Stuck in the mud...

[babble]

i have the button, (it was an extra of €24) and no 4 motion. ANYWAY You can turn it off without the button anyway, like this:

Disable ESP on T6 without ESP bottom.

Hi, In order to disconnect the ESP on those Californias that are not 4 motion, you need to follow few steps. 1.- Switch the contact of your vehicle on. 2. Start the emergency lights. 3. Press the throttle 5 consecutive times. You will hear a sound, the ESP is disable now. Check out this video...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[bigmac77]

We don’t have a 4motion, but am used to a 4wheel drive jeep, I think we just need to stop going into muddy grass!

It has been raining an awful lot in the last few months. I’d stick to paved surfaces until May.

 

[Lightning]

i have the button, (it was an extra) and no 4 motion. ANYWAY You can turn it off without the button anyway, like this:

Disable ESP on T6 without ESP bottom.

Hi, In order to disconnect the ESP on those Californias that are not 4 motion, you need to follow few steps. 1.- Switch the contact of your vehicle on. 2. Start the emergency lights. 3. Press the throttle 5 consecutive times. You will hear a sound, the ESP is disable now. Check out this video...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

I don’t think the button was an option available in the UK. It wasn’t on the options list anyway.

The disable method with the throttle is a ‘dyno mode’, and it only works if you leave the hazards on. May be useful get you out of a hole though.

 

[flying banana]

I seem to get stuck fairly often...it’s not just mud...

As long as you are not properly off road or on a beach the recovery is normally covered, carry a tow rope too, people are helpful.
View attachment 56225View attachment 56226

Love that

 

[bvddobb]

Letting out air to bring down the tyre pressure significantly can also be a big help!

 

[Wesel]

...
or maybe just snow chains to be honest, which are amazing for snow, and can help you out of a muddy emergency too.

Mounting chains on wheels already sunk in the mud ?

 

[Stuart]

Has anyone tried something like this?

Grasshopper Leisure

Grasshopper Leisure is the go-to place for outdoor leisure. Camping, caravan, campervan, motorhome equipment, awnings, tents, sleeping bags and more

www.grasshopperleisure.co.uk

 

[Deskman]

I had bought a pair of Fiamma grip system traction mats. They are absolutely useless for a car like the Cali, so beware of this product. Too light, too flexible, not grippy enough.

 

[Roger Boeken]

what I always have with me:



Multipurpose :
1.side by side as a rubber mat in front of sliding door on campsite (size= 120 x 22 x2,5 cm each)
2.level the cali on uneven underground , you can fold it 1-2-3 -or 4 times for 1,2,3 or 4 inch height, easier to ride on and off than classic ramps.
3. To drive away on wet grass, mud or ice and snow.
4. easy to stow away : rolled up, flat , folded whatever suits you
5. indestructable rubber and steel cable
6. downside: heavy and smells like most cheap rubber mats..

 

[Deskman]

what I always have with me:

And how do I get these too?

 

[Ksar-el-kebir]

Having got our Cali stuck today for the 3rd time in the 10 months since we bought it - how many of you out there have done this and what tips (apart from not going on grass in the first place! ) for getting them out!

All weather tyres 4motion and diff lock. Never been stuck. Also got sand ladders and snow chains. Never put snow chains on in 46 years of truck driving. Instead of putting them on we drew the curtains!

 

[Ksar-el-kebir]

what I always have with me:
View attachment 56389

View attachment 56390
Multipurpose :
1.side by side as a rubber mat in front of sliding door on campsite (size= 120 x 22 x2,5 cm each)
2.level the cali on uneven underground , you can fold it 1-2-3 -or 4 times for 1,2,3 or 4 inch height, easier to ride on and off than classic ramps.
3. To drive away on wet grass, mud or ice and snow.
4. easy to stow away : rolled up, flat , folded whatever suits you
5. indestructable rubber and steel cable
6. downside: heavy and smells like most cheap rubber mats..

Snap!

 

[Big Ron]

We’ve found front wheel traction pretty poor many times.(T5 180 DSG on 235/55 R17’s), even going up just wet inclines.
Our rubber matting doubles up as an escape tool when needed. Works really well, cleans off easily and packs away nicely. Jobs a good ‘un.

