Dont think its amazing but rather a stupid driver who does not know how to drive in or through sand. Its clips like this that give potential purchasers the impression that the traction control will get you out of any sand bog. If you look carefully the sand it "wet" which is far easier to drive out of as its more "hard" than "dry" sand which is soft. Also he/she backed out using the angle to assist in getting out. The traction control will not get you out going forward. Most experienced 4wders switch off traction control when possible when driving in sand as it uses the brakes to lock a spinning wheel which then stops momentum when you are trying to move. Sand driving is all about floatation ie low tyre pressures, and REASONABLE momentum. If you cease to move, you stop and go back and try again. Just reving the car bogs it and then it becomes harder to get the car out. Also think about this. 4 big holes are now left in the track. Will the driver get out and fill them in so others dont crash into them?
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David Irvine
Tugs: 2016 Discovery 4./2017 Toyota 76 GLX Auto Wagon. Van: New Age Manta Ray Deluxe
I know, and accept, the demo is simply a 'marketing' exercise to show off the 'features' of the vehicle that is the Hilux in Straya. It certainly makes the crowd go OOH and AHH.
However, David's statement is very valid.
In an earlier thread, there was much castigating of fools who drive 4WDs without knowledge, experience or even better - tuition.
Demonstrations such as this only contribute further to 'ordinary folk' buying a 4WD and heading into 'terrain' and thinking they will be right.
Without one-on-one tuition, or participating with others, owners of modern 'electronically magic' 4WDs will get into more trouble than previously.
These days it is very important to get instruction in how to drive a 4WD USING the electronics to drive a 4WD in 'off road' conditions as well as getting tuition in driving 'off road' without using the electronic aids.
Cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
It also needs to be reminded that there are now many (if not all) 4WD vehicles being sold these days that have the same traction control features for 'difficult' terrain.
I think this feature was first introduced about 2005 in the Land Rover Discovery 3.
The 'amazing' aspect is a a bit less these days.
Cheers- John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
No, that's a good feature. You can go on and on about good practice and tuition, correct methodology and so on but really it all comes down to common sense. I bought my first 4WD in 1982, a super powerful Hilux 2 litre, I was a surfer and I reckon I would have driven up and down every beach in NSW, only got stuck once and that was on my first try at getting off Treachery Beach, never got stuck again. Moved on to many more 4WDs exploring through QLD, WA and the NT (plenty of rough off roads there), all I had was a high lift, shovel and a hand winch. Never had to use the winch and never got stuck. No doubt my methods would meet with scorn from the tuitioned and you'll all say my ramblings were nothing more than simple graded tracks in comparison to what 'real 4WDers' experience, but I say again - I never got stuck! Common sense goes a long way!
