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Summer might have come to an end, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop going to the beach for a bit of fun – especially if you have a proper four-wheel drive.
Now, that doesn’t mean Bondi, Surfers Paradise or Cottesloe beaches turn into off-road playgrounds during the off season.
But Australia does have plenty of coastal areas where beach driving is allowed, which in turn offers a fantastic opportunity to explore some of the country’s less-populated areas and enjoy the potential of what your four-wheel drive was built for.
Driving a four-wheel drive on the beach is an adventure unlike anything else, giving you the freedom to find your own patch of sand to play in, your own surf break or fishing spot, or just drive somewhere different.
But what can be a great fun day out also comes with its own unique requirements and responsibilities and, if ignored, can quickly become a costly, dangerous, or environmentally damaging mistake.
Whether you are a seasoned four-wheel drive expert or you’re planning your first beach run, here’s what you need to know to stay safe and enjoy the experience.
Not all SUVs are four-wheel drives
First things first: not all SUVs are four-wheel drives and, even then, not all four-wheel drive vehicles are capable of serious off-roading.
So, before you even leave the driveway, know the full capabilities of your vehicle and whether it is suitable for beach driving.
Most small and mid-size SUVs are based on conventional car platforms and, while they might have extra ground clearance, the majority only drive the front wheels like a normal hatchback or sedan, and therefore they’re not suitable for going any further off the beaten path than a graded gravel road.
High-grade or larger SUVs are often equipped with all-wheel drive, which also doesn’t necessarily mean they are equipped to drive on the beach, especially on soft sand or dunes, as in general their AWD systems operate primarily in front-drive mode and only send torque to the rear axle if front-end wheelspin is detected.
If the beach is flat with hard-packed sand, then it may be okay. Still, proceed with caution.
Beach driving is best undertaken in a vehicle fitted with a proper four-wheel drive transmission like in the Mahindra Scorpio, which features a low-range transfer case, rear differential lock and multiple drive modes that tailor the electronics to suit various conditions, including driving on sand.
Recovery gear
Before you go, there are a few additional accessories you should always carry with you while driving on the beach – or any off-road adventure, for that matter.
First of all, you’ll need a rapid tyre deflater – or at the very least a tyre pressure gauge – to take some air out of the tyres before you drive on sand. Lowering the tyre pressure essentially increases the footprint of the tyre, which reduces the risk of getting bogged.
A general guide is between 15-25psi depending on the vehicle and type of tyre, but check the tyre placard or the operating manual for optimum tyre pressure settings according to the load and mass of the car for off-road driving.
At the other end of the driving experience, make sure you have a portable compressor to re-inflate the tyres to the correct pressure for on-road driving.
It’s also best to carry a snatch strap and recovery hooks in the event you need to be towed out if you get bogged, or to help anyone else in a similar situation.
Snatch straps can be dangerous under tension if used incorrectly, so make sure yours is rated for the weight of your vehicle and practice recovery techniques on firm ground if you are inexperienced.
If you are driving on sand dunes, visibility can be reduced due the undulating nature of the environment, and some areas require vehicles to carry a hi-viz, high-mounted flag.
We also recommend carrying a set of traction boards with you. These plastic tracks can be placed under the tyres if you get bogged and, like an upside-down football boot, their spikes provide more traction to get you out of a sticky situation.
You can also use traction boards to dig your car out, but it’s also best to take a small shovel too.
If you can, it’s best to travel in a group or with at least one other four-wheel drive vehicle, particularly in remote coastal areas, to mitigate risk and also make any recovery operation quicker and more manageable. And carry two-way radios or have your mobile phone fully charged.
If you are travelling in extremely isolated areas, a satellite phone and/or personal locator beacon (PLB) are also highly recommended.
Lastly, take a first-aid kit and food and water with you.
Rules and regulations
Beaches and sand dunes are generally fragile ecosystems that constantly change, and driving on them irresponsibly can cause irreversible damage such as erosion and habitat loss for native flora and fauna.
So, be aware of any specific rules and regulations, only use marked access tracks, avoid driving over any vegetation and maintain a respectful distance from any birds and marine life, such as seal colonies and turtle nesting sites.
