OFF-ROAD DRIVING
With a few tips and some good old common sense, almost everyone can drive a Jeep® 4x4 off-road. Below is a list of basic information, tips and tricks for adventures in the wild. And keep your thumbs up!
BE READY
Always check your vehicle before driving off-road. Make sure that the battery is properly secured, that all the hoses are in good conditions and that oil and fluid levels, including petrol, are at their maximum. Also ensure that all four tires are in good conditions and at the right pressure. Avoid travelling alone, especially in places you don't know.
BE CAREFUL
When you're off-road, activate 4WD mode every time you think you're about to tackle a situation that requires additional traction. It's hard to activate 4WD when you're stuck. Make a habit of carefully checking your surroundings, at your left and your right, so you know what you'll encounter on the road. If you're only checking your left wheel, there's a good chance your right could give you issues. Avoid sticking your head outside the cabin to see what awaits (it's exactly for this reason that Jeep® Wrangler is equipped with a foldable windshield). Moreover, many off-road experts recommend keeping your thumbs up and outside the steering wheel spokes when tackling rough terrains. Why? Because if one of the wheels were to suddenly slip on a rock, the steering wheel could slip and turn quickly, and there's a chance the thumbs could remain stuck in the spokes (ouch). Note, however, that in vehicles equipped with power steering, as are all Jeep® vehicles, the chance of the steering wheel slipping and turning is reduced.
BE STEADY
Speed and power are not necessary when driving off-road on rough terrains. In 4WD mode, low gears and reduced speed will allow you to conquer the obstacles. In many cases, with a manual transmission, slowly releasing the clutch and tackling obstacles with the lowest gear is the best option. For reference, the average speed on the Rubicon Trail is just 2,4 km/h.
SNOW AND MUD
The presence of snow or mud on the road usually means it's time to activate 4WD. Fixed systems like Quadra-Trac I® don't require manual intervention. In the event of heavy snowfall, if you're hauling cargo or if you need more control at lower speeds, shift into a lower gear and, if necessary, activate the 4WD-LOW mode on the transfer case (Quadra-Trac I® and Quadra-Trac® SRT® are not equipped with LOW mode). Do not shift into a gear that is lower than what is necessary to maintain momentum. Over-revving the engine can make your tires slip, which means you lose traction. If you start to lose traction on snow or a muddy terrain, quickly steer the wheel back and forth. This way the wheels will re-gain traction on a clean surface, allowing you to resume the drive. But if you lose the traction, there's nothing you can do. The wheels will spin without gripping, bogging even more. Maintaining momentum is essential to move forward.
SAND
For better traction on sand, reduce the tire pressure of 0,6-0,8 bar compared to what is usually recommended for traditional tires. Return to normal pressure levels after use in such conditions. Activate 4WD HIGH mode to maintain the momentum required to proceed. Depending on the conditions of the sand, it could be necessary to proceed in 4WD LOW mode or to shift to another gear. Try to take wider turns if possible. Tight turns abruptly slow down the vehicle, blocking it. Once again maintaining momentum is paramount to the drive.
HILLS
When tackling slopes and inclines, ALWAYS climb and descend in a straight line. It would also be good to know what awaits on the other side before you start the climb. At the base of the slope, applying more power is necessary. Diminuish as you approach the peak and before you cross it. If you get stuck during the climb, reverse in a straight line. With a manual transmission vehicle, always approach descents with the lowest gear. When you tackle a descent in LOW mode, don't disengage the clutch and let the vehicle coast by inertia. This could seriously damage the clutch disc. Ensure the vehicle slows down using the gears and engine compression, and use brakes just to adjust speed. If the vehicle is equipped with manual transmission, activate LOW mode and proceed with the lowest configuration.
NOTE: NEVER traverse a slope sideways. If the incline is too steep and you don't feel confident your vehicle can make it, give up. Do not traverse a slope sideways because this could cause instability. Off-road driving can be intense. Remember: go as slow as possible. Use your good judgement and put safety as your top priority.
ROCK CRAWLING
It's called "crawling" for a good reason. Shift into a low gear, activate 4WD-LOW and let your vehicle proceed by inertia (reducing acceleration to a minimum) when you have to tackle rocks or tree trunks. Don't risk getting stuck on a boulder. A vehicle with a ground clearance of 25 cm will never be able to tackle a 30 cm rock! Climb your tires on top of the rock and descend by inertia. If you hear scraping don't worry: the underbody protection and side steps of your Jeep® 4x4* will absorb impact. A 0,2-0,3 bar reduction in tire pressure increases traction and prevents punctures. Restore the normal pressure level after use in such conditions. Remember: the ideal speed to tackle rocky terrains is 1,5-5 km/h.
*Equipment varies depending on the model and purchased or leased packs.
RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT
Leave the place in better conditions than how you found it. Follow the signs you encounter and stay on the designated trails and approved off-road recreation areas. Use your good judgement to protect that beauty and isolation of the area. Don't leave anything behind and, even better, pick up what was left behind by others. And if the terrain seems particularly fragile, take an alternative route. For more information on how to drive respecting the environment, click here: treadlightly.org
Leave the place in better conditions than how you found it.