I ordered my Element from my dealer but it will not be in until March. I live in the Northeast and we just got hammered with a blizzard. I currently drive a Subaru and it is great in the snow. Can anybody relay to me how the Element handled the recent snow? I have purchased the EX 4WD version, and I hope that it doesn't disappoint.

Also, I am travelling this summer to a beach location where there are no roads and 4WD is a necessity. Does anybody have experience driving the Element on sandy beaches?

Thanks to all who reply.

bones,

Well, in the snow it was fine. The Element is not really ment for off road. While the snow was not an issue for us, you might have a problem with driving in sand.

RML,

Thanks for the input. I have literature from Honda and I've seen pictures in many reviews on the Element that show it "frolicking" on the beach.

I realize that it is not meant for serious off roading, but I hope that it does OK on the beach because I'll be in deep trouble. Hopefully somebody has direct experience with driving on sand and can help me out with their own review.

Any time you encounter loose sand, like a beach, or dune, you will need to deflate your tires. I don't know the exact PSI but if memory serves, it's around 20 PSI. You need enough to keep the tire bead on the rim, but you want the tread to spread out. The PSI will vary by rim size and tire, so you may want to do a little research on an off-road site before you attempt beach/dune driving. If it's any consolation I once deflated the tires on a 78 Plymouth Fury wagon, and went dune driving without much trouble :-D. If properly prepaired, the lighter AWD Element should do much better.

Just wanted to share with you how my E came through for me- We had alot of snow here in the NE this past weekend and when I went to work Tues, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to make it up my driveway (over 2ft of snow & ice) because my husband had some trouble in his Dodge Ram in 4WD. Also our neighbors have been parking at the bottom of their driveways. I am proud to report that I made it up! A little slippin & slidin, but I made it! Go E!

I am also a beach person but have not tried it yet. I will be going to Fl soon and will use it there. This is my first non-dedicated 4X4, you can even get those stuck if you try. The tires the EX came with are a little slim but on most beaches I don't think there will be a problem. As stated above, if you start getting stuck you can lower tire pressure, I have gone to 10psi. You will need to hose the bottom carefully as there are a lot of nooks and crannys under there. 8)

Add on. I now have used the AWD in snow. It is certainly not the same as a full time, locking center differential 4X4 but is significantly better than 2WD. Took the snow fairly well with nice control.

Jake,

Let me know how it handles in Fla. on the beach. I'm going to the Outer Banks of NC in July, and the house that I'm staying in is on part of the beach where there is no road.

Also, I've heard that if you deflate your tires, you need special tools to re-inflate them or they won't go back on right? Does anybody know about this?

you dont let all the air out or else the tire will break the bead from the rim. you lower the air pressure. im not sure what pressure to go to probably around 10 ,15lbs. any help out there?

Soon as I hit the beach I will let you all know. As far as letting air out look at the tire as you let it out. You want to increase the footprint. On my old off road tires I would go to 10psi in really bad stuff. Not sure if these tires can handle 10 so just watch it as you blead air off. ONE IMPORTANT NOTE: With low pressure your car will handle very poorly on the road. As soon as you leave the beach put air back in and drive slowly until you do get air in. By slow I mean around 30 or so, less if you can manage it. Also, I don't let any air out unless I am having a hard time, then I let out what is necessary. A low tire will flex a lot more than a full one and can generate more heat. Have fun. Jake

After being hit with another snow storm, and getting a chance to test out the new "unit", I was extremely pleased. She handled great!

My element had no trouble going onto the beach. I live on nantucket Island were you can buy a beach permit to drive onto the beach. The sand is pretty deep in places and the E did well. The only things that it lacks is ground clearance. It is going to be a funv summer. I will post a picture as soon as the weather turns. All though this is a small Island of the coast of Cape Cod there are already 5 elements.

I've visited Nantucket several years ago on vacation in the area - great place to visit! Sounds like you have the highest concentration of Elements per square mile than any other place! I have only seen 4 on the road around here since January!

[quote:3adf329478="ACK-E"]My element had no trouble going onto the beach. I live on nantucket Island were you can buy a beach permit to drive onto the beach. The sand is pretty deep in places and the E did well. The only things that it lacks is ground clearance. It is going to be a funv summer. I will post a picture as soon as the weather turns. All though this is a small Island of the coast of Cape Cod there are already 5 elements.[/quote:3adf329478]

I hope you can make it to the new englant meet next weekend ACK-E!

Has anyone taken their element on the beach yet?
One of my favorite destinations is the Outer Banks, NC where you can drive for miles on the beach. Can't wait to see how my Element does. Anyone?

Outer Banks is like Daytona, if I'm not mistaken. Hard packed sand where all types of vehicles travel. If this is the case, the E will do fine. However, if the sand is loose you will need to deflate your tires by about 15-20psi. I have seen owner's pictures of the E on the beach, so it must do fairly well.

How do you like Baltimore? My wife and I are moving there this summer, but have never been to the city. Can you recommend a hip section of the city to look for a house? We're looking for an area without chain stores, but with a healthy nightlife, and a good variety of food/wine/art...etc.

I drove my 4wd on the sand with no problem what-so-ever! It wasn't really deep or anything however. Very fun!! 8)

We live on an island and one of the hoped for uses is to drive on the beach. Our sand is on the soft side. Will the Element work in such conditions? Foley

I just came back from the Outer Banks. My Element did not come in until after I got back from vacation but while I was there I made some mental notes on areas that the Element could safely go offroad without the embarrassment of asking some local fisherman to pull me out of the sand.
I have done extensive offroading there in the past with my Isuzu Trooper because I enjoy surf fishing. On this last trip as I was walking the beach I checked out ramps that led to the beach as well as areas that the sand didn't appear very deep at all. The point of course is the place one can get into real trouble. I used to have my chassis dragging even in the Trooper in some places. You have to use common sense where you go because as we all know the Element is not really meant for serious off-roading. But you definitely can get your wheels in the sand if you know where to go and stay out of trouble. I have found some decent spots and can't wait to give it a try maybe in the fall.

LittleDogBox
Arlington, Va.

Over Memorial Day Weekend I took our new Element out onto the beach at Marthas Vineyard. The sand is pretty deep and the undercarriage did drag quite a bit. In the end we had to have the park range drag us out of a really soft area. A few comments/suggestions:

1. You really do need to get the air pressure down in the tires. I started out at 15 psi but in the end took the air pressure down to 12 psi to get better "floatation" on the sand.

2. The ground clearance on the Element is a problem. Any advice or kits available that would raise the Element one or two inches?

3. Any experience with larger tires on the Element? Is there room in the wheel wells for larger tires?

The engine seemed plenty strong to power the Element through the sand. I just don't think it is good practice to have the undercarriage in the sand all of the time you are on the beach.

Thanks for any help, SHFuller.

Anybody,

I am leaving soon for the Outer Banks. Our house is North of Corolla where you MUST drive on the beach to get there. There is no road. The closer I get to vacation, the more worried I am about the Element getting stuck in the sand.

Anybody have any experience in this area with the Element?

Thanks.

I was just down to the south end of the OBX at Nags Head and saw some open beaches for driving. The signs posted said deflate tires to 20psi. I was in my CRV at the time before I picked up my element. I did not try it. I have driven my old CRV on sandy beaches though. Worked ok but you had to rev the engine to keep good speed up. The element has the same driveline setup so I suspect you would be ok provided you watch your ground clearance - the CRV has more. Maybe give it a test run first.

Paddle tires! :lol:

http://powerproracingproducts.com/images/00008.jpg

I have the same concerns. I live in NC and go to the Outer Banks at least once or twice per year. I know the Element will not be as sure footed as my true 4WD truck but I think it will do ok from what people have told me who take CRVs out there. I would caution you to have a shovel with you and maybe a couple of boards also. That way, you can most likely dig your way out if you happen to get stuck.

A REQUEST: When you return from your trip, would you please post your experiences here. I will be going down in September and would really like to learn from your experiences.

Thanks to everybody who has replied thus far. I won't be leaving until Friday, so please keep the comments coming. I've been checking out websites on beach driving and I've already bought or packed all of the items I hope not to use (shovel, 14ft. tow rope, boards, jack, etc.).

I will not only let everybody know how it goes, but I believe that my brother in law has a digital camera, (I don't. I'm sooo analog). I will try to post some pics.

Thanks again.

I am here at the beach house and I was very disappointed with the E in the sand although as everybody knows I had my reservations. It was great on the drive down here. On the way down I saw Elements of every color except black and picked up some "chatter" on the radio about my E.

However, when I got to the beach with my E full of a weeks worth of groceries in the 95 degree heat, we made it about 30 feet. Stuck with the wheels spinning hopelessly. Actually, my friend in his Ford Explorer told me that my back wheels never engaged despite my front wheels spinning. This is somewhat perplexing.

The Ford Explorer had to drive the several miles to the house with his family and all of the perishable groceries, drive all the way back to pick us up and all of our gear and we had to beg somebody to allow us to leave our E all week back in town. Even if we would have been able to make it to the harder packed sand, we would have been able to get close to our vacation house, but we still would never have been able to cross through the deep soft sand to actually drive the length of sand to the house from the beach with the E.

A policeman who saw us stuck in the sand said, "Oh, one of these. I saw another one of these stuck last week." The nice man who towed our E back to the road put it best, "The Honda, was definitely out of its Element."

Man that is disappointing. :(

I was hoping for some favorable review on outer banks sand but I guess not. The rear wheels not engaging is something that I was afraid of.

bones: Very disappointing. Now I am wondering if it is a problem with all Es or just a problem with yours since it appears your back wheels didn't engage. Can't understand why that would happen if the front ones are spinning. I have spent a lot of times on the Outer Banks in sand with a 4WD truck. Never had to put it in the 4WD Low. Always ran it in 4WD High, which should be the same as the E if all 4 wheels are engaged. I don't see how the Honda 4WD mechanism can tall a difference between spinning on sand and spinning on ice?

Can someone (a dealer perhaps) help us with this delima?

What kind of plastic are those paddle tires made out of? :lol:

I found this link to a CR-V based forum about whether or not it really is "4 wheel drive":

http://www.gocrvclub.org/showthread.php?threadid=575&highlight=sand

Since the Element has pretty much the same 4wd system as the CR-V, it makes me wonder if it's the system.

I was hoping for a good report on Outer Banks sand driving, but it doesn't look like there is going to be one. My opinion of the E has shifted somewhat because of this report. It looks like if I want to do some sand driving I'm going to have to buy a second vehicle like a Wrangler or something.

I've come to realize by reading this report that the Element is nothing more than a "soft-roader", that label of shame in the off-road world. It would be nice to be able to drive on sand once in a while but it definitely is not part of my everyday driving experience. Even though my opinion has shifted somewhat, this is still the best vehicle I've owned, and look forward to a long and happy relationship with my Element, provided my dealer can fix the problems that have cropped up since I've bought it during my next oil change.

I was at the outer banks recently, at Oregon Inlet where there's a regularly used access to the beach. The sand is soft and even with deflated tires, most vehicles, including Wranglers, Cherokees, Explorers etc were getting well stuck. In fact it's such a common problem that a few locals with 'real' 4WD trucks hang around there to help extract people (for a fee of course).

Partly it's an issue of such things as tire pressure and ground clearance, also driving technique, but I would be pretty sure that the Element would not cope with this sort of use at all well. I'm puzzled by Bone's lack of rear-wheel drive though, because I saw a CR-V stuck and it's rears were spinning with the fronts - to no effect.

I don't personally regard the lack of suitability for this kind of work at all disapointing since I didn't really think the Element was capable of much more than 'soft road' use, but there's no doubt that soft sand on beaches and beach access routes is a very demanding surface that provides a rigorous test for man and machine - and that's not to imply any critical appraisal of Bone's sand driving skills, just that I think the E is so far out of it's depth in the sort of conditions observed at Oregon Inlet that I doubt the most expert of sand drivers could have got one onto the beach!

