I have a new CX-5 AWD with decent clearance and I am wondering of any wise old OzBargainers have ever driven one on the beach? I'm not talking about full-on Bush Tucker Man adventures, just simple trips up and down beaches such as those around south-east Queensland (Bribie Island, Coolola, Straddie etc). I've driven "proper" 4WDs such as Landcruisers and Landrovers at these places quite a lot, so I'm familiar with the usual conditions, but I'm wondering if the CX-5 might be up to a few short jaunts as well. Any issues with traction control, diffs, or limited low-range gearbox options? Useful advice or points to ponder most welcome!
Anyone Driven a CX-5 Akera on The Beach?
Losakajin on 01/02/2021 - 20:52
Comments
Salt water would be a worry afterwards.
The salt laden sand in all the nooks and crannies is great.
I think the biggest issue would be the stock tyres that the Akera comes with - they are pretty much sealed road tyres - and even if deflated significantly will they provide enough traction with the type of sand driving you might encounter. Then there is potential clearance issues in deeper rutts but if you are driving in firmer packed sand, you might be OK. I am sure if you jump of FB there will be an aussie mazda group focusing on off-roading (I drive a Forester SJ XT turbo petrol with aftermarket tune and it does OK on the sand)
Road tyres are better for sand. You want them bald if possible (if you cant get Paddles).
Off road tyres ie: Mud Terrain etc just cut into the sand and you end up beached.
You are correct, but I think he is referring to the tyre profile. With low-profile tyres you can't let much air out before you risk damaging the rim if hitting a hidden rock or something. With a higher-profile tyre you can let them down much more before having the same issue.
CX-5 Akera comes with low-profile tyres. If you get into a situation where you need to drop it to 15-20psi then you need to start worrying more about the rims than you would with high-profile tyres.
Do it and then upload to youtube.
BTW This is why people shouldn't buy demos.
it seems that the wheels in the ground are not turning. why is that ? no diff lock ?
Sort of, but in this situation it'll be traction control sending power to the wheels without traction.
seems so, I was just curious as I haven't driven any cars with AWD or traction control.
@bazingaa: Nah, this is just how differentials work. The wheels with least resistance get the most power
Drive between the flags
you’ve has some experience on sand, so questions you need to answer before you attempt:
how soft is the sand? Drove two beaches over summer 1st I was in 2wd most of the time and didn’t use low range except at the very steep beach access ramp. 2nd was really soft and my 4wd ute was plowing sand underneath a fair bit when in ruts. There was a forester on the second beach going ok.
Will your ground clearance suit the particular beach?
How good is the awd system? Will it drive all four wheels quickly enough, or does it have an off road mode? Some systems take too long to kick in the rear drive or don’t send enough power rearward which is not good in sand.
What profile are the tyres? Will you be able to drop the pressure successfully? May not be a problem on ‘easy’ beaches.
Take a mate with you with some recovery gear and remember: low tyre pressure and shovelling before snatching.
I have driven a Subaru XV on soft sand (Blacksmith beach and Stockton)
a) Road tyres are OK for sand.
b) You want smallest rim and biggest profile on the tyre. The less profile the less helpful lowering tyre pressures will be.
c) Lower your tyre pressures to 15 psi to begin with. Take a tyre pump.
d) Take recovery tracks and a shovel, some beer to give to your rescuers.
e) 19cm of clearance is not high clearance. Plus, adding occupants and cargo and tyre deflation you will lose height. Plastic trims esp at the front of the car and the back may rip off if constantly rubbing against sand. My xv had a metal plate instead of plastic tray under the engine.If you stop moving forward, do not persist. Try to reverse. If you cant reverse and you cant go forward - do not persist - get your passengers out and help push. If that doesn't work, try recovery tracks. If that doesn't help, Wait for rescuce. Spinning the tyres on sand means you end up beached-as-bro and will make recovery harder.
Get a hitch (big 5cm square) tow bar, it'll help to extract you backwards.
Get a snatch strap rated to .. 2 to 3 times weight of your car. Have your towbar pin and beers ready.In my XV most amusing I found was that the engine and gearbox is such that you have low power at low revs, so I had to drive around in 1st all day. And at speed too! I couldn't move slowly, I had to move … with gusto.
Also, hills .. on sand .. any tiny hill, meant I couldn't go up it.
Also, driving out of a tyre track was very difficult in the XV. I couldn't build up enough power to come off the track. Until I realised i'd have to go forward to pick up speed and then suddenly-ish turn.Good luck! take a buddy
NB: I know you said you're experienced but I thought i'd add detail for other home viewers planning on similar.
Next week's forum post..
.How would you go about recovering a friend's CX-5 Akera from a beach?
The CX-5s AWD system is designed for tarmac traction for soccer mums not 4WD in sand.
If the CX5 is anywhere near as capable off-road as its big brother the CX9 you'll be fine….you can take them anywhere - https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2854217634791647…
No, just no.
Just being able to take it offroad without getting stuck does NOT mean the car is capable of it being an offroader, nor does it mean it won't suffer damage for doing so.
There are a lot of things soft-road vehicles are missing from the factory to make them safe and reliable to be used off road. You may get a way with it for a while, but you can potentially be causing catastrophic damage to your vehicle by doing the offroading you showed in the pics if your car is not setup for it. Just because it didn't fail immediately doesn't mean there wasn't damage done.
Did you look at the link? I suspect you missed a large element of sarcasm.
Yes I think you are right… I missed that is was a page for a towing company
I just assumed he was serious becauce there are many people who actually think their soft-roader is a capable off-road vehicle.
@sheamas88: Yeah definitely joking….hence the link to the pic.
We have a CX9 and it stays on the black stuff.
I think it would be largely dependent on beach conditions. If you went not long after some good rain, I reckon you'd probably do ok. As you know though, south east Queensland is often quite dry, and the sand can be quite soft. The popularity of these beaches also mean that they get chopped up again quite quickly.
My experience with both Bribie and Teewah is that whilst the beach itself can often be okay, the access tracks (including Freshwater Track) and the accesses on and off the beach can be quite choppy and rutted. With a solid right foot and traction control off you'd quite possibly make it, but I'd be worried about the under body sustaining some damage in the process (or ripping a bumper clean off).
As others have said too, I'd also be worried that the low profile tyres wouldn't lend themselves well to airing down - again not much of a concern if the sand is firm, but if it's dry you're going to have to, as the CX-5 isn't exactly light.
Bribie - possibly. As long as you take the entrance that is a creek which is hard sand that any 2wd can handle. And then make sure you only drive on firm sand.
Straddle and Cooloola - hire or borrow a 4x4 for these. A cx5 will not cut it.
Do they have good rated recovery points?