Stuck in sand - Honda Pilot

DannyP · 09-09-2010, 01:43 AM

Hello,

I have 2009 Pilot EX-4WD(automatic trans).

I took it to the sand dunes last weekend, My car was trapped in sand.
I had air down front and rear tires to about 18psi just before enter the sand terrain.

I engaged vtm-4 lock with 1st gear but none of wheels were moving with vtm-4 engaged. I tried 2nd gear with VTM-4 engaged, and also with reverse gear, but any of wheels were moving at all. I stepped on gas peddal hard enough, the RPM was gone up to about 3500, but would not go any higher.
After all, I turned off VTM-4 and changed gear to "D" and stepped on gas, the front wheel started to spinning but rear wheels were still not moving at all.
but I was lucky enough to find people to help me out, they pushed my car out by bare hand, so I was able to escape from stuck, but I was very frustrated

Because I thought VTM-4 would "lock" the diffrential which distributes same amount of power to the front and rear wheels, but i dont understand how come any of my wheels were not moving with vtm-4 engaged.
My guess is, honda's vtm-4 system has very sensitive TCS with it, so if it detects slip, it would kill the power to the wheels...
However, what is purpose of paying all the extra bucks to get 4wd rather than 2wd if all 4 wheels are not moving at all?
My Honda-4wd was not doing its job when it was expected to "work"

My experience with honda vtm-4 was terrible enough to made me decide not to buy Honda 4WD again.

Does anyone had same issue here?

jl_ss · 09-09-2010, 08:01 AM

VSA was cutting engine torque and deploying your brakes to prevent excessive wheel spin. Did you try turning it off?

DannyP · 09-09-2010, 12:23 PM

jl_ss: I didnt know VSA was cutting the power off( I had called dealler but they did not even mention about turning VSA off)
I should try it with VSA off next time,. Thanks

but can you tell me how to shut off VSA?

rocky · 09-09-2010, 12:51 PM

Danny: I think a review of your owners manual for VSA and VTM4 would be a good move and help you prepare for the next trip.

Mechanically there isn't much difference between the first gen and second gen Pilots, so this thread still has relevance.

Pilot on the beach?

I think you aired down before you got stuck, if not do it next time. Sand driving is quite different from anything else. The surface can vary considerably.

Any photos of your stuck?

DannyP · 09-09-2010, 01:47 PM

Thanks for your reply, rocky.
I could not take the picture of stuck cause i was in panic little bit

I took a picture of my car just before got stuck.. I will upload it soon.
but I will take your advise to read owners manual more carefully.
Thanks

jl_ss · 09-09-2010, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannyP

jl_ss: I didnt know VSA was cutting the power off( I had called dealler but they did not even mention about turning VSA off)
I should try it with VSA off next time,. Thanks

but can you tell me how to shut off VSA?

Check page 436 of your manual.

sblvro · 09-09-2010, 02:01 PM

call a GM tow truck

offroader · 09-09-2010, 02:15 PM

DannyP · 09-10-2010, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocky

Danny: I think a review of your owners manual for VSA and VTM4 would be a good move and help you prepare for the next trip.

Mechanically there isn't much difference between the first gen and second gen Pilots, so this thread still has relevance.

Pilot on the beach?

I think you aired down before you got stuck, if not do it next time. Sand driving is quite different from anything else. The surface can vary considerably.

Any photos of your stuck?

We got stuck after taking this picture..where the dunes begin to slope

offroader · 09-10-2010, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannyP

We got stuck after taking this picture..where the dunes begin to slope

Very cool...

dhofar · 06-07-2011, 11:10 AM

Quote:

My experience with honda vtm-4 was terrible enough to made me decide not to buy Honda 4WD again.

In my country there're many beaches that one could drive around for hours ,, yes honda pilot 2011 not the best choice for low power torque but still it could handle many offroad driving even in loose sand . just keep in mind to switch off the VSA it does bloody horrible thing in the loosey track when tires begin to spin .. I've been through a similar situation .. offcourse other precautions should be considered when driving in a deep loosey sand

kappaknight · 06-13-2011, 01:55 PM

Does VSA off have a light? I pressed it a few times the other day and nothing lit up. Not sure if it was actually working.

whizmo · 06-13-2011, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kappaknight

Does VSA off have a light? I pressed it a few times the other day and nothing lit up. Not sure if it was actually working.