I just returned from the Wilmington,NC area an hour ago.I have driven through some very deep sand before both in Hatteras and FL.My girlfriend wanted me to try thre E out in the sand of Kure Beach yesterday so I did,here's what I found.
It drove great in deep deep sand except for the chasis dragging.I have done it a million times before so I do have experience,which is very important in sand.I made my point(about 200 yards)and stopped,of course I sank.My front end axle was buried.I easily pulled it out in reverse and followed out in reverse as well.
So although sand can be had at a deep level,you just shouldn't rub it all up on your bottom,it's hard on your ride.I took it down a more firm sand path no prob and to the beach as well no probs.Yet I would only go back in deep sand out of necessity.And lot's of fresh water to rinse it off immediatly after.

I just got back and am reading everybody's reply.

I did a ton of research on sand driving prior to my trip and did everything "by the book". It is also true that I saw everything from Jeeps to Blazers to Explorers stuck and in need of a tow. That being said, having owned two Subaru Foresters prior to my owning the E, is was very disappointing to see both Foresters and Outbacks moving seemingly effortlessly about the beach all week long.

My biggest disappointment was with how easily the E got stuck and how helpless it was to get out of its predicament. I tried backing out and this is when we realized that the back wheels weren't engaging. I tried "rocking" the E, but it started digging in deeper and I didn't want to bury it to its axles. I deflated the tires even more once stuck and this didn't help. I dug out the wheels and this didn't help.

Believe me, nobody is more disappointed than I with the E's dismal showing. I was looking forward to this adventure for months with the E. I wish I had better news for all of you.

My advice after getting stuck with the E, driving rather easily with the Explorer and watching everybody else would be to not try soft sand unless you have a tow rope and are confident that somebody will help you. Sorry guys.

If at anytime your salesman said the Element was an off-road vehicle, you should go kick him in the crotch. The "Realtime AWD" feature is a little more than some traction control.

Umm, after getting my '98 Wrangler stuck on soft-sand once, I wouldn't even CONSIDER taking my E on the beach. Just seems obvious that it wouldn't work, AWD or not.

[quote:dad8d126fa="bones"]I just got back and am reading everybody's reply.

I did a ton of research on sand driving prior to my trip and did everything "by the book". It is also true that I saw everything from Jeeps to Blazers to Explorers stuck and in need of a tow. That being said, having owned two Subaru Foresters prior to my owning the E, is was very disappointing to see both Foresters and Outbacks moving seemingly effortlessly about the beach all week long.

My biggest disappointment was with how easily the E got stuck and how helpless it was to get out of its predicament. I tried backing out and this is when we realized that the back wheels weren't engaging. I tried "rocking" the E, but it started digging in deeper and I didn't want to bury it to its axles. I deflated the tires even more once stuck and this didn't help. I dug out the wheels and this didn't help.

If you had to do it over again and know what you know now about the Elements performance at the beach would you have still wanted to buy it
or do you wish you perhaps had considered some other vehicle?

LittleDogBox
Arlington, Va.

Believe me, nobody is more disappointed than I with the E's dismal showing. I was looking forward to this adventure for months with the E. I wish I had better news for all of you.

My advice after getting stuck with the E, driving rather easily with the Explorer and watching everybody else would be to not try soft sand unless you have a tow rope and are confident that somebody will help you. Sorry guys.[/quote:dad8d126fa]

I know that you were asking Bones if he'd buy the E again knowing what he knows now, but ... FWIW, I definately would buy the E again!

My Element runs fine in the sand except for the low chasis.I'm sorry you got stuck Bones.I grew up on an Island and have been surfing for over 22 years so mabye I 've got sand in my blood.I'm not saying it is an offroad sand munching machine.But I've tested it myself and I deem it worthy.At least until you eventually get to terra firma.I would never drive this vehicle across a dessert.
**EDiT** I also have a 5 speed manual instead of an automatic.Very key to sand driving.

Where were all of you cynics when I asked about this before I went? I would have rented a true 4X4 had I gotten all of these warnings.

Anyway, I would really like to chalk it up to my not being a veteran beach driver. It would be easier for me to swallow if I didn't take the Explorer out on the beach and drive with no problems whatsoever.

Would I buy the E now? I love everything else about it. I have 14,000 miles on it in four months and I've hauled everything that I've needed to inside of the E. I've gone camping and slept in the E. The camping experience involved what some are calling "soft roading". It did fine there. My true test is going to be snow driving. This is why I purchase cars with AWD. I drive in really desolate areas in the winter where I need to be able to drive through a foot of snow with ease.

If this vehicle will not go in snow, it's gone. This was the first time I've ever attempted to drive on the beach, so for this .001% of my driving that I do, I'm not too concerned about it. I was merely disappointed.

bartender76: Why is 5 speed important for sand? I have driven both and I don't see a whole lot of difference. For example, I can put the E in 1st or 2nd gear and that is mostly what I would use in soft sand. What really makes the difference is to have a true manual 4WD where you can put it in 4WD Low speed. Then you can go in just about anything. Don't mean to be disagreeing with you because you obviously have more experience than I but I am just trying to understand.

Manual Transmission will allow you to stay in a lower gear longer,thus more torque.Just like 4 low, more torque.Automatics will shift to a higher gear at the wrong times(ie when your axle starts to get buried)and cause you to sink.

Any additional tips for sand driving with a 5spd AWD, bartender? I will be heading to the OBX in Sept also.

I've read alot of posts about people complaining about the 4WD. So I'm just wondering if anyone has driven on the beach yet and how it handled? I live at the Jersey Shore and we go to a park where you can drive your 4x4 on the beach. But we have always had a truck that you manually put the 4 wheel drive on.
Just looking for anyone with sand experience with their E to give me some info. :?:

[quote:31dc3b46b3="Berniesgirl"]I've read alot of posts about people complaining about the 4WD. So I'm just wondering if anyone has driven on the beach yet and how it handled? I live at the Jersey Shore and we go to a park where you can drive your 4x4 on the beach. But we have always had a truck that you manually put the 4 wheel drive on.
Just looking for anyone with sand experience with their E to give me some info. :?:[/quote:31dc3b46b3]

From what I have read it doesn't look good. I would be afraid to try it after hearing about some Elements getting stuck relativey easy in sand. The good news is that it sounds like it does great in the snow. Go figure. It is a different system than I am used to, not a true 4 wheel drive. I am sure others here can explain it because I sure can't.

LittleDogBox
Arlington, Va.

I haven't taken my E on the beach, that's what I kept the Monster (91 Ramcharger) for.

But if you do, bring a few things. At least a fire extinguisher, a cell phone, a small shovel, and an air compressor. Air your tires down to about 10 lbs before hitting the sand. If you really want to be prepared, get the phone number of a towing service that will go on the beach, and the time of the next high tide.

We took a drive this past weekend over to the Oregon Coast and I was going to go out on the beach with my Element, but I just couldn't bring myself to doing it. I am use to going out there in the Durango we had, but the E sits much lower and I did not want to risk getting stuck.

Now I'm really bummed out. I've gotten excited out buying a Element in the next year or two but I guess it's out now. I've just got to go fishing on the Outer Banks and must be able to drive around on the sand, soft or hard. I don't want to have to "gun it" through the soft sand to get to the packed sand near the water.

Thanks for the info before I went and bought one.

Paul
:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

[quote:cc2961672b="Outback Paul"]Now I'm really bummed out. I've gotten excited out buying a Element in the next year or two but I guess it's out now. I've just got to go fishing on the Outer Banks and must be able to drive around on the sand, soft or hard. I don't want to have to "gun it" through the soft sand to get to the packed sand near the water.

Thanks for the info before I went and bought one.

Paul
:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:[/quote:cc2961672b]

I still have my 13 year old Jeep Wrangler, if you can get a second clunker just for fun that is a 4X4 that may be the answer for getting some time in the sand. If not then maybe plan on renting a 4X4 just for the Outer Banks trip. That way you won't be tearing up your own vehicle and still get to drive on the beach. I am headed down there in October and do not plan on taking the E. I am going to leave her home and rent a big SUV to carry 3 dogs and all our stuff ( We found a car rental place that has awesome deals). The beach will kill your vehicle eventually.......I had an Isuzu Trooper and I didn't do it any favors by taking it on the beach, (always had something going wrong with it). I only go 4 wheeling once or twice a year anyway so a rented vehicle or having my friend follow me down in the Jeep Wrangler is a good alternative to messing up my Element which is my primary vehicle that gets me to work safely everyday and carrys my precious pups around town.

LittleDogBox
Arlington, Va.

I think that's what I'm leaning toward eventually, the used Wrangler, for my OBX journeys. It'll be a little while for that, though. It's funny, the last time I was down at Oregon Inlet I saw all sorts of luxury SUVs like the Mercedes M-Class and a Lexus LX470 out there. I kept thinking, "why would you bring those things out in the salt water?" It would have been nice to have a vehicle like the Element out on the beach with the "tailgating" aspect of the vehicle, though. It seems that other beaches with harder packed sand like S. Padre Island, TX and some west coast beaches are better suited for that.

Here's a post from someone with a Element who had no problems on the beach at Hatteras:

http://www.vtec.net/forums/one-message?message%5fid=117217

Hello people! Who said the E was an off roader? If you want to plow through deep sand and water, buy an SUV. The E is not and I bet any Honda dealer will tell you that.

Call me crazy, but the point I got is that these folks really want the E, not a SUV.

I live in Florida and surf often at the beach. I have had many days of driving in the sand on near the inlet with no problems.

On one particular day their were 4 other four wheel drive trucks stuck in the sand in a deep spot - My passenger waved as we drove on by with not so much as a wheel spin - He also mentioned to them that they, "should have bought an Element". :wink:

Look at the thread that Sheniferous put up in the image gallery. He went driving on the dunes in cali. Had a little trouble, but nothing big...

Woo hoo this baby handles sand 8) 8) 8)

sweetness today as I crawled past a jeep stuck in the sand at Sands hehehe,, even offered to "TOW" them out but they got it without help

8) :D :shock: :roll: :twisted:

Yo Dive!

Did you do anything to your E to prepare for the trip in the E? I remember that Shen once took his E out onto the beach somewhere and deflated his tires a bit before he ventured onto the sand (although, if my memory serves me correct, he ended up stuck and had friendly ATVers push him out)

only thing I did was turn down the sterio 8)

seriously didn't do anything and if i had gone where the jeep was stuck i'm sure i would have been too, but being a former jeep owner it just felt good saying that :twisted:

letting air out will definetly help in the sand but to answer your ? no I did not, was just driving past the beach (Sandys) and decided "hell lets give her a try" I turned the side mirrors down to see the back tires and barely got them to spin as the "E" just motored thru the sand

only other vehicle i've had that was this good in sand was a dune buggy with boggers and a full race eng/tranny

next time i'm bringing a shovel and "I will get stuck" hehe :shock: 8) :wink:

I have taken my E through snow and it rocks! But, I am taking down to Ocrakoke Island in May and down their you have to have a 4x4 to go out to the beaches. Has anyone taken their E's through sand? Maybe someone on the west coast. I mean i JUST DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL MAKE IT THROUGH 1-2FEET OF LOOSE SAND. Also with the engine exposed?

Lack of ground clearance could be a real problem. If the sand is deep and soft enough, it starts supporting the underside of the car, including the lower suspension arms. Without weight on the them the wheels loose traction, and you get stuck.

paulj

i took my E to pismo and it performed great on the beach and dunes... go to the image gallery and search for my post "The E in Pismo"

Check the 4wd forum, too.

Very helpful... the only thing I am wishing is that I bought a 5-speed! Well I think I am going to take it and give it a shot. I have driven on the beaches for the last 3 years with a Jeep Cherokee (not as easy as it sounds) but i need to find my E's limits!

