SkyHigh

Taking a trip to Pensacola Beach where the beach sand is like sugar. If I venture into the sand, should I use the ECT snow mode or will AWD get me through it. I know the snow mode keeps the RX from slipping on icy roads when taking off but is useful in any other conditions?

Shonuff

i have no problems on padre island, texas..........in regular mode. i have tried to get it stuck in the "powder"....dry loose sand. i found a good deal of powder and came to a complete stop. the awd got me right out of it.........just gave it a little gas and no problems. this is what it was designed for...........not serious off roading, just the little situations like this. feel confident......you are in good hands.

Lil4X

When I lived in the area several years ago, the locals called it "sugar sand" - and it's a good description. The problem isn't traction, it's flotation. South Padre beaches have lots of soft, loose sand, but nothing like the Florida "sugar". People who understand this sort of thing tell me it's because the individual grains are round, it's like trying to walk on a pile of ball bearings. Just walking on that beautiful white sugar sand causes you to sink in up to your ankles - driving on it will bury you to the axles. There used to be signs along the beaches warning motorists against driving on the sand. Local tow services have calibrated their rates just for us tourists. Watch what local beachgoers do. They're experienced.

With this in mind, enjoy (IMHO) the most beautiful beaches - and water - in the continental US!

Lexmexico

Living in Mexico with my RX, I sometimes am forced to offroad to get to certain places, including sand (nothing as deep as beach sand, though). I use snow mode in those occasions and with the rain which is really bad down here.

RX300wannabeIS300

My understanding was that the only thing that "snow mode" is good for is starting out in 2nd gear instead of the 1st one to help avoid initial spinning the wheels. AWD is what should help you drive through sand.

Anyone knows more details about the "snow mode"? Does it change anything else like throttle responce or any kind of "extra" braking?

Handogen

Snow mode works just as you described it... the only thing it does is eliminates first gear so you don't spin out when starting off.