Driving in sand question

[Metzbower]

I am new to this forum -driving a 2007 SR5 4wd 4Runner. There is a button on the dash on the left side, and if I engage it, I have no handling on sand. When I try to turn on sand, all I hear is a clicking sound and the vehicle wants to stop. I drive a lot on the Core Banks, below the Outer Banks in NC. What does this button do - as far as engaging the differential(s)? I also carry a shovel and kayak and paddle and the paddle is far easier to use to dig out than the (small) 30" shovel.

Love the 4runner, have 86k on it already and about to have a kayak trailer built so I won't need to lift boats on to the Yakima rack anymore. Plan to have it till 250k miles, unless an act of God, or a woman on a cell phone takes it away.

 

[Presta24]

I am new to this forum -driving a 2007 SR5 4wd 4Runner. There is a button on the dash on the left side, and if I engage it, I have no handling on sand. When I try to turn on sand, all I hear is a clicking sound and the vehicle wants to stop. I drive a lot on the Core Banks, below the Outer Banks in NC. What does this button do - as far as engaging the differential(s)? I also carry a shovel and kayak and paddle and the paddle is far easier to use to dig out than the (small) 30" shovel.

Love the 4runner, have 86k on it already and about to have a kayak trailer built so I won't need to lift boats on to the Yakima rack anymore. Plan to have it till 250k miles, unless an act of God, or a woman on a cell phone takes it away.

if u engage it, it locks ur center diff up, do u get a VSC off light on ur dash? with VSC on ur abs will kick in and stop power to wheels with out traction...thats the clicking noise u hear, in sand i would guess you want it OFF

 

[ALLEGRO]

Lock the center diff and you will be fine.

This disables the VSC and will allow wheel-spin in order to get you out of what you got into.

Good Luck

 

[Doozi]

Lock the center diff and you will be fine.

This disables the VSC and will allow wheel-spin in order to get you out of what you got into.

Good Luck

Also note that when you push that button to lock the center diff, the VSC light will turn on in the dash... the light being on is a warning that VSC is off. I tested it out on a sandy section of a dirt road and it makes a huge difference.

~Doozi

 

[DaveS]

If you push it and you see a symbol that looks like this in the dash

/--/
I
/--/

You have the central diff locked, which means VSC is off (little orange symbol for that too) and you will have no problem in sand

BUT - you don't want to drive round on dry pavement with that symbol lit up - it will result in binding and excessive wear on your 4wd

 

[Presta24]

is it ok to drive hwy speeds with the center diff locked? or is this like a 4lo thing?

 

[M1911]

is it ok to drive hwy speeds with the center diff locked? or is this like a 4lo thing?

The center diff should only be locked when offroad or on snow. Don't drive with the center diff locked on dry pavement. If you are driving at highway speeds, you don't need to have the center diff locked.

On sand, reduce your tire pressure to 15 psi. Lock the center diff. I prefer 4wd lo, but 4wd hi works as well.

 

[DaveS]

You can lock the central diff in Hi or Lo - I wouldn't drive highway speeds with it locked myself - if you are going that fast you probably have good enough traction to damage the drivetrain with the diff locked

 

[03_4x4Runner]

The center diff should only be locked when offroad or on snow. Don't drive with the center diff locked on dry pavement. If you are driving at highway speeds, you don't need to have the center diff locked.

On sand, reduce your tire pressure to 15 psi. Lock the center diff. I prefer 4wd lo, but 4wd hi works as well.

Also in loose sand give it a lot of throttle to keep the tires spinning fast, especially if climbing a dune.

 

[M1911]

Also in loose sand give it a lot of throttle to keep the tires spinning fast, especially if climbing a dune.

I drive on flat beaches. No need for a lot of throttle on a flat beach. Drive like you would on snow -- don't accelerate fast, don't brake fast, don't try to turn sharply. Everything nice and easy.

 

[Nuke]

And don't forget to air down in sand. Some guys go as low as 14-18 PSI but I usually aired down to about 22-24. Just be sure to air back up for on-road ASAP.

 

[M1911]

And don't forget to air down in sand. Some guys go as low as 14-18 PSI but I usually aired down to about 22-24. Just be sure to air back up for on-road ASAP.

I air down to 15 psi.