I grew up in Alabama along the gulf coast. The sand there is not drivable by anything, except if you stayed near the water where there is some moisture in the sand. Watch the locals, if they are not driving on the sand I would say stay off it. If you still feel like giving it a try, walk walk on it first, if you sink a couple inches the E has no chance. And if you still feel brave, drive smooth and don't take anyone with you who is inclined to say "i told you so". makes getting unstuck much harder.

Spent a couple years in Fort Walton Beach riding motorcyles on the many miles of dirt roads that was part of Eglin AFB. Spent many hours getting a good laugh at the 4x4 clubs that would show up and then spend the day trying get each other unstuck! The roads were mainly hard clay, but anywhere there was a low spot a deep, fine sand would build but. Even on a dirt bike it required getting you weight back and the power on to get through it.

Ok if you are stuck, reduce the air in the tire, reduce not empty, to get a wider foot print, don't spin the tire, but gentle rock back and forth to get up the hill, if you get out, don't slow down, keep moving! If rocking does not get you out, start digging out ramps for all wheels.

If you get a tow, make sure the pull is in the direction the wheels want to roll, any sideways pulling can do great damage, even if it is only a few degrees off track. Only connect the pull chain / rope / strap to the correct locations on the frame. No axles, buppers etc. and that when under tension the chain does not touch any body parts.

A last tip, people seem to like to stand near the car when someone is trying to pull a car out from being stuck. Get everyone way away from the vehicles. If the chain / rope / strap breaks under stress it can be very lethal.
I spent some time doing seach and rescue in Galveston bay near Houston. Did alot of pulling boats off sand bars, it was always an argument to get folks to go below deck during the pull. They did not understand that the tension on the long ropes was an accident waiting to happen. I always won the arguement, because the other option was we would leave them there.

Driving on the beach is fun... but so is walking...

Can't wait to take my BluE Rascal in the sand!

I'm considering buying an Element, however, my biggest concern is sand performance. Anybody taken theirs on the beach yet? How is the clearance, etc?

Lots of people have had meets at Pismo Beach here in Central Ca and had driven on the beach with no problem, unless they got into some really deep stuff that would have given anyone a prob.

Ger

i JUST GOT BACK FROM THE OUTER BANKS AND IT ROCKED!!!!!!!!! I WAS THE ONLY VEHICLE OUT THERE THAT WAS NOT A GOOD OLD 4X4. The element kicked a#@! I do remind everyone that It would not kick you no what if i stopped and tried to start in really soft sand but, i was impressed! the element wins again!!!!!!!!! whoooooaaaaaaaaaa!

did you have to let air out of tires and all that, or just drive out to the sandy bank?

In Port Aransas, Texas the sand is very packed so you can drive on it with just about any type of car. I saw a Corvette down there once. However, at certain parts, the sand becomes very loose and dry, and that is the stuff you need to look out for.

Always stick behind another vehicle, and keep your momentum up. I almost got my Explorer stuck, but I never slowed down. Slowing down = Pushing time.

Someone brought an Accord coupe down there (Why?!) and it sat there spinning for 30 seconds before it finally managed to get itself out. Front-wheel drive in general is a bad idea for the beach. It's good to have the rear tires pushing, and the front wheels steering. *shrugs* Just watch the other cars. Usually on a beach, if you get stuck, people will stop to help you out.

Then again, I do live in Texas... :wink:

That's sweet! I can't believe the E handled sand, specially at Sandy's laddat. One night, I was down Yok's and really wanted to try, but, hell, local girl, get stuck in the sand, I'd neva hear the end of it ya know. Can't recall if Sandy's sand is as supah soft like Yok's, but one day, when I feel brave, maybe I try. Thanks for the story!

Aloha,
H~

aloha helanz
da sand @ sandys is pretty soft la dat I guess about da same as yok's, what you live westside la dat? I work ova dea but live in hawaii kai

da only prob in da sand is low clearance, i wen go bottom out planny but da buggah wen keep going an nevah even spin da back wheelz
:shock: 8)

[quote:606dbd6792=" "]Yo Dive!

Did you do anything to your E to prepare for the trip in the E? I remember that Shen once took his E out onto the beach somewhere and deflated his tires a bit before he ventured onto the sand (although, if my memory serves me correct, he ended up stuck and had friendly ATVers push him out)[/quote:606dbd6792]

hey hey! it didn't get stuck because of the E! it got stuck because of my incompetance! prior to that adventure i've never 4 wheeled! plus, i stopped on the edge of the ridge when i should've kept going! the E coulda handled it if i didn't stop!

Sup Dive Hawaii,

Yup, I'm from Waianae, born & raised, but moved to Mililani a few years ago, cos that heat is just too frikkin much! haha! Still go to Yok's for the awesome view of the island stars though. Maybe one day, I try brave da sand with my Lelament.

Spahk u latah,
Helanz~

[quote:6883c5e6b3="Dive Hawaii"]aloha helanz
da sand @ sandys is pretty soft la dat I guess about da same as yok's, what you live westside la dat? I work ova dea but live in hawaii kai

da only prob in da sand is low clearance, i wen go bottom out planny but da buggah wen keep going an nevah even spin da back wheelz
:shock: 8)[/quote:6883c5e6b3]

What?! :?

that bad eh? hahaha

[quote:237aa58c03=" "][quote:237aa58c03="Dive Hawaii"]aloha helanz
da sand @ sandys is pretty soft la dat I guess about da same as yok's, what you live westside la dat? I work ova dea but live in hawaii kai

da only prob in da sand is low clearance, i wen go bottom out planny but da buggah wen keep going an nevah even spin da back wheelz
:shock: 8)[/quote:237aa58c03]

What?! :?[/quote:237aa58c03]

I'll translate for our Georgia friend:

Hello Helanz,

The sand particles at Sandys (Sandy Beach-a popular bodysurfing spot on the east side of Oahu) is about the same phi size and texture as the sand particles at Yoks (Yokohama Beach-another popular beach, but at the direct opposite end of the island of Oahu). Is your place of residence on the leeward coast of Oahu? My place of employment is in that vicinity, but my place of cohabitation is in Hawaii Kai (the south-east coast of Oahu).

The only difficulty I had faced is the low clearance of the Element, and I had bottomed-out a few times, but the Element still performed, without the back wheels spinning.
:shock: :cool:

:mrgreen: HAHaHahAHHaAHHAH!!!! :mrgreen:

LOL! Well put indeed Hawaiian E, aka Pigeon Translator! From where about do you cohabitate... ladat? haha Couldn't resist.

Aloha,
Helanz~

From Kapahulu, to Kaneohe, lived in Hilo for couple years, then to Kailua (my E's first home) and now in Aiea/Halawa area.

bwahahaha
i wan my fish and a poi, i'm a big boy, pipi kaula lomi salmon extra laaaage lilikoi :twisted: 8) :shock: :roll:

tank 4 da tranzlasion hawaiian, i no can speak pidgin @ work so dis ish my only outlet 8)

does anyone know if Elements can be driven on beach sand? has anyone driven them on the beach yet?

[quote:9046e81097=" "]does anyone know if Elements can be driven on beach sand? has anyone driven them on the beach yet?[/quote:9046e81097]

You bet! Check out this thread of Shen's from Pismo Beach.

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4192&highlight=pismo+beach

I was also at Pismo Beach on Christmas Day, just for an overnight stop during my drive up Pacific Coast Highway. Since there were so few people there on that day, I didn't get as brave as Shen did in the dunes and stuff (not many people around to help me if I did get stuck....). But I did wander into some of the softer sand, just to try out my AWD, and the AWD did great and it was a blast!

thanx for the pix n the info. theyre great. we r new owners n were wonderin bout the capabilities of it, but u proved that theyre limitless. lol. thanx.

Hey gumbylax32 - Welcome! :)

Like the screen name by the way, but I'm curious (and frightened) what your Avatar picture might be! ;)

Hope to see ya around in here.

LEGO

I forget where I read the post, but someone drove their E on sand and the AWD overheated after a while and stopped working. If this happens, just stop and let it cool down (this is also stated in the manual). Wish there was some sand close by so I could try it out (Fort Wayne, Indiana . . . nice flat land for hundreds of miles).

I've heard that when you are in soft sand, one should deflate their tire for better contact. Does anyone know if this is true, and if so, what is the suggested PSI:?:

Thanks
:D

Fourwheeling articles do talk of reducing pressure, not just on sand but also mud and rocks. It can help tires wrap around rocks and get better grip, and it can give a larger (usually longer) contact patch, and hence some floatation on sand. It is not an exact science, so there is no 'one' target pressure.

This article
http://www.fourwheeler.com/techarticles/62758/
talks of going as low as 10 psi. There are problems with going low, some of which you might have encountered on a bike as a kid - pinched sidewalls, bead coming loose, etc. And then there is the question of getting back up to highway pressures once you are done playing.

http://www.bb4wa.com/articles/Safety.htm
says 20psi is usually enough.

I don't recall anyone talking about their experiences with airing down in their Element - but you could scan the 'off road' section. I haven't tried it yet, in part because I haven't tried soft sand, and also because I haven't invested in a $100+ air compressor.

paulj

paulj,

Thank you for all the info. I just happen to have a compressor from my trip to SoCal., so inflating the tires should not be a problem.

Great!
Thanks again

Correction - Sheniferous talks of going down to 15 psi at Pismo.

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4192&highlight=pismo+beach

I've tried beach driving twice.

Not a good experience. Needed to "air-out" to 11 psi to get going.

Looking for any info on wheels/tires to make beach driving better.

Out on the East end of LI the sand is deep and soft.

Any info would be appreciated.

john g

[quote:132e793bee=" "][quote:132e793bee=" "]does anyone know if Elements can be driven on beach sand? has anyone driven them on the beach yet?[/quote:132e793bee]

You bet! Check out this thread of Shen's from Pismo Beach.

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4192&highlight=pismo+beach

I was also at Pismo Beach on Christmas Day, just for an overnight stop during my drive up Pacific Coast Highway. Since there were so few people there on that day, I didn't get as brave as Shen did in the dunes and stuff (not many people around to help me if I did get stuck....). But I did wander into some of the softer sand, just to try out my AWD, and the AWD did great and it was a blast![/quote:132e793bee]

There have been a lot of threads lately about alternative tire sizes. I don't recall, though, many testimonials about how a new size or model of tire helped someone get stuck in deeper sand.

Regarding the question of whether a larger tire should favor width over profile, there seems to be two schools of thought. The American school argues for maximum width; an European line of thinking favors higher profile, arguing that this allows of greater increase in contact patch as you air down. That may be a moot point with the Element, since the two largest sizes that you can fit, without changing offset and wheels, are 235/70/16 and 225/75/16. 205/80/16 might also work but there isn't much selection in this size (at least in the USA).

When you had to air down in soft sand, was the belly of the car dragging? What parts? Did airing down seem to increase floatation or traction, or both?

paulj

u guys wanna have funn 4x4 ing then go to this link
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=10911

[quote:c75b319d83=" "]u guys wanna have funn 4x4 ing then go to this link
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=10911[/quote:c75b319d83]

Nothing was dragging but, close.
An experienced beach driver, who was trying to pull me out with his Land Rover without any luck, said I "floated out beautifully after I "aired-down".

Thanks for your interest. Hope you can offer a suggestion.

John g

Hi,

Does anyone know how the Element performs in deep sand? I was thinking of getting one (the Element), but since I go fishing a lot, I'd like to know if the Element can handle the deep sands in Cambells or Sandy Beach areas.

Thanks!

Kane

The Element is not good for deep sand; ground clearance is limited. In addition you can't increase stock tire width by much in an attempt to get more floatation. Of course, reducing tire pressure when on the sand does help.

A search on 'pismo' may be the most productive way of finding other sand driving posts. This is a drivable beach in So Calif.

paulj

Thanks. Aside from ground clearance, do you know if the 4WD feature is capable of driving in deep sand?

