Turn ESP off while driving in sand?

[mustangpro]

Some say yes, others no. What's everybody's experience with ESP and sand? Also how do you turn it off? We're heading up to Carova Beach, NC for the week. :clap:I have to drive 7 miles up the beach to reach the beach house (3 miles from VA border). I'm also pulling a small trailer, so I'll definately air down.

[EmbarkChief]

You can turn ESP off in 4 hi by pressing the "ESP" button and holding it down for 10 seconds. You have to be standing still for this to work. It is a good idea for sand IMOP.

[mustangpro]

You can turn ESP off in 4 hi by pressing the "ESP" button and holding it down for 10 seconds. You have to be standing still for this to work. It is a good idea for sand IMOP.

Ahh..... I tried it while moving and I think it only went half way into off mode. Will the dash icon do anything different when it's all the way off?

[EmbarkChief]

When it is completely turned off a chime will sound and it will say "ESP OFF" on the odometer for a second.

[mustangpro]

Awesome!! Thanks for the advice guys!!!!! :)

[DallasJeeper]

That's good to know. Thanks for asking the question, and thanks for the answers.

[Seryoga]

Or you can do what most people do, just pull the ESP fuse out, and problem solved. ;)

[mustangpro]

:thinking: Hmmmm, I tried holding the ESP OFF button for more than 10 seconds while in neutral and I got nothing. The sliding car logo lit for a while and then went off. No chime or no ESP OFF signal. Is this an 08 feature?

[mustangpro]

Oh wait...... I had it in 2WD, I bet that was the problem.:crazyeyes:

[JacksJeep]

Yes, you need to be in 4HI, in neutral or park, to turn off the ESP. I've was just on the same beach this summer. You can definitely tell the difference if the ESP is on.

[EmbarkChief]

Of course when you put her in 4Lo it will turn off automatically...

[theicewall]

Does it automatically turn itself back on when you go from 4Hi to 2wd again or do you have to press the button?

[dyolfknip]

Does it automatically turn itself back on when you go from 4Hi to 2wd again or do you have to press the button?

When you go back into 2wd ESP comes back on.

[JacksJeep]

Or if you turn off the engine, and restart, the esp comes back on. That's how I know that it is a pain in the sand. I'd stop the Jeep on the beach and then forget to turn off the esp when I started the engine again.

[Ge99ne]

Or if you turn off the engine, and restart, the esp comes back on. That's how I know that it is a pain in the sand. I'd stop the Jeep on the beach and then forget to turn off the esp when I started the engine again.

That kept happening to me on the beach. I just keep mine in 4 lo on the beach now. I suppose I would pull the fuse for dune running. But it's not that limiting on a flatish beach like where you're headed. That stretch had a lot of different conditions last time I was there. There were sections you could probably run the mustang on during low tide. Let us know how the towing goes.

[goldtr8]

besides the espoff 8 to 10 psi makes a big difference.

[hig4s]

Mine will flash ESP OFF if I hold it while moving?? :thinking:

Are we saying it isn't really off? Never had any problem in moderate sand that way, even with my tires all the way aired up.

[TexsDream77]

I use low range on the beach. My temp gauge goes a little too high in high range at 5 to 10mph on the sand dunes. 4 miles of soft sand

[Ge99ne]

"Mine will flash ESP OFF if I hold it while moving?? :thinking:

Are we saying it isn't really off? Never had any problem in moderate sand that way, even with my tires all the way aired up."

No we aren't saying it's not off. Mine does fine with a single press of the button on the beach. But if you cross 25 mph it enables the ESP again. I've had that happen a few times. I didn't realize I was getting up tht fast on the hard packed sand untill I got back int he soft stuff. Then the ESP kills the gas pedal input. It feels very similar to digging & bogging down. So I keep it in 4-lo to keep it disengaged. So if you are somewhere with big hills where some speed is needed to get over the crest, you will have to use a bypass method-install toggle or pull fuse, to run in 4 hi without esp getting all overprotective on you.

[Woods]

Now I don't understand this completely, so if someone has better information then please post up. It's my understanding that you can permanently turn off the ESP.

Here is the procedure:

- In park or neutral and the parking brake on
- Start the engine and let it run for 5 seconds until the system bulb check completes
- Shift the transfer case into 4H
- Turn the steering wheel until it is centered and the wheels are strait
- Turn the steering wheel one half turn to the right and hold the wheel in this position
- Press and hold the ESP OFF button for 7 seconds and release just after the 7 seconds and wait for a chime
- Turn the steering wheel back to center then turn the steering wheel one half turn to the left. Hold the steering wheel in this position
- Press and hold the ESP OFF button for 7 seconds and release just after the 7 seconds and wait for a chime
- Turn the steering wheel back to center
- Press and hold the ESP OFF button for 7 seconds and release just after the 7 seconds and wait for a chime
- Turn the engine off

There are two indicators that the ESP is off;
1. The ESP tell tail in the instrument cluster will be illuminated
2. The odometer will display a "ESP OFF" message.
Repeat the above procedure to re-enable ESP.

I have a March 07 JK and I had to get the computer re-flashed to enable this option. Dealers usually charge for this to be done. I believe that the service bulletin number for this flash is 05-001-08

Oh and definitely turn off the ESP for sand. Especially if you want to have fun in 2WD in the sand.

