Damnit!

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I've never driven a 200, but I've got to think that using the crawl function in that scenario was just driver error. It's meant for when you want to "crawl."

Yes -- crawl UP slippery rocks. Like slate.
 
Gotta be something wrong? The one time I was stuck, I had all 4 wheels spinning trying to free myself. I never had any cut out or anything. I even remember my buddy telling me to cool it at one point because all it was doing was digging me in further.

Unfortunately I don't remember what I had on or off, but I'm pretty sure I was in 4lo with diff lock on and VSC off.

Excellent! Then nothing is wrong and the system will let you spin the wheels via throttle.
 
I found this in my manual. on page 238.I'll reproduce it here for the benefit of those that have not seen it and to clarify what I posted earlier.

"TO DISABLE ACTIVE TRC AND/OR VSC SYSTEM
If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud,Active TRC and VSC system may reduce power from the engine to the wheels.You may need to turn the system off to enable you to rock the vehicle in order to free it.

Turning off Active TRC
Quickly push and release the button to turn off Active TRC."
(this is the button next to the centre diff lock button and illustrates a car skidding and the word "off")
"The slip indicator light should come on.Push the button again to turn the system back on.

Turning off Active TRC and VSC
Push and hold the button for more than 3 second while the vehicle is stopped to turn off Active TRC and VSC.
The slip indicator light will come on and the "VSC OFF" will be shown on the multi-information display.
Push the button again to turn the system back on.

Turning off VSC
Push the centre differential lock/unlock switch to turn off VSC system.
The centre differential lock indicator light will come on and VSC OFF" will be shown on the multi-information display.
Push the switch again to turn the system back on."
 
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I found this in my manual. on page 238.I'll reproduce it here for the benefit of those that have not seen it and to clarify what I posted earlier.

"TO DISABLE ACTIVE TRC AND/OR VSC SYSTEM
If the vehicle gets stuck in fresh snow or mud,Active TRC and VSC system may reduce power from the engine to the wheels.You may need to turn the system off to enable you to rock the vehicle in order to free it.

Turning off Active TRC
Quickly push and release the button to turn off Active TRC."
(this is the button next to the centre diff lock button and illustrates a car skidding and the word "off")
"The slip indicator light should come on.Push the button again to turn the system back on.

Turning off Active TRC and VSC
Push and hold the button for more than 3 second while the vehicle is stopped to turn off Active TRC and VSC.
The slip indicator light will come on and the "VSC OFF" will be shown on the multi-information display.
Push the button again to turn the system back on.

Turning off VSC
Push the centre differential lock/unlock switch to turn off VSC system.
The centre differential lock indicator light will come on and VSC OFF" will be shown on the multi-information display.
Push the switch again to turn the system back on."

Thanks! I tried this earlier today and IT DOES WORK. In order to disable BOTH TRC and VSC, you must lock the CD and then HOLD THE TRC button for 3 seconds.

Now question 2: What is the difference between VSC and TRC? Maybe I'm just not getting what the difference is.

The way I see it, VSC is when the vehicle senses it's fishtailing, going sideways, or tilting too far. The TRC system is what needs to be disengaged to allow the wheels to fly free. Therefore, when you put the vehicle in 4LO, VSC is automaticly disabled (as seen on the info screen) BUT TRC is still on (even if you lock the CD). You MUST hold the TRC button for 3 seconds!
 
In order to disable BOTH TRC and VSC, you must lock the CD and then HOLD THE TRC button for 3 seconds.
Wow. Don't see it necessarily as a sarcasm from a low tech and jealous 80 owner, but IMHO wheelers will soon need a degree in astrophysics!
 
Wow. Don't see it necessarily as a sarcasm from a low tech and jealous 80 owner, but IMHO wheelers will soon need a degree in astrophysics!

No kidding! I'm not too sure why they saw a need to make you hold the button down. In 4HI you can just press it. I've wondered why I could never get TC off in 4LO!

Thanks mo.africa!! I will check my manual again, but I really don't ever remember reading it. And I've read it twice.
 
Yes -- crawl UP slippery rocks. Like slate.

You mentioned you were stuck in mud? Was this after the wet slate climb, or were you stuck in some sort of slate/mud concoction?

How did crawl work on the wet slate? Was it at least worth it in that situation?

The only time I ever used crawl control was on two occasions...
1. Uphill rock climb. It was a dream as I drank my coffee and steered with the other hand. My buds were all nice a jealous!
2. Negotiating a tough off camber, rutted and washed out, steep downhill. There was definately some benefit to the crawl in that situation as my inexperience in wheeling would have for sure left me in a very expensive predicament. Infact, in the past I had gone around that section because of my fear, but the crawl handled it no problem.

The Crawl Control has it's place, and mud isn't one of them.






BTW...Now I know why this site is called IH8MUD? For the longest time I thought it was some sort of sarcasm, but this Damnit thread explains. ;)
 
You mentioned you were stuck in mud? Was this after the wet slate climb, or were you stuck in some sort of slate/mud concoction?

How did crawl work on the wet slate? Was it at least worth it in that situation?

The only time I ever used crawl control was on two occasions...
1. Uphill rock climb. It was a dream as I drank my coffee and steered with the other hand. My buds were all nice a jealous!
2. Negotiating a tough off camber, rutted and washed out, steep downhill. There was definately some benefit to the crawl in that situation as my inexperience in wheeling would have for sure left me in a very expensive predicament. Infact, in the past I had gone around that section because of my fear, but the crawl handled it no problem.

The Crawl Control has it's place, and mud isn't one of them.






