Off Road Driving (Beach)

[Halooch]

Hi,

I'm a 103 TDI Auto driver from Australia and was wondering if anyone had taken there Tiguan Off Road yet? In particular on the beach.

I'm interested in driving to the likes of Stockton Beach where the sand is quite cut up on the entrance to the beach. I know there might be issues with ground clearance but wondering if anyone has any experience of beach driving yet?

Cheers,
Eoin

[balkanac]

I dont see how Tiguan would be different from other soft roaders. Just let some air out of the tyres and you'll be fine

[phaeton]

Also read instruction manual

Welcome to the forums BTW

[Halooch]

Thanks for the welcome.

The strange thing is the manual says don't let air out the tyres.

[phaeton]

Ok maybe don't read the instruction manual

Talk to a local or a fellow softroader owner who has been on the beach before.

[NZTiguan]

Thanks for the welcome.

The strange thing is the manual says don't let air out the tyres.

That's probably cos it will set off the TPMS, but you can reset that and then reset it again when you pump them back up BUT make sure you DO pump them back up or you'll have all sorts of handling fun and games back on the "hard".

Cheers

[T&M]

Just digging up an early thread...

Having done a fair bit of offroading (mainly in full size 4WDs) the main thing to remember is the Tiguan is only a softroader with limited ground clearance. The soft sandy situations we get upon entry/exit to/from beaches can be a challenge if there is only little ground clearance.

Agree with letting the air out - but again be careful how much... not enough and it won't make any difference - too much and you may roll a tyre off if cornering too fast in extreme circumstances...

[mickofoz]

Maybe this is just my ignorance speaking, but could some please explain to me why you would want to drive your Tiguan or any vehicle for that matter, through salt water? I cringe every time I see people drive their expensive motor vehicles through salt water on the beach. Talk about signing a death certificate for the car. Don't people know that salt and cars don't mix or am I just showing may age here and people just don't care. I for one had to work hard to earn the money to be able to buy my Tiguan. You will not find my Tigga anywhere near a beach let alone in the salty sea water.

[team_v]

Maybe this is just my ignorance speaking, but could some please explain to me why you would want to drive your Tiguan or any vehicle for that matter, through salt water? I cringe every time I see people drive their expensive motor vehicles through salt water on the beach. Talk about signing a death certificate for the car. Don't people know that salt and cars don't mix or am I just showing may age here and people just don't care. I for one had to work hard to earn the money to be able to buy my Tiguan. You will not find my Tigga anywhere near a beach let alone in the salty sea water.

Gotta agree here.
I would never take any daily-use car on the beach for fear of rust and salt issues.

That is what 12+ year old 4x4's are for.

[Moonan]

I guess it's horses for courses - there are many of us who ouldn't buy a 4x4 without at least dreaming of taking it on the beach or into the bush. And make no mistake, you have all bought a 4x4. These modern names "SUV", "soft-roader", AWD" are just for marketing. My 1983 subaru proudly displayed the "4WD" badge on the bonnet and went anywhere I wanted to go on Fraser Island etc.
So, if you want to take your Tig on Stockton Beach, use the Birubi Point entry and exit, let the tyres down to about 15 PSI BEFORE leaving the gravel bit and going on the sand, take the corners fairly gently, consider using the tiptronic and holding the gears so you are running between 2000 and 3000 RPM all the time.