If you find an injured animal, contact the local wildlife authorities immediately with the precise location.
Many beaches have speed limits – usually between 20-60km/h – and there is a general etiquette to slow down around parked cars, swimmers, walkers, fishers and camping or picnic areas.
Also, like on a normal road, stay to the left against oncoming vehicles and look for places to give way through narrow tracks.
Many beaches are also part of the National Parks system or on native land and require a fee or permit, so check before you go.
Driving on the beach
Now that you’re all set to hit the sand, driving on the beach requires a unique technique.
Firstly, the very nature of soft sand – and lower tyre pressures – means the steering won’t be as immediately responsive and the vehicle will move around underneath you, especially if there’s already a multitude of tyre tracks from other vehicles.
Think of it like skiing: on fresh snow you can make your own path, but if it is already chopped up you’ll be bouncing in and out of other tracks.
Momentum is the key element here, and keeping a constant speed with smooth corrections through the steering will ensure you maintain a consistent path.
With that said, we recommend de-activating the traction control system so the computers don’t cut power from the engine or use the anti-lock brakes to try and keep the car travelling straight.
This can, on one hand, cause the car to lose momentum when you need it, or jerk the vehicle from side to side, and on the other hand cause an overreaction from the driver.
It is much easier for a car to roll over in the sand than it is in many other environments, so any sudden changes of directions can be catastrophic.
When turning or changing direction, slow down gently beforehand and then steer slowly through a wide arc while also maintaining enough speed.
The vehicle will tend to understeer, meaning the front tyres feel as though they are sliding and not reacting to the steering input. But avoid steering more, as the tyres could dig into the sand.
When you’ve navigated the turn, slowly wind off the steering lock and begin accelerating again gently.
Because sand is a rather monotonous environment (especially in the midday sun when there are no shadows), it is more difficult to evaluate changes in terrain than it is in most other situations.
So vision is critical and looking into the distance will provide an early warning for any obstacles or situations you may need to prepare for.
Wearing polarised sunglasses will highlight any graduations in the sand much better, and reduce glare.
Look for any subtle changes in the shadows or colour of the sand, as these may be sharp dips or bumps in the track that can cause serious damage to the vehicle or injury to its occupants if driven over too quickly.
When approaching an incline or dune, prepare to accelerate – and even select a lower gear ratio if necessary – and use enough power to reach the top safely and travel in a straight line.
However, avoid carrying too much speed at the crest and be prepared to stop or change direction as the peak could launch your car into the air, or the descent on other side may be dangerous.
If you don’t make it to the crest of the dune, do not try and turn around as the car could easily roll down the incline. Instead, select reverse, follow your tracks back down and use the brakes to maintain a slow and steady speed.
When you need to stop, if you have the space, lift off the accelerator and the friction will naturally bring the car to a smooth halt. If you need to apply the brakes, do so gently and avoid applying maximum pressure at the end of the stop so the front tyres don’t bury themselves too deep into the sand.
If you can, try and stop in an area on a slight decline as this will make it easier to get going again.
And when you do, you’ll need to use the accelerator liberally to get moving with a little bit of progressive wheelspin. But gassing it too much will simply cause the wheels to just dig themselves into a hole. It’s all about balance.
Avoid driving on the softest sand on the water’s edge. This might look the cleanest, without any other tyre tracks, but it is the easiest place to get bogged.
And do not drive directly in the breaking waves as they can be unpredictable and cause serious damage if water is ingested into the engine.
Obviously, it also pays to check information on tidal and surf conditions, and how they may impact access roads, crossings and any other obstacles.
If the conditions have exposed any rocks or dragged driftwood or other articles onto the beach, slow down and stop to assess if you can safely navigate over or around them before proceeding.
Many beaches feature tidal run-out creeks or water crossings. And while these may seem innocuous and shallow, they can be extremely deceiving and hide fast-flowing water, deep holes or sharp, steep edges.
When approaching a water crossing, stop the vehicle a couple of car lengths from the edge and get out to inspect the situation and find the safest area to navigate. The time it takes could save you thousands in damage.
So that’s our essential guide to driving a four-wheel drive on the beach. It’s a great way to explore new places and enjoy your vehicle.