will cause wheels to leave the rims.
Momentum is king - but the anomoly is that speed is not equal to momemtum. The momemtum is a function of traction, constant speed en forward movement. We manage to go over some dunes at a relatively slow speed but on other we really needed to gun it.
Rather do it over that to overdo it.
I trust that this will be pg assistance.
What in the previous reply said is very valid except fro:
Turn your TC off - it is one of the main culprits for losing traction. Rather use the difflock. The fact that there areslip in turns is a small price.
Turns are limited as sandslopes need to (no must be tackled at right angles. Otherwise you may land on your roof.
We drove with 0.8bar for more thatn 500km without losing a wheel. Sharp turns incldued. Limit your acceleration in the turns as that will cause wheels to leave the rims.
Momentum is king - but the anomoly is that speed is not equal to momemtum. The momemtum is a function of traction, constant speed en forward movement. We manage to go over some dunes at a relatively slow speed but on other we really needed to gun it.
Rather do it over that to overdo it.
I trust that this will be pg assistance.
Thanks I will keep this in mind when we go there.
As anybody been to Witsand? how is it like?
As anybody been to Witsand? how is it like?
2009 Pajero 3.2 LWB GLX
OME Suspension
ARB Bumper
FR Roof Rack
OME Suspension
ARB Bumper
FR Roof Rack
My Pajero is a 2005 model, it only has traction control.
How do I turn off the traction control, I know something turns off when I go in to 4LLc but it is not traction control.
How do I turn off the traction control, I know something turns off when I go in to 4LLc but it is not traction control.
2009 Pajero 3.2 LWB GLX
OME Suspension
ARB Bumper
FR Roof Rack
OME Suspension
ARB Bumper
FR Roof Rack
Hey nismo
On my 2004 swb i also only have tc, if i switch the tc off and i go to 4h,4hl,4llc there is some kind of other tc that kicks in but in doesn't brake engine speed but if i leave the tc on in 4h,4hlc i lose engine power so i think if you switch to 4llc the tc switches off automatically and i think the other tc that kicks in gives less power to the wheel thats losing traction.
On my 2004 swb i also only have tc, if i switch the tc off and i go to 4h,4hl,4llc there is some kind of other tc that kicks in but in doesn't brake engine speed but if i leave the tc on in 4h,4hlc i lose engine power so i think if you switch to 4llc the tc switches off automatically and i think the other tc that kicks in gives less power to the wheel thats losing traction.
Affiliate Member
To disable all driver aids, just pull the electrical plug at the abs control at the brake booster.
The ABS light will illuminate.
Sent via iPad & Forum Runner
The ABS light will illuminate.
Sent via iPad & Forum Runner
Just to be clear on this:
There is Traction Control (T/C) and Skid Control (S/C).
Under normal conditions both those systems are active and waiting to help you. The S/C monitors things like lateral acceleration, steering angle and ofcourse idividual wheel speeds to name a few. When the system senses a skid, it immediately reduces the engine power and will activate braking to the required wheels. This will bring the car out of the skid while dramatically slowing it down as well. This system can be de-activeted by pushing the little button. It will automatically de-activate when you select 4LLc. Sand driving will activate the S/C which will make your car grind to a halt halfway up a silly little dune.
The T/C couldn't care about the steering angle and lateral forces - it only keeps an eye on individual wheel speed. It will activate the brake on a wheel when it spins. The preferred driving style is a constant right foot in axle twisters and rocky terrain. There isn't a driver control to de-activate, you will need to pull a plug or something to kill the ABS (as per Marius' post).
The answer to Nismo's question has mostly been posted already:
1) Low tyre pressure
2) Good speed/momentum
3) Get the revs up above 2500rmp on the DiD and above 4000rpm for the MIVEC.
4) For typical Namib type dunes, I recommend 4HLc and S/C disabled
5) For tricky small dunes at low speed with limited run-up space, I recommend 4LLc (this will automatically de-activate the S/C)
Enjoy the trip and keep an eye out for the Pigmy Falcon.
There is Traction Control (T/C) and Skid Control (S/C).
Under normal conditions both those systems are active and waiting to help you. The S/C monitors things like lateral acceleration, steering angle and ofcourse idividual wheel speeds to name a few. When the system senses a skid, it immediately reduces the engine power and will activate braking to the required wheels. This will bring the car out of the skid while dramatically slowing it down as well. This system can be de-activeted by pushing the little button. It will automatically de-activate when you select 4LLc. Sand driving will activate the S/C which will make your car grind to a halt halfway up a silly little dune.
The T/C couldn't care about the steering angle and lateral forces - it only keeps an eye on individual wheel speed. It will activate the brake on a wheel when it spins. The preferred driving style is a constant right foot in axle twisters and rocky terrain. There isn't a driver control to de-activate, you will need to pull a plug or something to kill the ABS (as per Marius' post).
The answer to Nismo's question has mostly been posted already:
1) Low tyre pressure
2) Good speed/momentum
3) Get the revs up above 2500rmp on the DiD and above 4000rpm for the MIVEC.
4) For typical Namib type dunes, I recommend 4HLc and S/C disabled
5) For tricky small dunes at low speed with limited run-up space, I recommend 4LLc (this will automatically de-activate the S/C)
Enjoy the trip and keep an eye out for the Pigmy Falcon.
Thanks guys!
I will keep all this im mind when I'm there
I will keep all this im mind when I'm there
2009 Pajero 3.2 LWB GLX
OME Suspension
ARB Bumper
FR Roof Rack
OME Suspension
ARB Bumper
FR Roof Rack
Roelf, Hi there , i have just come back from a trip in Mozambique, and what a pleasure it was to do some sand driving again. Just a question, when the SC is switched off ( by the button next to the seat heating) the light on the dash illuminates, how do i switch it back on? Flicking the switch does not do it, but it eventually goes out by itself, how does the vehicle decide to engage the SC, and when?
Thanks
Thanks