I used to own the Isuzu Trooper, it's a 4x4, and I'd still get stuck in sand usually when parked on sand or on an bad incline. I also own a Hi-Lift jack, which helps in lifting the truck up when I bury myself in sand.

I guess my question is that if the 4WD feature is comparable to a 4x4 feature, and if the Element can easily accomodate (use) a Hi-Lift jack.

Kane

There's a 'recovery gear' thread in the off-road section. I think the conclusion last spring was that it might be possible to use a hi-lift jack with the new wheel-hooks attachment. It certainly can't be used anywhere on the body or bumpers. While I do own such a jack (from my pickup days) I don't own this attachment. I did cut a couple of pieces of wood which might serve as a base with the stock jack, in a pinch. The base of the stock jack is about the same size as the hi-lift base.

There are also some threads about the Element's RT4WD system. When the front wheels slip, variable amounts of power are sent to the rear wheels until both axles are spinning alike. There is also a thermal cutout, if the system is needed for too long, and an overpressure spring to protect the rear axle from too much torque.

I've seen a number of 'why didn't my awd system work' posts (here and for the CRV). Many are not clear as to whether they observed wheel spin in the rear (it has open differentials). It may also be that people are gunning it - causing the over-pressure spring to act. My guess is that this AWD is best for applying gentle traction in slippery situations. Whether the rear wheels will be able to help when the front ones have dug in is debatable.

You best recovery tool on a beach, other than a buddy, may be a come-along plus a sand anchor (e.g. a pullpal).

paulj

I could have sworn that I saw an Element out at Irmas a couple of weeks ago. I dont think I ever took my E out there. There is a post of Shen in so cal driving on the dunes. He got stuck but it wasn't too bad.

If you know what you're doing and how to get out, i'd think you'd be okay. The E isn't built like a Jeep, but she go.

Hey thanks everyone.... I think I'll have my next fish-mobile set for the Element!

Alohas!
Kane

here.... my thread from pismo beach:

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3920&highlight=pismo

I wen go bus up sandys all da time la dat hehe

Wouldn't try it w/low profile tires (35's) & a lowered E (Eibac) like mine! No like get stuck in da kine! Aloha.

Just wondering how the E would do on the beach. I know the AWD would help but not as good as 4WD. I would be taking mine out on the beach near Daytona beach - just wanted to know if anyone has any experience with that.

AWD is the same as 4WD......unless your talking low range. The element does fine on the beach. I am on the beach often with mine....and the sand is much less compacted here than Daytona. Don't be skeered

I took my 2000 Honda Civic on the beach in Daytona....and loved it....it was GREAT FUN!

I look forward to taking my Element some day.

http://elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3920

a thread from my E at pismo beach.

Most beach driving in Washington state is on firm damp sand, so AWD isn't needed unless you stray too close to the dunes.

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showpost.php?p=124104&postcount=19

Well, I just bought an E yesterday and this is my first post. I wish I would have found this sight a little earlier. Anyway, I have always owned a traditional 4wd vehicle to do some beach activities. Generally the sand I go through is not terribly deep but sometimes, it can get a little hairy. I was just wondering how well this AWD system handles deep sand???

TIA,
John

half way down the list of off-roading threads is this one about beach driving:
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13127

I had mine on some fairly soft sand of Nags Head while driving along and parking about 50' from the water. By soft sand I mean while walking across it your feet would sink to the point of the sand covering the tops of them. It wasn't the hard packed surface closer to the waters edge. Once airing the tires down to about 15psi the Element did just fine. I wouldn't call it a "beach vehicle" but it did get me on and off the actual beach. If you're serious about beach driving and do a good bit of it then the Element may be a weaker choice. It could probably handle reasonable sand but it wouldn't compare to more capable true 4WD vehicles.

http://img328.imageshack.us/img328/9306/beach10ji.jpg

It will get hairy on sand no matter what kind of 4WD system you have if you don't let the air out of the tires.

i also feel like if anything is dragging you down it'll be the ground clearence and the suspension system

Thanks for the replies, guys. I reckon I'll get out the and give it a test drive in the sand. The Pathfinder never wavered and I really didn't need to watch where I was going. I guess in this vehicle, I am gonna have to pick my path a little more carefully.

Like I had said in other posts, I bought this vehicle to replace a Pathfinder. My biggest concern was how it would do in sand. I frequent a beach where I surf that can be challenging for 2wd vehicles and mostly no problem for 4wd ones. I had the luxury of being with many capable 4wd vehicles so I sought out some deep spots. I have no doubt the Element's AWD system will pull you thru the sand. It did for me no problem. The ground clearance is an issue. I could hear the sand hitting the floor under me but it was never deep enough to high center me. Please realize this sand is tidal...meaning it has some moisture to it. It is not like sand in an hourglass. Anyway, the whole reason I have owned a 4wd vehicle for the past 15 years is because of this beach. And I think the Element will do fine there. There are more treacherous places further down the beach that we go on occassion but did not go this time. Something tells me the AWD system will check out on me if I go out that way. Nothing really major but it is a continuous slog. I'll keep ya posted.

Thanks for the info, it's all very good to know.

i've gotten the e way stuck in sand.

i had to reverse and use my floor mats and sticks to reverse (x3) to get out!

the the rear wheels would not engage. i figured that this is because the front wheels aren't reallly spinning, one faster than the other, so the rear doesn't knwo to engage. anyone else have an opinion? i did have the stock crapo tires at the time though.

As long as one front wheel is spinning, the rear ones should get power. However if one rear wheel also spins, you won't get anywhere. So to fully diagnose AWD problems it would desirable to have observers on both sides of the car.

paulj

Last year I took my 5spd manual E to the Outer Banks in NC and I was impressed. I bought it the day before my trip. I traded in a 4.0 Jeep Wrangler and so I was sceptical to take it out on the beach because of the ground clearance. But I shifted to second gear and just kept the E moving through rather deep soft sand and it did awesome. I'll admit I had to scope out my best path because of the ground clearance but it never got stuck. I got some pretty interesting looks form the big SUV counterparts as I chilled in the back watching the waves. I think people were impressed that I had made it out onto the beach. I think having a manual was definately and advantage in being able to determine what gear to be in and I would recommend lower the psi on your tires before venturing into the sand.

I think having a manual was definately and advantage in being able to determine what gear to be in and I would recommend lower the psi on your tires before venturing into the sand.

The Honda automatic in '2' does not downshift, so you can use it in slippery conditions to reduce the chance of loosing traction. I like it in snow, but haven't tried it in loose sand.

paulj

Maybe a little off topic but man I really like that image Empire posted. That is what Honda should be running as a print ad. Very much a lifestyle/take me away image that really sums up what the Element is about. Very well done.

Maybe a little off topic but man I really like that image Empire posted. That is what Honda should be running as a print ad. Very much a lifestyle/take me away image that really sums up what the Element is about. Very well done.


Does look good Empire.

I tesetd mine on the sand just 2 days after picking it up. It did ok. I droped the tires down to 10 psi. I went down with the Isuzu trooper club (That was my last truck). I knew that If I got stuck they would get me out, after roaling in the sand splitting their sides.

But no need. It went down the sand strip like it was on rails.

Hi all,
I'm going to the outer banks in NC mid June, there is a 4wd beach nearby I'm thinking of trying. Never drove on sand b4, other than lowering Tire pressure any advise?

Try not to stop in any deep sand. If you have to cross deep stuff, keep a steady speed and keep your momentum up to avoid sinking. Other than that, letting a little pressure out of your tires would definitely help give them a bigger footprint on the sand and maybe help them to float on top. Good luck.

Try not to stop in any deep sand. If you have to cross deep stuff, keep a steady speed and keep your momentum up to avoid sinking. Other than that, letting a little pressure out of your tires would definitely help give them a bigger footprint on the sand and maybe help them to float on top. Good luck.

What he said! When I was in High School, a few friends and I went to the beach and got my truck stuck in the sand because we were inexpereinced in driving in sand. Fortunately there were 4 of us, so a little rocking and pushing got me going, but it wasn't a fun way to end the afternoon. When you park on the beach, make sure it is hard pack.

Hi all,
I'm going to the outer banks in NC mid June, there is a 4wd beach nearby I'm thinking of trying. Never drove on sand b4, other than lowering Tire pressure any advise?


Remember to blow'em back up LOL.

My 4 wheelin friend says that if you get stuck, it's best to put it in reverse to try to get out. Don't know if it's true, but figured I'd put it out there for somebody here to confirm.

Jeff

My 4 wheelin friend says that if you get stuck, it's best to put it in reverse to try to get out. Don't know if it's true, but figured I'd put it out there for somebody here to confirm.

Jeff
Your friend has a good point. When I got stuck, the first thing I thought to do was gun it and hope to dislodge my car. You just dig in a little deeper. The same holds true for snow. If you gun it, your tires heat up the snow creating a slicker surface making it even harder to free yourself.

Try not to stop in any deep sand. If you have to cross deep stuff, keep a steady speed and keep your momentum up to avoid sinking. Other than that, letting a little pressure out of your tires would definitely help give them a bigger footprint on the sand and maybe help them to float on top. Good luck.


Yea... definitely don't stop.... otherwise... this will happen:

http://e-shen.com/element/pismo/pismo22.jpg


more pix from pismo beach here:

http://e-shen.com/element/pismo.htm

Hi all,
I'm going to the outer banks in NC mid June, there is a 4wd beach nearby I'm thinking of trying. Never drove on sand b4, other than lowering Tire pressure any advise?


The tire pressure needs to be REAL low,, 20 lbs max,, 15 lbs is better. I've seen guys with full size 2 wheel drive Chevy vans make it around to the point of Hatteras Island on the sand to fish just by putting the tires down to 15 lbs.

I had a Jeep back then,, left my tires at about 22 lbs, got stuck in the soft stuff.. Lowered the pressure to 15 lbs or a little under, dug out the sand touching anything other than tires, and walked right out, didn't get stuck again the whole day..

Also remember, low profile tires don't really get that soft when the air pressure is lowered like 60 or 70 series tires.

Last summer I drove mine and parked on the beach about 50 feet from the water. This is the public beach/campground/park right behind the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. Once the tires were aired down to about 15 psi it performed flawlessly. I took this shot while standing in the water.




http://img328.imageshack.us/img328/9306/beach10ji.jpg

Having been there and done that besides the tire pressure follow everyone elses
tire tracks unless they are to deep:cry: there are speed limits and and rules posted on the OB beaches and tow trucks and rangers that regularly patrol the area.:D make sure your rear ends not weighted down to much and if it hasnt rained in a while stay up high on the beach and watch out for tree stumps.:oops: Oh and don't forget to bring a small compressor and reinflate the tires don't laugh it happens daily down there and all of the above has happened to me or friends down there over the year's:D :D :D By the way eat at tautaugs at mile marker 12?? old beach road it's awesome8-) 8-)
Have a blast

Picking up my new E on wed from the dealer @ the state line. Interesting to see the pics you guys have, esp the E on the beach. After letting air out you should be good, as said before, I got my wrangler stuck by not letting enuff air out of my tires. The Honda dealer said that the E doesn't do so well on the beach though due to the type of 4wd system.

thanks for all the advise and the super pics! I'm going over to Harbor freight this weekend an pick up a small 12v compressor to bring along.

Harbor Freight? haha just pray it doesnt blow up or just fall apart when you try to reinflate them.

There were many good points in other posts. Main thing is to keep moving especially in deep sand. I have not found the portable air compressor to be of much use. It takes to long to fill your tires back with one. There is an air station across the road at Oregon Inlet if you go to the beach there and it will not stress the tires to travel the short distance to the nearest gas station for air. Also take a shovel with you in case you need to dig out. Sooner or later you will get stuck and need to dig, happens to the biggest badest 4X4’s on the beach. Dig out in front and in back of your wheels and rock the E forward and backward if it will not pull straight out. Remember to stop when you feel you are getting stuck. Worse thing in the world is to gun it and bury it to the pan. You will need a tow truck or someone with a strap to help you if this happens. It is always lots of fun on the beach and always an adventure. Have Fun!

