A fun summer activity is driving on the beach, and as most of us seasoned drivers, we have cruised across all sorts of terrain. Yet, one of the most tricky surfaces to navigate is sand! San Diego is home to many beautiful beaches, and if you are looking to hit the waves, or shall we say sands, this summer, we recommend reading over these safety tips for beach drives:
- 4-wheel drive is a must! If you are in a sandy situation, 4-wheel drive makes getting out of the jam much easier.
- Pack lightly. The heavier your vehicle the more it will sink into the sand.
- Before you go, lighten your tire pressure. This way, your tires can roll a little easier. Reduced tire pressure will provide more traction, so you can move easier across the sand.
- Stay close to the water! The region between the high tide line and the water is the perfect place to drive, as the sand is packed the hardest.
- Keep an eye on the tide. Because it is best to stay close to the water, you want to keep an eye on how high the tide is creeping up. We recommend driving on the beach within two hours of low tide.
- Keep it slow and steady -- avoid hard braking. There is no posted speed limit at the beach, but a good rule of thumb is to never go over 25 mph. Driving slower and avoiding hard brakes maximizes your safety and minimizes your risk of getting stuck.
- Make sure to wash your vehicle after. The salty air has a way of quickly creating rust on your vehicle, and the sand seems to always get caught in all the crevices of our car. Don’t put off a wash; get it done right away to avoid lasting effects.
David Ely, the owner of Convoy Auto Repair, is very familiar with driving on the beach, as he would tow stuck beachgoers during the summertime when he was only 19 years old. If you have any questions about driving on the beach, he would be the one to ask. Schedule an appointment today with the team Convoy Auto Repair in San Diego. We are located at 3909 Convoy Street, San Diego, CA 92111 and look forward to seeing you soon.