[Dwikto]

comming in late on this one why do you want esp off at any time?

[50 Foot Face]

comming in late on this one why do you want esp off at any time?

When driving in the sand, you want and need a bit of wheel spin, slippage, and what not. ESP pretty much prevents those desirables so, when driving in sand, it's best to disable the ESP to avoid a bog down and a stuck. With the tide coming in.

Hope you enjoyed Corova Beach. Spent a week up there a few years back. The craziest thing I saw was two house being moved up the beach from Corrola, hot tubs still on the porch. Apparently it's cheaper to move and install on a new slab than it is to stick build 'em. The guy who has the moving company is a genius!

[mustangpro]

Well guys I made it back!!! WOW that was fun in a Jeep!!! In years past I've driven a Ranger and a 4Runner there..... the Jeep is by far more fun!

I didn't air down:sad2: and I did turn off ESP completely the whole time. Next time I go back I will air down though. It's crazy conditions out there, from the ramp all the way to the VA border is totally different. Since it was crowded on the shore I ran up in the soft stuff close to the dunes most of the time. Some places it was easy, other times I was sweating it. The only time I almost got stuck was while pulling the trailer (5' x 12', and loaded) and got in some deep soft ruts, it began to "hop" and came to a slow crawl, luckily I stayed in the gas and it got into better sand. At that point I realized that airing down would've been smart.

Also..... those 3.21 gears are crap for soft sand. 1st was too slow and 2 was too fast, kept wanting to bog down. Finally I just left it in 4LO, but on the nice open stretches I couldn't really get up speed. So 3.73 gears are in my near future.

I went offroading back off the shore onto the "streets" of Carova Beach right after a t.storm and found some fun water holes. On one I actually had water come over the hood, skeered the crap out of me, luckily it chugged right on through it with no problems, from that point on I went around them.

All in all the Jeep handled the soft sand very well. But I highly recommend airing down and turning ESP off. Keep up the wheel speed, and if you have 3.21 gears like me, prepare for some bog moments. I'll have some pics up soon.

[44magjeeper]

i aways turne off espwhen i hit the beach at fort fisher and carolina beach, best way to drive it is slow and steady, try to keep in the ruts the sand is packed down in them and makes it easy going

[texmexjeeper]

i would like to say that this has been a very informative thread guys, i just learnt so good things bout my JK i didnt know yet. thanks :ya::thumbsup::ya::thumbsup:

[Desert Fox]

I just spent the day out in the Anza Borrego Desert driving in sand, most of it deep. I might add that it was 112 degrees in the shade. Anyway, if I am in
4WD, high or low, I turn the ESP off, period. :yup:

[aznme1]

Sorry if I'm beating a dead horse, but I just want to get this straight.

If I just want to go for some moderate 4wheeling for a bit after I pull off the highway, I can just put the car in 4Hi, and hold the ESP button for 10 seconds until the chime and I'm good to go, and when I get back on the highway I can just press the button to turn it on again?

And if I want to do any extreme mud or sand 4 wheeling I should do the ESP/steering wheel thing? And how do I turn the ESP back on after I'm done with the 4wheeling?

[lc619fr]

Sorry if I'm beating a dead horse, but I just want to get this straight.

If I just want to go for some moderate 4wheeling for a bit after I pull off the highway, I can just put the car in 4Hi, and hold the ESP button for 10 seconds until the chime and I'm good to go, and when I get back on the highway I can just press the button to turn it on again?

And if I want to do any extreme mud or sand 4 wheeling I should do the ESP/steering wheel thing? And how do I turn the ESP back on after I'm done with the 4wheeling?

The ESP is stability control which I'm sure you knew. The problem is (even on road) the computer doesn't let you drive the jeep how you want to drive it, it drives it for you, you will really notice when you lift and you take a curve that you think you can take, the computer thinks you're rolling and will kick in the ESP and bog you down.

When 4 wheeling, in slick stuff like mud sand or any combination of the 2 and your rear wheels are spinning the esp starts up and stops it from spinning (it thinks you're not in control of your vehicle). When you engage 4 hi you can press and hold the ESP switch for a period of time, you will then hear a ding and it's off, and you're off to wheel your own way. Once you engage 4 Lo the ESP is automatically turned off. Some people do the steering wheel trick to turn off the ESP permanitly, I as well as many others have put in switches so we don't have to do a double top secret combination of codes to turn it on and off, I just put in a switch between the power sourse and the computer. I took me a total of an 1 1/2 hr and 45 mins of that was bullpoopin with guys at work.

Hope this helps

[aznme1]

Do you happen to have a write up or know where I can find a write up for the switch? That sounds like it would be very handy.

Yeah...I don't need a secret a society handshake with my car just to turn off the ESP. That's pretty sily. :rotflmao2:

[lc619fr]

this is the forum I followed by...http://jk-forum.com/showthread.php?t=18927&highlight=ESP+cut+switch...word of the wise follow the thread all the way through as some developments were made along the way. It's defenitly nerve racking cutting into your wiring harness especailly on a new jeep (and mine is a year old) but it's defenitly worth it. I found the right wire right away (and i'm color blind:thinking:) how I managed that I dunno. I also used the air craft type switch the has the toggle underneath a flip up style cover. PM if you need any help.

[J5627617123]

I agree. ESP is good for street driving. At slow speeds off road it doesnt buy you much.