The simulator uses ground color to determine surface type. This might lead to some misclassification of the surface and unintended effects. While the ground might clearly seem like sand, the simulator might classify it as concrete.
This misclassification might result in a lack of visual effects being kicked up from the wheels, a difference in wheel traction and a variance in the sounds emitted by the wheels.
This being said, the locations included in the Explore! section have been corrected to reflect the correct surface types.