Yes. Bringing along a tow strap and a shovel is a good idea. And make sure you get to a car wash and high pressure hose the underside and chassis as soon as you leave the beach.

All great advice! I would also take it to car wash afterwards and rinse all over and underneath.Automatic car washes will rinse underneath but try to get one that has a "rinse only" option without the brushes.

Specifically @ Freeman Recreation Area @ Carolina Beach. (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=270030#post270030)

I'm a bit weary of the E's capability; however, does anyone have any tips on how to make the beach driving have a happy ending?

Also, if I do get stuck, where's a good place to tie a tow cable?

If you have to remember one thing, and only one thing, "Don't lose momentum."

Also, when you park, assuming it will be on the beach, try to park on hardpack sand.

Last week I launched my 800lb Waverunner on wet sand into the Gulf of Mexico. With only 2 wheel drive I did need a push to get back out of the water, but the 'pushie' was a skinny teenager and I was still pulling my trailer. I would have been fine but our county is softening the sand right now for turtle nesting season. The E is very light and does really well if the sand is dry.

Air down to about 15 psi and you should do ok.
Stay out of large dips and try to park on a high spot.

I did fine last summer in Capa Hatteras while driving and parking about 50 feet from the water.



http://img328.imageshack.us/img328/9306/beach10ji.jpg

Well, I had a blast with a few minor issues.

I aired down to 15psi and the traction was super... no complaints at all. The first half of the beach park was rutted up and I was scraping my gas tank bar in the sand in the washboard section. I decided to air back up to 32/34 and test it out in the pack and the soft stuff but on initial launch I had to bog it off line as to not spin the tires and dig me into a hole.

I aired back down and had fun for the rest of the weekend... 32 miles on the odo and never left the beach.

On the last day, people were getting stuck leaving left and right so some of my serious 4X4 buddies devised a plan to make a new soft pack rut of our own higher than the old ruts. I would then tailgate them out of the park.

I was denied a couple of times and kicked off of the new rut but they made me a trail to get back on as soon as I fell off... I did not bottom out once.

It's nice to have friends like that. Other than the ground clearance issue, they were thoroughly impressed with the E's capabilities.

http://www.splashblog.com/rayray

Specifically @ Freeman Recreation Area @ Carolina Beach. (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=270030#post270030)

I'm a bit weary of the E's capability; however, does anyone have any tips on how to make the beach driving have a happy ending?

Also, if I do get stuck, where's a good place to tie a tow cable?

Lower the tire pressure down to 18 to 20psi. But make sure you have some way to pump them back up before you go back to the pavement.

Also, if I do get stuck, where's a good place to tie a tow cable?

There are two tow loops welded to the front subframe, and one loop welded to the reinforced part of the spare tire well.

These are probably not as strong as a proper tow point on a 4x4, but appear to be as strong as any tie down point on other cars. The rear one is also a designate floor jack lift point, and is used as part of the hitch mounting system.

Installing a hitch, particularly the 2" one, should strengthen the rear tow point.

Hooking a tow rope or chain to these points could be tricky. Clearance around the front ones is particularly tight.

I think these points are good enough for a steady pull. They may not be enough for a dynamic snatch, especially if the Element is thoroughly stuck in mud.

paulj

Everyone should check out the link from Sheniferous. There are some great shots of a bunch of guys in helmets pushing the E out of the deep sand! :-P I was just on the same beach (Pismo) last month and stayed on the hard packed sand; had absolutely no problem even though I didn't change tire pressure. I don't care for the Goodyear Wrangler tires that came on my E. I can hardly wait to wear them out so I can some BF Goodrich tires on. I've always had good performance from them, both for traction and longevity.

Yea... definitely don't stop.... otherwise... this will happen:

http://e-shen.com/element/pismo/pismo22.jpg


more pix from pismo beach here:

http://e-shen.com/element/pismo.htm

Don't forget sunscreen! If you get stuck and have to push, you don't want to burn.

8-)

I've had mine out on the beach twice. I use a low pressure tire gauge, to drop the tires down to 10 Lbs. You must keep in mind that with the tires that low, you do not want to make fast turns, or go side ways on hills or dunes. If you do the tire will brake away from the RIM. I find the E does well on the sand at 10 Lbs. I gave it a shot at 15 Lbs., but found it still wanted to dig in. I carry 2 pieces of Plywood 8 inches wide by 5 feet long to stick under the tires, " JUST IN CASE ". I did need them with the tires at 15 Lbs. but after setting the tires down to 10 Lbs. all went fine.

Dom

Airdown is a double edged sword... if the ruts are deep, you need every bit of clearance you can get; however, with full air, your traction will suck ass. Keep your momentum going and start off easy.

If you start to bog off line, just hold that gas down, it may not seem like it but you'll have just enough to pull out.

I dragged a little on Carolina beach; however, the E outperformed my expectations.

I am currently torn between the element and the ridgeline. It would definetly tip the scale in favor of the element if it worked well for driving on the beach. I am a surfer and currently drive a rodeo that easily eats up anything in its path. Also. How does the element do in signifigant snow (1ft+)? Thank you!!!

I know I have seen a lot of pictures on the forum of people taking their E's on the beach (just take some air out of the tires first) and since they pretty much market the E as a beach/surf vehicle, I would think it should do great in the sand. All of this is assuming that you get the AWD model and not the FWD. I have not had the E in 1 ft + of snow but I have had it in about 8 inches and it did perfect! I was having trouble just making the car slide in a parking lot. The E is a great vehicle for rain, snow, sand, etc.

The Element should do find on hard packed sand, but getting through the soft fluffy white sand on Long Island would interesting. I wouldn't ever try anything like that with the factory tires though... they offer zero traction on asphalt can't see them doing any better on sand.

As for snow, get a set of Nokian WR SUV"s and you will be fine even in 2 feet of snow (btdt). The OEM Goodyear tires don't work except to keep the Element off the rotors, toss them as soon as you are able.

I had no problems scooting across the fairly soft sand at Cape Hatteras.
I'll admit I didn't travel a very long distance but I was able to park about 50' from the water's edge. 15 PSI seemed to be ideal with the Bridgestone REVOs.

Offhand, I'd say you appear to have more money to burn than you know what to do with. There's a nearly $10,000 difference between the price of comparably equipped Elements and Ridgelines, and they meet the needs of two very different sets of demands.

And if you think "eating up" stuff is important, as you did with your Isuzu, perhaps you'd be even happier with a gas-guzzling American V-8 powered something or other? Hondas are never accused of eating things up, so you're likely to be unhappy with either choice if that's your criteria.

Bottom line, if you're simply inclined to buy something you're uninformed about, at the very least choose the Ridgeline and let "them" deal with you on their website. An Element is no dune buggy, by anyone's stretch of the imagination.

For what it's worth, most Elements are capable of doing just fine in a foot of snow, but that's all dependent on the driver; not the car. But the same could be said about a 1957 Oldsmobile. What's your real question? :confused:

I took my E to the beach labor day weekend, & went thru some soft sand, no problems.

Have been on the beach as St Augustine plenty of times with no problems.

I would not expect an Element to do as well on sand as a Rodeo. What features of the Rodeo do you think are most useful in sand? 4L? Soft tires? High clearance?

paulj

thanks for the info (minus hownowcb who seems to have some personal problems:sad: ) I was mostly concerned with ground clearence and low end torque. The rodeo has great clearence and tons of low end torque. I would prefer to get the element because the interior space is the most useful of all cars out now, especially for all my hobbies. I don't "4X4" and my goal is not to climb over giant sand dunes, but I definetly have no desire to get stuck. It seems like the element is up to the test. The gas thing doesn't bother me so much because the ridgeline is not that bad and the element is not that good mpg wise. I figure annually it will cost an extra $450 to drive the ridgeline. Thanks again.

The Element does not have much low end torque. Maximum power and torque occur around 4000 rpm. This translates to about 20 mph in 1st for automatic. Manual transmission has a bit lower 1st, but doesn't have the automatic's torque multiplying effect. So a slow controlled crawl over rocks is impossible in an Element (probably no better in the Ridgeline). On steep downhills, you have to depend on brakes more than you would in your Rodeo. I don't have much experience in loose sand.

paulj

And if you think "eating up" stuff is important, as you did with your Isuzu, perhaps you'd be even happier with a gas-guzzling American V-8 powered something or other? Hondas are never accused of eating things up, so you're likely to be unhappy with either choice if that's your criteria.



I take it you have never seen the commercial for the Ridgeline....That truck was eating it up and spitting it out!:grin:

or look at the FJ

my friend bought one last month and as much as he loves the truck he admits its not a really good 'everyday driver' for him. he calls it his special toy/special purpose truck. if you are truly into off-roading (as he is) than the FJ might be your ticket.

he told me he went to a wedding wearing a full suit. It was a fancy wedding and he drove it to a valet to be parked. The kid was like, "daaaaaaaaaaaaamn what in the hell is this thing!? you show up to a formal event with this!"
:lol:

Offhand, I'd say you appear to have more money to burn than you know what to do with. There's a nearly $10,000 difference between the price of comparably equipped Elements and Ridgelines, and they meet the needs of two very different sets of demands.

And if you think "eating up" stuff is important, as you did with your Isuzu, perhaps you'd be even happier with a gas-guzzling American V-8 powered something or other? Hondas are never accused of eating things up, so you're likely to be unhappy with either choice if that's your criteria.

Bottom line, if you're simply inclined to buy something you're uninformed about, at the very least choose the Ridgeline and let "them" deal with you on their website. An Element is no dune buggy, by anyone's stretch of the imagination.

For what it's worth, most Elements are capable of doing just fine in a foot of snow, but that's all dependent on the driver; not the car. But the same could be said about a 1957 Oldsmobile. What's your real question? :confused:


Can you share more of your thoughts with us? I want to learn more, your posting is so full of depth, relevant information and it embodies what makes this site a great place to visit.

Keep up the good work!

I have been driving on beaches for years, in particular at Cape Hatteras. For the past two summers (45 days maybe a bit more) I have driven on most beaches there. My son has a true deep sand jeep so I have taken chances knowing he could come get me out. Never had a problem, but I have been sensible. More than anything else I have been shocked at how well it does. I drove a Cherokee before and haven't missed it at the beach at all. Go for it!

I've driven a variety of vehicles on a variety of sandy locations.

How easy it is to drive on sand varies alot by location. The Pacific beaches in Washington State that are open to driving are very easy. I've seen lots of 2 wheel drive vehicles out there. Large expanses of packed sand. The Element would be fine there. The oposite end of the spectrum might be Corolla beach North Carolina. At high tide vehicles must negotiate long stretches of rutted soft sand. I doubt an Element would handle this. I spent a week there and the vehicle I drove had higher clearance than most and stayed in 4 low most of the time. I routinely saw stuck vehicles, all were 4 wheel drive. They got stuck for two reasons: lack of ground clearance and lack of low end torque.

Keep in mind the the E has open front and rear differentials. This effectively means that in difficult situations you will get 2 wheels driving. The term AWD is a bit misleading. Limited slip in the rear would make a huge improvement but is not available.

There are lost of sandy condistions that the E should handle just fine. But there are some that I doubt it could handle. Consider the nature of your intended target and look at the vehicles out there. If the lower 4X4s are getting stuck, so will the E. If the 4 cylinder 4x4s are getting stuck, so will the E.

Driving skill may help. Lower your tire pressure to 15-20 psi and avoid the ruts and really soft sand. Take a shovel, extra jack, tow strap and traction boards. If you are rational and careful, you'll be fine.