The button doesn't have a light, but an indicator on the dash should come on.

- Mark

dhofar · 07-04-2011, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Does VSA off have a light? I pressed it a few times the other day and nothing lit up. Not sure if it was actually working.

yes it does just keep pressing for about 3 seconds to swtich off vsa

09-09-2010, 01:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
DannyP Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: CALIFORNIA Posts: 11 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Stuck in sand Hello, I have 2009 Pilot EX-4WD(automatic trans). I took it to the sand dunes last weekend, My car was trapped in sand. I had air down front and rear tires to about 18psi just before enter the sand terrain. I engaged vtm-4 lock with 1st gear but none of wheels were moving with vtm-4 engaged. I tried 2nd gear with VTM-4 engaged, and also with reverse gear, but any of wheels were moving at all. I stepped on gas peddal hard enough, the RPM was gone up to about 3500, but would not go any higher. After all, I turned off VTM-4 and changed gear to "D" and stepped on gas, the front wheel started to spinning but rear wheels were still not moving at all. but I was lucky enough to find people to help me out, they pushed my car out by bare hand, so I was able to escape from stuck, but I was very frustrated Because I thought VTM-4 would "lock" the diffrential which distributes same amount of power to the front and rear wheels, but i dont understand how come any of my wheels were not moving with vtm-4 engaged. My guess is, honda's vtm-4 system has very sensitive TCS with it, so if it detects slip, it would kill the power to the wheels... However, what is purpose of paying all the extra bucks to get 4wd rather than 2wd if all 4 wheels are not moving at all? My Honda-4wd was not doing its job when it was expected to "work" My experience with honda vtm-4 was terrible enough to made me decide not to buy Honda 4WD again. Does anyone had same issue here? Last edited by DannyP; 09-09-2010 at 02:05 AM.

09-09-2010, 08:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
jl_ss Super Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: MA Posts: 3,789 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	VSA was cutting engine torque and deploying your brakes to prevent excessive wheel spin. Did you try turning it off? Last edited by jl_ss; 09-09-2010 at 01:48 PM.

09-09-2010, 12:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
DannyP Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: CALIFORNIA Posts: 11 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	jl_ss: I didnt know VSA was cutting the power off( I had called dealler but they did not even mention about turning VSA off) I should try it with VSA off next time,. Thanks but can you tell me how to shut off VSA? Last edited by DannyP; 09-09-2010 at 01:41 PM.

09-09-2010, 12:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
rocky Super Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Red Sox Nation Posts: 6,697 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Danny: I think a review of your owners manual for VSA and VTM4 would be a good move and help you prepare for the next trip. Mechanically there isn't much difference between the first gen and second gen Pilots, so this thread still has relevance. Pilot on the beach? I think you aired down before you got stuck, if not do it next time. Sand driving is quite different from anything else. The surface can vary considerably. Any photos of your stuck? __________________ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris...19131498101662

09-09-2010, 02:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
sblvro Super Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: chicago&michigan&arkansas Posts: 1,983 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	call a GM tow truck __________________ 2003 starlight silver pilot EX-LRES 2003 black onyx Lexus IS300 1988 mitsubishi galant sigma 203000 miles and running 2006 evolution IX MR(RIP) 2009 black raven escalade hybrid http://www.doctorownedcars.com/

09-09-2010, 01:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
DannyP Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: CALIFORNIA Posts: 11 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks for your reply, rocky. I could not take the picture of stuck cause i was in panic little bit I took a picture of my car just before got stuck.. I will upload it soon. but I will take your advise to read owners manual more carefully. Thanks

09-09-2010, 02:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
offroader Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Omaha Posts: 87 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	__________________ 2011 EX-L 4WD Silver 2008 Land Cruiser Silver

06-13-2011, 01:55 PM	#12 (permalink)
kappaknight Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 106 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Does VSA off have a light? I pressed it a few times the other day and nothing lit up. Not sure if it was actually working.

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