phatintegra

Took my 2006 MDX with no towing pkg to the Outer Back in NC. I rented a beach house in Corolla 7-8 miles of all sand/dunes driving.

I have Pirelli Scorpion tires with tons of weight and with 3 adults and (2) toddlers in the vehicle that the rear was sagging . I drop the tire pressure down to 19.5-20psi. before I got onto the sand and switch the transmission to 2nd gear with VTM-4 turned on. I kept my speed up to 20mph on very soft deep sand manage to get a flat tire on the front passenger side. I think it was from all the weight and low PSI tires about the 6.5 mile mark but I got it to the beach house.

Couple of time it felt like the motor just bog down (motor shut off) but then it picked right back up and got my speed back up. I had a hard time controlling the steering (from the flat tire) but I just let the MDX pick a path (tire track). I got to the house and pulled the flat tire off the vehicle and the back side of the tire was full of little bubbles on the inside wall on the back side of the rim.

I'm sending my brother in-law into town with his 2011 Grand Cherokee to get the tire replace. Just can't wait to get the tire replace so I can start having real fun since all the weight is off the vehicle.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

The sand at Corolla is a lot more forgiving than the sand farther south.

Bubbling is usually caused by the belts slipping or failing in the tire, if the sand is packed like it usually is up there (i.e. your tire only sinks an inch or two) then 20 psi may be to low.

As a side note, isnt your SUV like 4k lbs? I thought those ATR tires were light truck all terrains.

phatintegra

It was very soft sand. The tire is place on order and it will be here the day after tomorrow. Going to send my brother in-law into town when the tire is mounted on the rim. This is when I have him pick up a portable air compressor. 25psi is better for the sand? I had 36psi before I took air out. All I was driving on very soft deep sand from other vehicles made.

I think my SUV is 4.5Klbs. I had these tires mounted last falls. Never had a problem with it till now.


EDIT: There was 5 adults and 2 toddler not 3 adults for got to count myself and my mother that was sitting up front

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

Whew, how many people does that truck seat?!

Yes, you are driving in the "ruts" created by the other trucks which is usually packed down.

My concern is that if you let that much air out again you may damage another tire. Unless you think the tire was already bubbling before you deflated it.

Did you try to navigate with 30 PSI?

phatintegra

No I have not. I read some where that another MDX owner took his tires down to 20psi so I figure I take down mine but I was not thinking with allot of weight I had in the vehicle and on the roof rack.

I'm going into town tomorrow to pick up my rim and I will get a portable compressor. I know I should of drove by the tide but it was getting dark and the high tide coming in so I did not risk it. I have heard stories with other vehicle getting trap in the high tide.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

how are things working out?

phatintegra

I got the rim and tire back on. I'm Going to adjust the tire pressure to 25psi. I think 20psi was a little to low. I may Take the MDX back out tomorrow with no weight and see how it perform if not it have to wait till Friday since we are planning for the whole family to head into town.

I already seen (2) SUV got stuck in the sand and (1) SUV took him 6 tires to get over the same dune that I got my MDX over with a flat tire on the first attempt. Seen the police on ATVs pulling people left and right on the beach.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

Ouch, good luck.

phatintegra

Drop the tire down to 25psi and it felt like I have more control. It perform really well. The only negative I have to say is being AWD it sit lower then 4wd. I can hear the sand being drag from under the vehicle.

I'm finally home but we are planing to head out to OBX again

Luke Cori

I had 4 people in the car, didn't air down at all and just stayed on the gas in D1-D2 VTM-4 LOCK, VSA OFF when I drove on the beach with my '03 in Corolla. These cars put plenty of power to all 4 wheels and I never even got close to getting stuck. Had to stop and wait for the "hot oil" warning to clear from my friend's '10 Wrangler about half way through :P - So much fun.

I was there in mid-April of last year, when the beach was empty and the sand asking to be shredded. I did easily as much damage as another friend in his Grand Cherokee with a 4.7 V8. People are always surprised to see what these Acuras can do when you let them breathe...

phatintegra

The belt is squealing and I had it checked out with a mechanic yesterday and they found sand on the pulley. I tried to wash it out with a water hose but what is the best way to clean it, pressure wash? I had the belt replace 2 years ago.

Gen4MDX

YIKES,

That is one reason my MDX will NEVER see sand. You might want to also check your air cleaner, brake discs, shocks and any other areas where sand may have entered.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

You definitely have to turn VSA off, that is great advice.

Yes you need to degrease and pressure wash the engine bay and undercarriage to combat the salt/sea spray and sand.

phatintegra

I did turn the VSA off when I got the new tire. The VSA was on when I got the flat tire. It did not cross my mind. Since the button was on the left side of the steering wheel and the VTM was on the right side of the steering wheel....

When I get some time I will pressure wash it at a coin wash. I just been really busy since I came back.

fxcarden

I just came back from the Outer Banks........drove my MDX right to the entrance to the beach and the first thing I saw was an Edge stuck to the doors in the sand. Turned around while still on pavement wondering why anyone would subject their own car to that. The next day, rented a Wrangler, and drove all over the beach with no issue, but that was a customized (fat tires, high schocks) Wrangler.