Cheers

I'm shopping for a vehicle I can take on long trips, day to day commuting and, every once and a while, drive on to the beach (Outer Banks, North Carolina). I'm not an experienced off roader, and the only off roading I will do is the beaches at NC.

I found a thread here (GREAT forum BTW!) that someone took photos of driving on the beach at NC, but it's the only report I've found and that person has only posted once.

I also found "Sparman's" thread ( http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27431 ) where he lifted his Element 2.5". This interests me, as I'm a pretty handy kind of guy, but I've never modded a vehicle before.

I like everything about the Element (thinking of getting a used one, like a 2003) but the only thing I'm unsure of is whether I'll be able to drive it on the beach. My buddy (who off roads all the time) warns that the Element will just get stuck and I should get a "real" 4WD, like a 4Runner or similar. Since 95% of my driving will be highway, driving a 12 mpg vehicle just doesn't make sense.

Any advice?

Is there a simple mod ("beach friendly" tires, larger wheels, special shocks?) that I can do to keep me from getting stuck in the sand?

Sparman's mod doesn't look too tough, but I've never undertaken a project like this before so I could be completely wrong on my assessment. Looks like I need to buy a couple hundred bucks of special parts and maybe the same in special tools and then just follow his directions. Or am I completely off?

Thanks very much for your help.

The E is quite capable in the sand....within reason! Now if you're looking for sand rail performance, nah, aint gonna happen. However, if you're just wanting to get from point A to B with a bit of beach gear, then it's going to work perfectly for ya.

Here are a few threads with some pics of E's in action on the sand:
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22078&highlight=pismo

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27135&highlight=pismo

http://elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3920

Absolutely, take your brand-new E onto the beach. In fact, if you search around this site for the thread, you'll find an inspiring story from a guy on the Baltic sea about just that topic.

Absolutely, take your brand-new E onto the beach. In fact, if you search around this site for the thread, you'll find an inspiring story from a guy on the Baltic sea about just that topic.
Hmm... It wouldn't be a brand new E, probably a 2003 in very good shape though.

At any rate, I scoured the forum for all the posts on sand and beach driving with an E and it seemed that the feedback was pretty evenly divided between the "don't do it, you'll get stuck" and the "worked for me" responses.

Even after studying the threads on lifting the E 2.5" and changing the tires/wheels, I'm not 100% comfortable with the idea of taking an E on the beach (probably because I have zero off road experience).

I'd still love to get an E, would even be interested in spending the bucks to lift it and add the stuff it would need for beach driving, if I knew for sure it would work. I'm keeping it in my list of options, but in the mean time I'm also considering a 4Runner, possibly an older one. It kills me to use a 6 cylinder for the kind of driving I'll be doing, but I'm pretty darn sure it will handle the off road, beach driving when I need it to.

It really depends on how you drive on the beach. When I got stuck in Pismo, it was only because I decided to take it on the dunes. Otherwise, it was great along the shore. Hell, you can drive a 2WD Civic on a beach if you pressured down and took it slow.

So when you say "driving on the beach" do you mean using the car to drive onto a beach location, then get out and enjoy the beach.... or "driving on the beach" as in tearing up and down the shore in the car and trying to tackle sand dunes?

The E isn't built for the latter. Trust me, I know. :)

I've done alright, just stay out of the deep stuff.

I have surf fished on the Delaware beach areas for the past 15 years. I have had a Jeep cj, Izuzu trooper , Nissan king cab pickup and most recently a Ford Escape. All of these vehicle handled the deep sand you find on the Delaware shoreline fairly well but now that I have the Element I would not even attempt to take it out on the beach there. The Element does not have the ground clearance or power to handle deep sand. So I guess the key is what beach you plan on going to. If the sand is not soft and is tightly packed you should have no problem but if you try and run it in deep heavy sand I can almost assure you that you will sink it and get stuck.

The beach at the Outer Banks ranges from packed to "deep sugar like" on the beach side of the duneline. The cutouts in the dunes to get from the beach to the roadway on the other side of the dunes is almost always deep and loose.

The Element would most likely bottom out in the loose sand situations unless great care was taken to find the lowest sand levels. Keeping the vehicle moving is the key. Once you stop in the deeper sand you will almost certainly get stuck due to bottoming out..

Don't think you will always be able to keep moving. The largest majority of people who get stuck, get stuck because they thought following in someone elses tracks would make it easier for them. It does until the person in front of the caravan gets stuck and then all the 4WD/AWD with a low ride hieght get stuck and need to be pulled out. I know because I will usually have to stop 3 or 4 times going down the beach to our house to pull people out.

When I ride on the beach I use my 2006 Nissan Armada with 325/50/20 Proxes S/T tires at 10 lb of pressure.

I Am Planning A Trip To Obx In A Few Weeks And I Was Wondering How The Element Will Handle Offroad In The Sand? Any Precautions I Should Take Before Hitting The Sand? Thanks For The Help

I Am Planning A Trip To Obx In A Few Weeks And I Was Wondering How The Element Will Handle Offroad In The Sand? Any Precautions I Should Take Before Hitting The Sand? Thanks For The Help
Welcome to the EOC! I suggest using the Search function. This has been discussed many, many times, as you'll see below. I did a search for Outer Banks and got this...

Ocean City in July (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29867&highlight=outer+banks) (images/misc/multipage.gif 1 (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29867&highlight=outer+banks) 2 (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29867&page=2&highlight=outer+banks) 3 (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29867&page=3&highlight=outer+banks) ... Last Page (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29867&page=16&highlight=outer+banks))
LmentalMastiffs
04-06-2007 01:10 AM
by FrEEdom (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/member.php?find=lastposter&t=29867) images/buttons/lastpost.gif (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?goto=lastpost&t=29867)
151 (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/search.php?searchid=1195590#) 3,432 Mid-Atlantic Element Owners (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=37) images/statusicon/thread_hot_new.gif images/buttons/firstnew.gif (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=32806) Toyota Prius (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32806&highlight=outer+banks) (images/misc/multipage.gif 1 (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32806&highlight=outer+banks) 2 (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32806&page=2&highlight=outer+banks) 3 (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32806&page=3&highlight=outer+banks) )
wkramer
04-05-2007 04:03 PM
by MikeQBF (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/member.php?find=lastposter&t=32806) images/buttons/lastpost.gif (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?goto=lastpost&t=32806)
23 (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/search.php?searchid=1195590#) 413 Other Cars, Trucks and Bikes (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=70) images/statusicon/thread_new.gif images/buttons/firstnew.gif (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=33168) any windsurfers? (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33168&highlight=outer+banks)
saruu6
04-02-2007 12:44 AM
by saruu6 (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/member.php?find=lastposter&t=33168) images/buttons/lastpost.gif (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?goto=lastpost&t=33168)
0 (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/search.php?searchid=1195590#) 29 Bikin', Campin', Hikin', and Kayakin' (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=59) images/statusicon/thread_dot_hot.gif images/misc/paperclip.gif images/misc/subscribed.gif any E owners from NC? (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2399&highlight=outer+banks) (images/misc/multipage.gif 1 (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2399&highlight=outer+banks) 2 (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2399&page=2&highlight=outer+banks) 3 (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2399&page=3&highlight=outer+banks) ... Last Page (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2399&page=17&highlight=outer+banks))
batman
03-27-2007 05:29 AM
by DirtGhost (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/member.php?find=lastposter&t=2399) images/buttons/lastpost.gif (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?goto=lastpost&t=2399)
160 (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/search.php?searchid=1195590#) 8,139 Mid-South Element Owners (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=28) images/statusicon/thread_dot_hot.gif images/misc/paperclip.gif images/misc/subscribed.gif Beaches are fun... (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22078&highlight=outer+banks) (images/misc/multipage.gif 1 (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22078&highlight=outer+banks) 2 (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22078&page=2&highlight=outer+banks) 3 (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22078&page=3&highlight=outer+banks) )
jeebus
01-11-2007 09:52 PM
by uukbar (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/member.php?find=lastposter&t=22078) images/buttons/lastpost.gif (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?goto=lastpost&t=22078)
24 (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/search.php?searchid=1195590#) 2,342 Off The Beaten Path.... (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=35) images/statusicon/thread_hot.gif
Hope this helps!

Your results will look better when you do it. :D

The one really bad report of an offraod experience that I remember reading was from a member who drove offroad in sand. He reporting a "chunking" sound, I think. Search on "sand chunk" or "beach chunk" and see if anything pops up.

Personally, I have 2wd, so I don't go in anything more difficult than tall gras. :-)

Your first step would be to lay off the caps...

Welcome, Raskarle.

You probably already know to air down your tires. Otherwise see the links others have provided. Elements have been known to get stuck in the sand. At the very least, be cautious about how far out you go, and carry a shovel and tow strap.

Some have had good experience on sand. However I have not. I have managed to get the E stuck Every time I'm on the beach. It's the first car I have had this trouble with.

I have been beach running since the 1960's, do to the fact that I like to fish. I have never been stuck on race point. Until I took the E out there. I have run everything from VW's to Blazers on that beach. The E just does not like it. I have taken the tires down to 4 Lbs. and it still does not like to " Float " .


E-Shen also had some trouble. I think his thread has Photo's.

Make sure you have another 4X4 with you that can provide a tow.

Edit to add link: http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3920&highlight=Sand+dunes

Dom

Comments on beach driving:

1) conditions vary enormously from place to place. The Outerbanks have soft sand that is not super good for driving. Where the sand is dry and rutted up by drivers you will get stuck. Simply for lack of ground clearence. Where the sand is packed (typically near the water at low tide) you won't have a problem.

2) tire pressure is critical. The E has comparatively narrow tires which add to the problem. I'd air down to about 15psi. Any lower and you may damage the tires. The problem will be airing back up. If you have to drive any distance to get air you will need to go slow and be careful. Cigarette lighter air pumps will take a week to air up from 15 to 35 for four tires. Cheap ones will just burn out.

3) vehicle weight is the one thing you might be able to control. Having helped all manner of stuck vehicles in OBX sand, I can tell you that they all tended to be over loaded for the trip. If you are gonna drive on the beach get rid of as much excess weight as possible. One long, drawn out story about an E getting stuck in OBX failed to mention that the guy had 4 people and tons of gear in the car at the time.

4) The E's rudimentary AWD system has an overload function of some sort. It will disengage if it is asked to do too much. I do not know much about this but I would suggest you look into it before you get stuck.

Closing: I'd treat the E as if it was only slightly better than a two wheel drive vehicle for OBX sand. Weight and soft, rutted sand are your enemies. You have no ground clearence, limited 4wd capability and narrow tires. If you are careful and drive gently, aviod spinning wheels at all cost, you should be OK. Keep in mind that getting towed off the sand in OBX is seriously expensive. One of the agencies I have worked with clearly states that many AWD SUVs are not suited to beach driving in OBX. If you really have to get out on the beach vs. just wanting to play a bit, consider renting a jeep.

Be sure to take pics and let us know how it goes.

Cheers

To the flamers that are about to attack: sand varies all over the country. Washington's Pacific beaches are no problem for the E. Other places are different depending on the type of sand. OBX sand can get deep, soft and rutted such that ground clearence issues can stop just about any low clearence vehicle.

welcome to da mad house..:D

-air down

-tire speed up

-bring a tow strap or buddy with a winch

As long as you have decent tire and you lower you're tire pressure you should have no problem . We went camping this summer on a beach and my buddy took his hyundai elantra on the sand with a good all season tire and 18psi he had to work to get unstuck a few times but never had a big problem.

Sand can be tricky thou make sure you don't go to slow or too fast , and definetly don't stop unless it's a very level area

On a recent weekend at the NC Outer Banks, I was tempted to try our 03 EX on the beach near the Oregon inlet, but decided not to. Would love to hear any other member experiences re: AWD Element beach-worthiness.

