Rahimdad

Its a shame how more and more off-road vehicles end up looking like an egg on 4 wheels and loose their off-road capabilities, or are restricted by all the computers on board.

Hi my name is Rahimdad, I have been in UAE for over 40 years and driving for the past 22 years out of whcih I am off-roading for the past 8 years. I have recently acquired a Nissan Pathfinder 2001 model, the R50. looking forward to finding solutions and parting my knowledge whenever I can.

I would like to see an off-road navigation on the Android or IOS which would allow me to do everything the Garmin 276 C can do. Garmin 276 C was basically for Marine Navigation and its little brother Garmin 76 CSX was more for bikers who needed something a little more handy than a brick. It allows you to store 20,000 way points, 200 routes and 15 tracks. For me Waypoints are more important as I like to make my own way through the desert.

I must say that the new Discovery is nothing close to what it used to be. I had a Disco 1 a 1998 model which I enjoyed till last year and the ride was smooth even after all those years in service and the abuse in the desert at my hands. But I cannot say that I am a hater,although it does not look like the 7 seater I used to know, but I am sure it would be just as comfortable if not more. I would just doubt the off-road capability on this vehicle although they do advertise it as one, but all those electronics and gadgets take away from the real pleasures of driving.

I am old school too, still using my trusted Garmin 276C for off-road, but the amount of time I have spent in the desert the only time I really use it is when I am going for a discovery drive in an unknown place or when weather is bad and the conditions don't allow you to see far. All other times I can navigate within the desert between Kalba all the way to Lisali on my instincts and I do not require a GPS.

Dear friends, Recently I got my steering box changed and after it came back from the garage the airbag light was on, he tried correcting the issue through the OBD but the connector wire would not fit my Pathfinder. After going through some forums and a couple of youtube videos I have manged to solve the problem. Just switch on your car without starting it, the air bag light with a bunch of other lights will be on, as soon as the airbag light goes off switch your car off, wait for 1 second and repeat the steps 4 times. After the fourth time switch your car off and start your car normally, the airbag light stays on a about 6 seconds and than walla, your airbag light is off. A computer reset can cost you anything between AED 100- AED 500/- depending on which garage you go to, this remedy is absolutely free and takes only 2 minutes of your time. Hope this helps.

I agree with Maharaja, any modification to any part of the car means the Dealership can void your warranty. However if you are OK with it you can change the bumper, but when you are going to service your car at the dealership make sure you change the bumper to stock, can be very tiring if you are clocking up your miles very quickly. I have seen some people remove the front lip of the bumper to avoid low clearance angle when they come for off-road and put it back in for the road trips. I have also seen some people getting a removable bolt-in skid plate to avoid the mishap and removing it whenever they go for servicing or passing the vehicles. Hope this helps.

The new Pathfinder is not an off-road car, even the higher versions are AWD (All Wheel Drives), if you are thinking of buying the Classic Pathfinder its a capable vehicle with 7 seats, the X-Terra is a capable vehicle and not that uncomfortable but 5 seater. I agree with macabre, buy a saloon for on-road and buy a 4x4 for the off-road, I have been driving off-road for 8 years and I only realized after 3 years of paying through my nose that it is always better not to combine your daily driver with your off-road vehicle.

If you are going for the new Pathfinder the lower version comes in a Front Wheel Drive which is not able to handle Off-Road, however the higher version is an AWD (All Wheel Drive) which is different than a 4WD ad even the Nissan showroom advises against taking it off-road, however a little to medium sandy area should be fine The older Pathfinders' however are all equipped to handle the toughest of terrains and a sandy parking area would not be much for it to handle. Wishing you all the very best for your new purchase and hope my advise answers your question.

Gaurav Bhai, long time no see, it would be a pleasure to catch up with you, would you mind if I tagged along with my family.