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xc70 off-road abilities (sand)

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12K views 15 replies 7 participants last post by  notthestig  
H
#1 ·
I have an idea to go to Fraser Island (about 60 miles long and its off the coast of Queensland) get there by barge, there are no roads. travel is mainly via the wet sand beaches and to a lesser extent sand tracks. the 4wd's also let their tyre pressures down. so its hard going in the mainly soft sand of which this island mainly is.

just wondering if anyone has taken their xc's into a mainly sand environment. that is to say, just how much faith could i put in '08 xc70??

Cheers
Hatdriver
 
N
#2 ·
Re: xc70 off-road abilities (Hatdriver)

IMO, I wouldn't take any vehicle that didn't have full time 4WD onto sand.

The XC and most other vehicles of the type use electronic traction control to slow spinning wheels. So instead of powering through loose sand, you bog down and get stuck.

I do not think you can disable this, TRACS, on the XC's, can you?
 
J
#3 ·
Re: xc70 off-road abilities (Hatdriver)

Well, you have a 08 with an older generation haldex but I don't think it will be a problem.
Me and a friend sorted most issues on sand out:
Image

http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/...11947
If you like you can disable the DSTC mildly so that it allows wheelspin but not sliding.
In the sand the limiting factors are tires and ground cleareance and the slowest part, the driver. The XC70 won't give you problems.
 
H
#6 ·
Re: xc70 off-road abilities (silvesterkok)

Hello S,

thanks for the advice. also that looks like pretty soft sand going from the beach up the foreshore - how did it go there. in that position i would have done 10-15 mph run up to the ascent?? so you didnt disable anything (the traction device whatever it is).

i searched the archived sections of SS and they mention dont stop, lower the air pressure of all 4 tyres to 10 pounds or until you see them bulge, and try to avoid the deep ruts made by higher vehicles as the centre of the vehicle might get stuck up.

did you get bogged at all??
 
S
#8 ·
Re: xc70 off-road abilities (Hatdriver)

There is no problem at all on the beach soft sand or not. You're best in a D5 version because the engine has more power on low revs (regular has a high rev engine). The trick is take it easy until you fully onderstand driving in the rough. but some tips. Just drive onto the sand at a low speed but make sure you keep "enough" throttle to keep the car going. When standing still, move off slowly, do not floor the throttle, especially with the gasoline version this will dig in the car, because the "4WD" system kicks in too late when the front wheels are stuck and have lost grip. Another thing to take into account are the tires, they will fill with sand making them into slicks, even more reason to keep moving if you are new to this. Just a little other note. The alu rims will fill with sand on the inside, so when you get back on the road, you might feel a huge "unbalance" / shaking in the wheels, just make sure you clean them with a high pressure hose (and the car too, in case of a salty beach)
Whenever you need to go into the sea make sure you clean the whole car, bottom AND engine bay. That's about it. I have never been stuck with either the XC70's or XC90 or XC60. Sure you can get it stuck, but that's possible with a RangeRover or Landcruiser too, just use common sence...
 
H
#9 ·
Re: xc70 off-road abilities (silvesterkok)

Hi S,

Thanks will follow and keep you advised. still buying the camping gear and today got a blue coleman roadgrill. its big and of course the wife hit the roof. I will delay purchasing the 3 way chescold fridge freezer until she gets over the stove (i think the chescold is bigger!! oh well).

about 20 years ago i was in a 4x4 in winter in the snowy river and bogged it in the middle of a shallow swamp. the bloke i was with had a gun so i quickly offered to get out into the freezing water and pull the winch line about 100 foot to a dead tree. fortunately it pulled us out. off roading's never been the same for me since. i still get a chill just thinking about it. actually, yesterday joined an aussie 4wd forum and they advise there is a high pressure cleaner (they charge an arm and a leg) but i will get it done anyway. after the camping will be heading to the marriott surfers paradise which is more my speed for a few days so it should be a great hol.

If I get back i will post piccys. I am going to buy a shovel but if you have any thoughts about anything else i should take please let me know.

cheers & thanks again

Hatdriver
 
I
#13 ·
Re: xc70 off-road abilities (1999_V70)

Quote, originally posted by 1999_V70 »
Hit the DTSC button on the dash

Not on the dash anymore. It is located in the information display. I think you press either "read" or "reset" to toggle on/off.
 
H
#15 ·
Re: xc70 off-road abilities (I Roll)

Hi,

Ahhhh. will do.

just got a Waeco 12v 50 litre car fridge/freezer and made some inquiries with my dealer re the batteries installed in these vehicles. Seems they're pretty good, 720amp / heavy duty cycle. i will be setting the fridge/automatic cut-off (it detects when the battery is going flat and turns itself off to avoid flat bats) to medium (for medium sized vehicles).

Thanking you,
merry christmas
Hatdriver
 
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