The Nissan X-Trail is an excellent SUV for using in and around town during the week. Of course, one of the main reasons why this SUV is so popular is that it can be used for fun adventures at the weekend or on vacation. A popular activity for many adventure seekers is soft roading on sand on and around our beaches. To help our customers get the most out of their Nissan X-Trail, we have three top tips for driving on sand.

1, Tyre Pressures are Important

When you drive on sand, the pressure in your tyres is arguably the most crucial factor. It will determine the successful negotiation of the terrain. The pressure should be set to take into account your particular model; it’s weight and the tyre sizes you are using. Remember that sand as a terrain feature is quite different because it is always moving under your tyres. As you near the water's edge the sand will be much firmer and easier to drive on and up in the dunes, it could be very soft indeed. Experimentation may be necessary, but as a rule of thumb try setting your tyre pressures at the 20psi mark. You can go lower, but going below 16psi could increase the chances of rolling the tyre off the rim entirely. Always remember to take your tyres back up to a safe pressure before returning to a regular road surface.

2. A Shovel in Not Optional

When you soft road on sand it’s inevitable that sooner or later you will get stuck. This happens to the best off road drivers, it’s nothing to be ashamed, and it’s a common price to pay for driving on sand. When this happens you will know; stop trying to drive out of it because that will only dig you in deeper. You could try to reverse out, and this may work if you’re lucky and your tyres have created a ramp in the sand. If you are really bogged in you will need to get your shovel and dig your way out. Dig a shallow ramp, take your time, drive slowly and you will escape.

3. Take Some Traction Aids

Every off road recovery kit should contain some traction aids to help if you get really stuck on the beach. Once you’ve dug a ramp with your shovel, you can place these traction aids in front of the wheels to give you some much needed help. They should be negotiated using gentle and even acceleration to break free and move forward to a safe stopping point. Then you can recover the traction aids and shovel in case you get stuck again later.

If they are looking for a Nissan X-Trail, Perth based drivers should get in touch with us here at Perth City Nissan. We have a large selection of new, demo and pre-owned cars available including the new Nissan X-Trail 2018 models. We invite you to book a test drive with us, and you can experience the Nissan driving difference for yourself. If you require to finance your purchase, you will discover that our rates are very favourable and your repayments will be tailored to your lifestyle. Our sales team is standing by to advise you on the latest Nissan X-Trail price, and they will be happy to answer any other questions that you may have.