SO, I never had a vehicle with VDC before and am wondering: should i shut off vdc before hitting the sand at the beach, or will it help in some way???

thanks...

I usually leave mine on. I don't think it helps or hurts your performance on sand. If the noise gets annoying you can turn it off. If you want spin your tires and slide around it needs to be off.

Turn it off if you want to do donuts and throw sand everywhere

I'd turn it off for any off-road driving. If anything, it just puts stress on your vehicle to have it going off constantly.

thanks!!! I had a 2002 xterra that didn't have it.... do any of you know if the 2005+ is better on sand than the old 00-04's? or is it a wash??

I personally feel like the new gens were given better stock shocks, but that's only been my personal experience with an 04 and an 06.

Turn the VDC off. It will then give YOU full control of the throttle. There are times that it's beneficial to be able to use throttle control in slippery stuff. The VDC will detect wheel spin, and chop the throttle, leaving you potentially stuck!

The VDC switch has no affect on the ABLS. The ABLS makes the new platform much better in the sand unless someone has added lockers front/rear.

I've been off-roading in sandy FL for decades. I've owned vehicles that would get stuck just looking at sand. The new platform works so well, you'd have to REALLY try to get it stuck.

Hmm it does put stress on the x? I have left mine on this winter so far and it goes off a bunch. wodering if i should just shut it off or switch into 4x4. It seems to use alot of gas too.

cool.... so the new gen is better than the old gen as far as sand? i have an obx trip in june coming up, and plan on hitting all the tough spots... oregon inlet, the point, etc.....

:-)

The only stress it puts on the vehicle is the brakes.

VDC doesn't affect the brakes, it affects the throttle. When the VDC detects wheel slippage, it cuts power by cutting fuel.

ABLS uses the braking system.

how in the world would traction control cutting throttle hurt fuel mileage?

I don't think it will hurt your fuel mileage at all. Did I misstate something?

It also uses brakes to keep you on the road. ABLS is from wheel spin, VDC uses the brakes to correct if you start to slide.