As a Jeep® brand vehicle owner, you know that sometimes the best places to take your vehicle aren’t always on the road. You live a Go Anywhere, Do Anything® lifestyle and expect your vehicle to follow that motto as well. Luckily for you, your Trail Rated® Jeep brand vehicle is ready to take you on your next adventure, wherever that may be.
Before you hit the trails, there are a couple of things you should do to prepare. We’ve come up with a list of a few you should consider before heading out.
Give It a Checkup
Before you venture out off-road, make sure your Jeep brand vehicle is in top shape. You don’t want to wind up with a dead battery or an empty gas tank while you’re out on the trail. It’s also not a bad idea to double check the weather forecast before leaving the driveway.
Bring the Essentials (And More)
It’s always a good idea to bring some extra equipment with you when you venture off-road, especially if you plan on traveling for some distance. Make sure you have a tow rope, a spare tire (and the tools to put it on), extra fuel, a cell phone, and some form of navigational aid. If you get stuck for any reason, you’ll be glad you thought ahead.
Know Your Terrain
When choosing an off-roading spot, remember that different terrains require different preparation. Different terrains also have varying levels of difficulty, so take that into consideration when choosing where to go, especially if you’re relatively new to the off-roading experience.
Sand– To help your Jeep brand vehicle tackle sand, it’s recommended that you drop your tire pressure 10-12 pounds lower than the normal pressure on your tires. This helps the tires cover more surface area and create more traction. While you’re out there, make sure you keep moving forward and make large, wide turns to help avoid getting stuck.
Mud– When driving through mud, drive slow to help prevent your vehicle from sliding. If you feel yourself losing traction, don’t slam on the gas pedal. That’ll just make your tires spin. Instead, turn your steering wheel back and forth rapidly, which can help the wheels catch some traction and keep you moving forward.
Rock– When attempting a rock crawl, put your Jeep brand vehicle in a low 4WD setting. The key to rock crawling is to go slow, usually not more than 1-3 mph. We recommend you drop the tire pressure 3-5 pounds before attempting a rock crawl. This helps increase traction and helps to avoid getting a flat tire.
You can learn more about taking your Jeep brand vehicle on a trail adventure in our Off-Road Guide.
Have any tips for preparing to go off-roading that you think other Jeep brand fans should know? Comment below!