 

[Roger Boeken]

And how do I get these too?

I found it on amazon.de (traktionshilfe, grip matte, anfahrhilfe), some years ago .
I see it today on amazon.uk as "Emergency Tyre Traction Aid Mat"

 

[Velma's Dad]

I was thinking about getting a 12V winch to carry with me but they are not cheap and you need something to tie it off too. Tyre type is the most important change though. All season tyres are rubbish in snow compared to winter tyres for example.

100% echo your sentiment that a winch is only useful if you happen to have something secure to attach it to. In my experience (not with Cali!) there rarely is anything suitable in the place you find yourself stuck, and to overcome that you'd have to carry a very serious ground anchor which is unlikely to be practical unless you're in full expedition/overlanding rig.

If anyone ever does think about using a winch, be REALLY careful as they are potentially extremely hazardous. Actually you'd be strongly advised against it if you haven't had at least some basic do's/don'ts training first.

A basic tow strap on the other hand is cheap and easy to stow, and as said above there'll often be someone happy to give you a bit of a pull to get you out of trouble.

 

[Shadrack]

Interesting thread which is all to easy to happen to a heavy vehicle.

i managed to find an old brown bread tray on the beach whilst out walking. This came straight home with me and out came the jigsaw tool and from the bottom of tray I cut two fairly wide Flat strips.
now when on travels if the ground looks a bit dodgy I put these under the front driving wheels. I am on the lookout over the beach now after a storm to see if I can find suitable for rear wheels.

i do think there are many suppliers that you can buy similar. (Hopefully they are not bread trays)

 

[Taglish1]

Spent many years in a 'sweep team' providing rescue for rallies all over the world, and if you are in trouble without anyone reasonably close to rescue you then try deflating your tires to 18psi. Switch to manual and gently rock yourself out. Works in Sand, mud or snow. Do not drive over 40mph until you have opportunity to increase pressure. If you have a self inflating gismo you can drop the pressure to 12 psi without the tires coming off. The tires may need re-balancing.

 

[Velma's Dad]

Spent many years in a 'sweep team' providing rescue for rallies all over the world, and if you are in trouble without anyone reasonably close to rescue you then try deflating your tires to 18psi. Switch to manual and gently rock yourself out. Works in Sand, mud or snow. Do not drive over 40mph until you have opportunity to increase pressure. If you have a self inflating gismo you can drop the pressure to 12 psi without the tires coming off. The tires may need re-balancing.

Great advice, rally sweeps always have the best get-out-of-jail fixes!

 

[Sad]

Resurrection of old thread as still some useful advice!!

Plus also, this is our current situation:

First time for everything! Have dug out (with tent pegs!) just hoping the sun'll dry it out a bit...

 

[Alan Andrews]

what I always have with me:
View attachment 56389

View attachment 56390
Multipurpose :
1.side by side as a rubber mat in front of sliding door on campsite (size= 120 x 22 x2,5 cm each)
2.level the cali on uneven underground , you can fold it 1-2-3 -or 4 times for 1,2,3 or 4 inch height, easier to ride on and off than classic ramps.
3. To drive away on wet grass, mud or ice and snow.
4. easy to stow away : rolled up, flat , folded whatever suits you
5. indestructable rubber and steel cable
6. downside: heavy and smells like most cheap rubber mats..

Yes agreed. I have a pair of these. They stow nicely in to the under bench drawer. Work a treat.

 

[Sad]

Beer o'clock

 

[Mr T]

View attachment 108398
Beer o'clock

Well done!

 

[Neuromancer11]

Having come very close to getting stuck last week in my second trip out at the weekend, i need to think of a backup plan!

Just out on interest, I’m assuming a 2wd Cali doesnt have an LSD so just spins up one wheel when it looses traction?

 

[Sad]

Just out on interest, I’m assuming a 2wd Cali doesnt have an LSD so just spins up one wheel when it looses traction?

Certainly not to my knowledge!
We actually had both front wheels sunk