BTW...Now I know why this site is called IH8MUD? For the longest time I thought it was some sort of sarcasm, but this Damnit thread explains. ;)

LOL, I thought it was sarcastic too....until I had to drive in the stuff. It's nut fun giving the vehicle gas and having the system beep like crazy and tell you that you can't.

I've used crawl control both up and down some very steep stuff and it does work. BUT -- not when it's wet and the wheels are loosing traction. The area I was in had deep mud pits with inclines of slate rock. The mud wasn't on the slate, but it was wet. And my tires were packed with mud.
 
LOL, I thought it was sarcastic too....until I had to drive in the stuff. It's nut fun giving the vehicle gas and having the system beep like crazy and tell you that you can't.

I've used crawl control both up and down some very steep stuff and it does work. BUT -- not when it's wet and the wheels are loosing traction. The area I was in had deep mud pits with inclines of slate rock. The mud wasn't on the slate, but it was wet. And my tires were packed with mud.

It kind of peeves me that you spend all this money on an off-road vehicle, and then you need to upgrade tires for any serious off-road duty. This is why my first mod was tires. I've had the BFG ATs on for a while, and everyday I'm thinking of even upgrading to mud tires.

It just doesn't make any sense...when I bought my RS6 it came stock with P-zero tires...Z rated tires for a car that can go that fast. It would be like selling me the RS6 with all seasons.

Sounds like you need new tires:frown:.
 
It kind of peeves me that you spend all this money on an off-road vehicle, and then you need to upgrade tires for any serious off-road duty. This is why my first mod was tires. I've had the BFG ATs on for a while, and everyday I'm thinking of even upgrading to mud tires.

It just doesn't make any sense...when I bought my RS6 it came stock with P-zero tires...Z rated tires for a car that can go that fast. It would be like selling me the RS6 with all seasons.

Sounds like you need new tires:frown:.

I do need new tires, but I'm holding off for a bit. I want to do 33" BFG's on 17" TRD rims with a 3" lift from RadFlo, Total Caos arms, and OME springs. But I have to do it all at once or it doesn't make sense. It would be stupid to buy 33" tires for 18" rims and then replace them in a few months with 17" versions.

Wait....did I just describe your setup??? :grinpimp:
 
It just doesn't make any sense...when I bought my RS6 it came stock with P-zero tires...Z rated tires for a car that can go that fast. It would be like selling me the RS6 with all seasons.

I'm not trying to stab anyone in the eye, just playing devil's advocate.

What about all the people who buy an Audi and have to put snow tires on even though its AWD?

As far as I know there isn't one tire for every situation. Therefore, every (tire) choice is a compromise in another area.
 
I'm not trying to stab anyone in the eye, just playing devil's advocate.

What about all the people who buy an Audi and have to put snow tires on even though its AWD?

As far as I know there isn't one tire for every situation. Therefore, every (tire) choice is a compromise in another area.

x2!!

I have an old Audi A8 and because it has Z rated summer tires, I switch to 4 Blizzaks every winter. The Quattro system with 4 Blizzak's is the next best thing to a sled dog on piste. Heck, I even put snows on my LC200 and Wrangler JK (before I handed that over as a partial trade for my LC200).

The bottom line is: You must have the appropriate rubber for the situation. A lightweight running shoe good for the Olympic 200m dash will not serve one too well on a hike up the ragged Ventana Canyon. And vice-versa. :banana:

Its the contact patch, stupid.
 
Thanks! I tried this earlier today and IT DOES WORK. In order to disable BOTH TRC and VSC, you must lock the CD and then HOLD THE TRC button for 3 seconds.

Now question 2: What is the difference between VSC and TRC? Maybe I'm just not getting what the difference is.

The way I see it, VSC is when the vehicle senses it's fishtailing, going sideways, or tilting too far. The TRC system is what needs to be disengaged to allow the wheels to fly free. Therefore, when you put the vehicle in 4LO, VSC is automaticly disabled (as seen on the info screen) BUT TRC is still on (even if you lock the CD). You MUST hold the TRC button for 3 seconds!

Its a pleasure:)
 
Where's the pictures...still cleaning them up :o))
 

OK OK!!!! Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze.

I can't find any of my pics of the actual wheeling (I think my friend only took videos), but here are a few I took after the first automated car wash machine run-thru.

IMG_5836.jpg


IMG_5834.jpg


IMG_5831.jpg


IMG_5824.jpg


IMG_5823.jpg


IMG_5818.jpg
 
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Ok so the dealership called back and said that I fried my power steering pump, but they ordered one and are replacing it.

I did my best to clean off the undercarriage with a power washer and a sprinkler hose attachment but the dealership says its still PACKED with mud.

(The mud was up to my doors)

So this forum obviously has experience with mud (hence the title)...

How do you get all the mud out from the undercarriage??? Is there a good chemical to use in the pressure washer? Are there any good undercarriage wash shops?
 
Where is the mud?? This thing looks clean to me :)

BTW are they replacing the pump under warranty?
 
Where is the mud?? This thing looks clean to me :)

BTW are they replacing the pump under warranty?

Yeah...I thought you guys would laugh at me, lol. Like I said, these pics were taken the next day AFTER a quick carwash. When I opened my door, it had to push the mud off the running boards there was so much. You couldn't even see out of the sunroof. But I have no evidence other than videos from inside the car.

As far as the warranty, I'm pretty sure they are covering it. Power steering pumps shouldn't go out this quick. Mud should even make it easier on the system if anything (less traction to overcome).
 
Don't let them convince you that it was your fault the pump went out. I would actually make a case that it went out at the WORST possible time. While you were out in the field!
 

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