Lars

It's basically like any other automatic tranny. It will not select a gear higher than you have set via the lever/paddles. It's supposed to match engine speed when you down shift and that is unusual where automatics are concerned. Most just shove the gear and lock the clutches.

Hmm, actually I've heard and practiced the opposite. Rotating gears and moving parts have to be properly mated and work hardened. Initially those areas that are not properly matched will create localized hot spots and can overheat on initial hard use. For instance when you put new gears in a differential it's a good idea to drive it for a shot distance and then let everything cool completely. The gears also work harden under normal use but damage under extreme initial use. Brakes on the other hand need to be bedded in. This is done by first performing some light stops to warm up the brakes and then performing hard stops BUT not coming to a complete stop. IE 60mph to 10mph and them back to 60mph. Stopping completely will deposit brake material unevenly on disk.

Wow that comes to 1000km. What a coincidence. :P I'm considering building a black box to simulate the VDIM/TRAC defeat and avoid the pedal dance.

Are you guys refering to the electric steering wheel lock?

When you stop going forward and start going down, you're stuck. ;) Luckily sand is soft and it'd be tough to do it harm. You may want to consider a different off road vehicle. :) Anything softer than asphalt and I switch to this