Off-roading makes Jeep a popular brand among outdoor adventurers and weekend warriors. If you haven’t taken a vehicle off-road before, it’s worth learning a few basic tips about off-roading to ensure you enjoy the durability of your Jeep without damaging it or endangering your safety. Butler Jeep dealers suggest the following tips for off-road fun:
- Before off-roading, always make sure your Jeep is in good shape for a little rugged fun. Make sure your hoses are in good shape, your battery is secured, and all fluids are topped off, including gasoline. Also, make sure your tires are in good shape for off-roading.
- Slow and steady wins the race in off-roading. When going over obstacles, don’t slam on the gas; ease the vehicle over the impediment. On most rough-and-tumble trails, you’ll want to put the vehicle in its lowest gear and travel less than 10 miles per hour.
· If you’re traveling through snow or mud, activate your 4WD system. Avoid over-revving the engine, and shift into low gear. Also, if you begin to lose traction, turn your steering wheel back and forth at a rapid pace to dig your tires into the ground to get a better grip.
- If you’re traveling through sand, decrease the air pressure in your tires to about 10 lbs. under the recommended pressure. Also, make wide turns to help maintain traction.
- For hills, avoid driving uphill or downhill at an angle, as this can cause significant damage to your vehicle.
By taking care to learn the ropes of off-roading, you can get more out of your Jeep while avoiding getting stuck or damaging the vehicle.