03 EX - 70K

There is an entire forum dedicated to going off-road with your E, it's called "Off the Beaten Path" and a quick look/search there found several threads related to driving on various beaches. I know there have been very few, if any, horror stories from members driving on the sand but as a recovering Jeep addict I can tell you from experience not to attempt even lite off-roading activities if you are not properly prepared and educated. Take some time to read up on driving your E on the sand and make sure you bring some necessary equipment with you such as a tire pressure gauge, tire inflator, small shovel and maybe even some 3ft pieces of 2x6 just in case you get completely stuck.

Ultimately, you shouldn't have much problem going on the sand so long as you know what you're doing.

As a recovering jeep addict myself I can tell you tires, tires, tires. From my experience all terrain tires work a lot better in sand than mud tires. I have off-roaded almost every vehicle I've owned and this one was the most fun.:D

As a recovering jeep addict myself I can tell you tires, tires, tires. From my experience all terrain tires work a lot better in sand than mud tires. I have off-roaded almost every vehicle I've owned and this one was the most fun.:D
HA=HA! This reminds me when I was in my early 20s (and foolish!) and I offroaded my PINTO
:D

I was down there in september. Drove on the harder pack stuff and threw some what I'd call medium. Spoke with a guy who lives down there and said he had put slightly larger tires on his EX AWD and goes out to "the cove" which is way out on the point past the Hatteras Light. The sand the whole way out there is really soft. He just said to be careful where you stop. Try to find something which is a little firmer.

Here's the Steamer out at kite point (just south of Canadian Hole). Had to go through some real soft stuff to get out there. Just build up the speed and keep going. No problems once through it.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1057/1470881354_94b48d7f5e.jpg

If you keep your tires aired down, you can do just about anything just as long as you have clearance.

My advise FWIW is to send someone to the top of the dune crossing to check on people coming the other way. Sand on top of the dunes is soft and you don't want to have to stop there. Also stay out of the ruts othes have made, just straddle them, you can get down to the frame pretty quickly if you have to slow and spin your wheels. That's true for any 4wd, I've seen alot of them stuck on the dunes - including jeeps and hummers.
se

I took my E to the Saco River in Maine this year and had no problems on the beach. Start up slow, and once you get going don't stop! It felt like my E was ice skating!

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1343/1033357775_54f1a7557d.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1427/1034214222_23d82bef76.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1108/1033359735_920efbae6a.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1317/1033361387_f9f22bedef.jpg

On a recent weekend at the NC Outer Banks, I was tempted to try our 03 EX on the beach near the Oregon inlet, but decided not to. Would love to hear any other member experiences re: AWD Element beach-worthiness.

03 EX - 70K

I will have pics of my 04 out there on the banks when i get back from my TDY... planning on getting the BFG A/T KO's... 1) they look wicked and 2) if i can find dirt/sand/mud/snow to drive on... i usually do just that... being from nebraska originally, its in my blood to make every attempt to have a little "off road"/ minimum maintenance road experience whenever possible

Hi, new to the E world, don't even own one yet, just doing some research.
I wanted to know how the AWD/Real Time 4WD does out in the real world. I'm not talking about wet roads, I'm talking about snow and sand. Can I go driving on the beach, not hard packed sand but loose, soft sand?

Deflated tires to 20psi, and the car rocks on the beach. I spend weekends @ Pismo, and the looks from the people with "real trucks" as I go bumping along in the Element is pretty funny. Floats right along, even on stock tires.

I carry an air compressor with me in the car to reflate the tires when leaving.

Moby, can you tell when the AWD/4WD kicks in or is on?
when it does kick in does it stay on for awhile or go off as soon as the 4 wheels are in sink again?:confused: I had a 4x4 GMC Sonoma, and I like to know when you are in 4wd and when you aren't.

It's real subtle--the car just kinda floats on top. Hit some really deep stuff and it rolls right over it--never a real sensation of the drive mechanism kicking in and out.

It handles both fine. Been in the sand in Joshua Tree National Park, and we get plenty of snow during ski season up here in the San Bernardino Mountains. Not as good as our Subaru, but hey, that's what Subaru does. The only difference between the two is that the Subaru can offer 5 speeds. The low gears are loooow, which helps when we dropped into our little valley.

Not that I would want to use them, and keep in mind that I don't own an E yet, but are there any tow hooks or good spot to hook up a tow strap to get pulled out with as not to damage the E

Moby, can you tell when the AWD/4WD kicks in or is on?
when it does kick in does it stay on for awhile or go off as soon as the 4 wheels are in sink again?:confused: I had a 4x4 GMC Sonoma, and I like to know when you are in 4wd and when you aren't.


From what I understand, its more AWD than 4WD... there is power to the front and rear wheels at all times, there is more power to the front usually untill they slip then it transfers more power to the rear... standby for link...

http://automobiles.honda.com/element/features.aspx?Feature=4wd

hope that helps

Thanks, but from what I can tell from the video, its front wheel drive untill the front wheel are traveling or spinning faster than the back wheel, then the back wheel get power to speed up with the front wheels. What I am worried about is that when the front wheels start to slip or spin its already to late and by time the back wheels get power you are already stuck in the snow or sand or whatever. I'm sure the system is more complex but if it's only 4WD when the front wheels are spinning faster than the rear wheels...I just don't know. Thats why I want to hear from people who drive on the beach and or are in snow alot.

Moby,

A couple of questions concerning the air compressor that you carry?

Could you let us know what brand and model it is?

Also, does it take very long to air the tires back up? I've thought about getting an air compressor, but I'm getting a lot of feedback that they can be very slow.

And just in general how satisfied you are with your air compressor.

Thanks,
Uno

Thanks, but from what I can tell from the video, its front wheel drive untill the front wheel are traveling or spinning faster than the back wheel, then the back wheel get power to speed up with the front wheels. What I am worried about is that when the front wheels start to slip or spin its already to late and by time the back wheels get power you are already stuck in the snow or sand or whatever. I'm sure the system is more complex but if it's only 4WD when the front wheels are spinning faster than the rear wheels...I just don't know. Thats why I want to hear from people who drive on the beach and or are in snow alot.

My experience, a little bit o mud, and wet asphalt w/ bald tires... (keep in mind i have the 04 MT model) i couldnt feel anything in the mud as far as the AWD goes, but on the wet asphalt... taking off in first gear and making every attempt possible to squeal the tires i could certainly feel the RWD kick in very very quickly. the "real time" 4wd is exactly that... works in Real time, not after the fact.

Thanks Reaper.

I am no expert but I can tell you what I have observed here in northern nj when it snows. Not only do I live on a hill but I park on the street and get plowed in. I usual get my wife to drive and i direct her on what to do mostly to see how the awd behaves. It seems to me the transfer of power is quicker and more instant than one would think. When I see the front wheel start to spin even a little the rear ones start to take hold. They do not have as much power as the fronts but i suppose there is a reason for that. I just apply slow steady pressure and can get out of just about anything. As far as when i'm driving in the snow all i can say is it just alot more soild and stuck to the road than a front or rear wheel car. Keep in mind I changed out my stock tires for Avon Rangers and they make a big diffrence. Your only limitation is the ground clearance. I would recommend the element to anyone.

Thanks MGill.

Bob Log III:
In your avatar it looks like your E is buried up to the axle, was that on the same trip as the pic's you posted and how hard was it to get out? Please tell me the "Real-Time 4WD" worked great and you just drove right out of the surf.:razz:

I am no expert but I can tell you what I have observed here in northern nj when it snows. Not only do I live on a hill but I park on the street and get plowed in. I usual get my wife to drive and i direct her on what to do mostly to see how the awd behaves. It seems to me the transfer of power is quicker and more instant than one would think. When I see the front wheel start to spin even a little the rear ones start to take hold. They do not have as much power as the fronts but i suppose there is a reason for that. I just apply slow steady pressure and can get out of just about anything. As far as when i'm driving in the snow all i can say is it just alot more soild and stuck to the road than a front or rear wheel car. Keep in mind I changed out my stock tires for Avon Rangers and they make a big diffrence. Your only limitation is the ground clearance. I would recommend the element to anyone.


If you could get video of this and upload it somewhere that would be pretty cool...

I'm not really an expert either, but I took my car to Cape Lookout down in the outer banks this summer and drove it over dunes with loosely packed sand and a little closer to the tides (not too close... last thing i want is to get swept away) and I didn't have any major problems. I got stuck in the loose stuff when I first got on the beach- then I lowered the tire pressure down the to the 20 and I had NO problems after that. Didn't even have to dig out of the stuff I did get stuck in.
You could feel the 4-wheel drive kick in but it was subtle... did a little drifting back and forth and I wasn't going as fast as some of the other more rugged vehicles, but the E did pretty great!
Took the car ferry back across at the end of the weekend and there was an airpump over there, so I dont know about portable units...

Ive been looking at getting an air compressor as i plan on being a beach bum a little bit this summer... here is one i found on amazon, seems to have good ratings and a Nice price at that (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BM8RT8/ref=reg_hu-wl_item-added?bcsi_scan_0ACD19979C3951A4=zC/tga2kN/iI+Cw7sgLL7CsAAAB4xZYF) anybody have any other suggestions?

If you could get video of this and upload it somewhere that would be pretty cool...

The snow is pretty much melted now or shoveled away....but I am going to northern PA next week I know they have a lot of snow on the ground i will see what i can do.

I went on the beach for the first time this summer in the OBX, and I went out on the beach by Buxton. Also, I went on the ramp onto the beach right before Avon, and my Element went fine in those two places - only problem were the sidesteps that kept on hitting and grinding the sand. I lowered my tire pressure (I believe - ahh, I can't recall exactly) and went in 1st > 2nd > 1st gear fashion when it seemed I was sinking in (don't know if that's good or not, but it worked for me)...

My dad (a mechanic) made me drive because he bet me I would get stuck. I didn't. :lol: I love how he didn't even venture to take his CR-V on the beach yet, though. :mad:

When I went down to Buxton, I saw a black E down aways from us, and both the owners (I would assume) were looking at us - anyone here who owns a Black E see a CK Element that went on the beach and then turned around? I would have stopped to chat but I have to admit, I was getting a bit nervous being my first time driving on the beach.

I know what you mean about getting nervous driving on the beach. I had a 1998 GMC Sonoma 4X4, not to high off the ground, I got stuck the first time at Oregon Inlet, I didn't let any air out of the tires. The last time I was there the sand was so soft, and I was so nervous, I swore never to drive on the beach again, It's not worth tearing up your vehicle. But as time passed and I remember the good time driving on the beach, I would love to try it again. I always enjoyed driving on the beach up by Corolla, the sand is a little harder packed there.

I took my Element on the sand at Oregon Inlet last year. The sand was pretty soft, but I had the tires down to about 20 psi. I was still dragging the frame for pretty much the entire time; and once I fell into a rut, I had to speed up and steer back and forth in the rut until I had enough momentum to get out. I didn't get stuck, but I did get pulled over by the beach patrol for "driving erratically." The ground clearance really limits movement, but I found that as long as I kept my speed above 15, and preferably 20-25, then I could keep going.

So, to recap, the Element is not the best vehicle for it, but it'll do. And there are plenty of people just waiting to show off their trucks and pull you out at Oregon Inlet, so its not a big deal if you do get stuck. Just lower your tire pressure and try to keep up some speed...but its bad form to go past a beach cop at 20-25 mph in 1st gear with the engine "screaming" at over 6000 rpm and bouncing from wall to wall in a set of tire ruts. You will get pulled over for that one! ;)

...but its bad form to go past a beach cop at 20-25 mph in 1st gear with the engine "screaming" at over 6000 rpm and bouncing from wall to wall in a set of tire ruts. You will get pulled over for that one! ;)

Did he give you a ticket?:confused:

Did he give you a ticket?:confused:

Nah, he was nice enough to let me go with a warning and a lecture about the importance of ground clearance. Not that I was actually doing anything wrong (I think); he probably assumed I had been drinking or something since I was swerving so violently, but I was just trying to get out of tire ruts!

Ben

Nah, he was nice enough to let me go with a warning and a lecture about the importance of ground clearance. Not that I was actually doing anything wrong (I think); he probably assumed I had been drinking or something since I was swerving so violently, but I was just trying to get out of tire ruts!

Ben

Good to know, I saw someone get pulled over on that beach because they were towing/pulling a canoe with people in it, the canoe was not in the water. Don't know the outcome but he had them there for a long time.

Good to know, I saw someone get pulled over on that beach because they were towing/pulling a canoe with people in it, the canoe was not in the water. Don't know the outcome but he had them there for a long time.

HA... sounds like what we do in the Fields of NE after it snows... toboggan pulled by truck... LMAO... some people just dont know how to have fun:grin:

HA... sounds like what we do in the Fields of NE after it snows... toboggan pulled by truck... LMAO... some people just dont know how to have fun:grin:

I have pulled a boogie board down a drainage ditch in the Outer Banks, with my motorcycle.

A ski rope, a 3 wheeler, and a skateboard. Lots of fun 'til you hit a rock. :???:

It was unbelievably flat in South Louisiana so us kids of the mid 70/80's had to invent our own ways of high speed skateboarding. :-D

Recently took the E to Freeman park in Carolina Beach, NC... here are some pics
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii119/reaperzune8/Element/DSC00282.jpg
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii119/reaperzune8/Element/DSC00297.jpg

The sand was fairly soft and deep in parts and hit the underside but i didnt really have any problems... oh and BTW those are the new tires :rolleyes:

I'm curious has anyone ever taken there Element through Deep Sand??

I go to the Great Sand Dunes every year and there is a long trail of deep sand to get to the good camping sites that aren't the ones at the main entrence where you're next to 50 people. I wonder how the E would do through that.. I'm considering taking my Element instead of the Range Rover this year, mainly because 4 days in Sand really caused mayhem on my nice leather interior and I still find sand haha The element would be much easier to clean out and plus it would cost me a lot less in Gas

here is a link to the trail report, it is the easiest trail I"ve ever driven in my life , I've never seen the water crossing above 18inches If it weren't for the Sand I'd take a honda civic on this trail

http://www.traildamage.com/trails/index.php?id=53

My '04 2wd Ex does fine on the beach. I just try my best to avoid dunes of any size.

ive gone in deep sand and the e handled it fine and my tires are awful

Used the rope (see sig)
same beach at night though, hit a soft spot and the 4wd may have been overheated at the time as it didnt kick in(i had been playing rough earlier)... got her pretty stuck... got it out no problem with my friends Tundra... nothing is hurt as far as i can tell... well other than my pride... pictures to follow

i tryed getting it stuck today in a water crossing with water past the bottom of the door and it made it right through....just kept my foot in it

Has anyone driven there E on the beach and if so, did you have any problems?

Thanks for your replies

This is one of many threads on the subject:
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39773

Go to the "off the beaten path" thread and look around. :)

But to answer your qusetion, I think you are ok as long as you stick to the packed sand. People seem to get in trouble when they get overconfident and drive into the deep soft suff. I personally have not tried it yet, I'm going to the Outer Banks the end of this month then again the end of July. I will let you know how it goes. :D

I’ve been going fishing on OBX for about 19 years now but always took my trusty old 79 CJ. The only advice that I can offer is make sure that you lower your tire pressure really low. I go down to 7 lbs on the CJ but it has pretty big tires. Always end up pulling out some big SUVs. I would have to experiment with tire pressure on the Element.

Let us know how you make out.

I also wrestled with the 5 speed or automatic thing. Drove both, didn’t help. Finally saw the specs on the high gear ratio on both and the automatic was higher so that was the clincher. Better gas mileage.

Been restoring and painting cars for as long as I can remember and between my wife and I we have six cars on the road. I guess you can say we love cars.

Welcome aboard rusler, and thanks for the info!

welcome to da cult..:D

I think the packed sand on the beach will not be a problem. Most people get in trouble going over the dunes to get to the beach. Stay out of the tire tracks; just kind of straddle them so you don't bottom out. Also send someone to the top of the dune to make sure the way is clear. Most people get stuck at the top in the soft sand when they have to stop for someone coming the other way.
se

http://therealouterbanks.com/cape-hatteras-beach-driving-rules.html


Better enjoy the time on the beach while you can....the naturalist have filed legal documents to prohibit four wheelers on the OBX due to birds and turtle's nesting areas being disturbed...a Federal Judge has ruled for temporary access in a limited area until a plan can be worked out that is acceptable to the naturalist and the majority public interests groups such as buisnesses and sportsmen who would suffer greatly if the beach access is denied...Already this year someone has intentionally damaged a nesting area resulting in expansion of the restricted area, not to mention the maximum fine of 5K$ and/or 6 months imprisonment...not wanting to lecture but just trying to make everyone aware what is at stake. It is bad enuff that the gas will never be the same as it was a year ago and now access to one of the most popular places for fisherman and beach-goers in the world is at risk of being closed down because of the irresponsible actions of a few....

Ok so at 1 AM I am loading up my E and taking 3 other people with me to the OBX...right into TS Hanna (or hurricane if she increases by then). Is this a bad idea?

Besides the storm, is the E gonna handle the gale force winds they are saying I'm gonna have to drive in? Any driving tips to make driving in those conditions safer (besides staying off the road :wink:)?

Any additional tips about driving on the soaked beaches? Specific tire pressure related to sopping wet sand vs dry packed sand?

TIA!!:D

ahh u should be fine..... its less than 60 mph winds...... winters in canada can reach up to 75 mph winds at times.

Get a 12 volt compressor to assist on the beach. On the beach, you can go down to about 20-25 PSI, but make sure you reinflate to proper road pressures once you're back on solid ground. Note: This is also based on the sand conditions, if it looks soggy, DON'T GO THERE. Keep your speed down and carry some 3 ft. planks of 2x6, that will handle MOST of the mild stuff you could encounter. Above all be safe and pay attention to your intuition, it's there for a reason.
Good Luck and Drive Safe.

When I go out on the beach I carry 3 or 4 3x3' plywood slabs. If you get a flat on the beach, you will need one for a stable footing for your jack. You will need another to place under foot wile you change the tire. You also should have a FULL SIZED spare, and a tire pressure gauge. As always on the beach a shovel.

Depending on the sand type, I will drop the tires down to 10 lbs. If it's rocky sand I don't go that low. Be sure to have a compressor to re-inflate your Tires.

The plywood will go under the tires if you get stuck. I find it's easier to put down the plywood, jack up the car, and then place the plywood under the tire. ( it beats digging ) Do both front tires first !!! That's the reason for 4 of them.

Good luck

Dom

Thanks guys! I actually headed out and ended up not having internet access so I didn't get to see your replys until now but....I put up a new thread with pix :D

No flat tires thankfully. I did get stuck twice--once on softer wetter sand--that was no good but it wasn't my fault and I told my bf who was driving not to go there...he just didn't listen to me like usual. Didn't take much to get hEr out though. He pulled a couple handfuls of sand out from the drivers side front tire, I backed her up then took off without issue.

The next time we got stuck we were loaded down, 4 adults and all their luggage, and just bottomed out in a deep rut that after a week just became too much for the low E (compared to the monster pick ups/jeeps most were driving in that area). No worries though, 3 guys pulled some sand from the tires then pushed me as I backed hEr up to before we got stuck then I just put her in drive and drove across the ruts to flatter stuff.

Both times was no biggie. I do have a question about the 2nd time but that belongs on a different forum so I'll go put it over there.

We had a blast but if I ever go there again I will be renting a Jeep Wrangler--10.3 miles up the beach was a lil harder on the E than I'd prefer (under carriage getting clunked and rubbed etc) so instead of doing damage to my E I'd rather beat-up a Wrangler :wink: which seemed to be the vehicle of choice out there.

Just have some questions before I pick up a new element. I see a lot of pics here and some of you guys do some crazy offroading. I am wondering if I should get the 4wd. The most I will be doing is maybe some big puddles (roads by me get flooded a lot), dirt roads and snow. I am looking to get the 4wd but am wondering...

Is the 4wd system good or more of a marketing just to say you have 4wd? Is it actually functional as far as getting through rougher terrain then the fwd?

I understand how it works but when it engages and disengages does it clunk or bang or make noises?

Lastly on paper it seems severely underpowered with appox. 160hp. Could it handle the beach?

Thanks

I have the AWD and love it, I used to live in Tahoe and it was awesome on the snow. Now, at m ranch, i can cross creeks and climb gullys without a problem. I really dont hear any noises when it ativates but, my hearing could just suck!

The 4wd of the E is functional and will help you in many situations over the fwd version but that is not to say that a skilled driver could take their fwd E everywhere a 4wd E could go. I would opt for 4wd if you will see snow and/or dirt roads often.

The E is not underpowered by any means. The 160hp is plenty in this size box.

The E is not underpowered by any means. The 160hp is plenty in this size box.

160hp does seem awfully low for a little over 3500lbs.

Its only underpowered for highway on ramps. The shorter, the more underpowered it is.

Other than that, it moves just fine even with the less powerful engine and 4spd in a <2007 model.

As for 4wd...Its not. Its AWD. It won't do what real offroad vehicles do, but it'll keep up with all the firetrails and snowy roads you'd probably actually take it down in your travels.

The E does well off road. It's not conventional ( real ) 4WD. It only comes on when it's needed. It's not on all the time, like AWD is. That is what saves the tires and fuel mileage.

There are places that I have taken my 4X4 that I would not take the E. It has to do with the amount of ground clearance more than anything else.

A good driver can take the E just about anywhere a normal 4X4 can go. Just keep in mind the height of the E.


As for the noise when it kicks in and out, If you don't feel it, you wont hear it.

It's not all that noisy. If fact, sometimes it is almost completely silent.

Dom

The only time I have had any thought that the E was underpowered is when I am towing a heavy load up a highway on ramp with an incline. Other than that I never have any problems. It is the same power to weight of the average automobile. The Subaru outbacks for the longest time had the same power to weight ratio and still do on the non-turbo models.

Thanks for all the replies. I dont plan on doing any heavy offroading where i would need a lot of ground clearance. Really just grass, dirt roads, big puddles, snow ect... I am happy to hear about the engine too.

I think you would be very surprised by the E. If you have not taken one out on a good extended test drive, do so.

That's right. It was a longer test drive that took me from "I wonder what Elements are all about" to "I'm ready to sign" over the course of a half hour. Three years later, I like the Element even more than I did that first day.

I would agree with what is being said here. The Element is a great vehicle on dirt roads and snow, and areas where high clearance isn't required. It's a decent hauler of people and gear and bicycles. It has so far gotten us everywhere we wanted to get to, even in rough or slick conditions. :D

I would say if you get snow, you want the 4WD. I don't go "heavy offroading" but I've been REALLY glad to have it quite often in the winter.

Is the 4wd system good or more of a marketing just to say you have 4wd? Is it actually functional as far as getting through rougher terrain then the fwd?



Welcome,

What do you drive now?


If you've got something FWD and have been doing fine in the winter a FWD E will be about the same.

A FWD E will also get you down (and back) plenty of dirt roads/trails.

If you've got something 4WD you might not want to go w/ FWD now that you've been spoiled by theextra traction.

If you want the sunroof, or to geta little more adventurous, or normally have difficulty in the snow.... get the AWD.


Will

Jynx,

I don't think the E is underpowered. I haven't had mine on a beach.

The 4WD engages whenever the FWD slips -- usually on wet, icy, or snowy pavement. Thus, I can feel it, but it doesn't make a clunks or any other sound that I can remember hearing.

FarStar