Wrangler Safety FAQs & Tips For Off-Roading

The Rick Hendrick Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Duluth gets many questions from customers about how to adequately  and safely prepare to ride in a Jeep Wrangler. Below, we answer a few of the most common questions. Don’t see your question? Contact us!

How do I prepare my Jeep Wrangler for off-roading safely?

It’s important to do a maintenance check before you go off-roading. Make sure your battery is fastened, all hoses are in good condition and oil and fluids are topped off, including fuel. Be sure that all four tires are in good condition and have the proper tire pressure. When adventuring, avoid being alone, especially in unfamiliar territory.

Are there any safety tips for off-roading in my Jeep Wrangler?

Once off-road, you should put your vehicle in 4WD before you think you’ll need additional traction. This is important because it’s difficult to engage 4WD after you get stuck. Also, get into the habit of looking over the hood of your Wrangler, scanning left to right so you can clearly see what you’re approaching on the trail. Watch both sides so that neither your left or right tire runs into issues. You should also avoid sticking your head out of the Wrangler to see. Additionally, many trail masters recommend keeping your thumbs up and out of the way of the steering wheel spokes in rough terrain. This is because if your tire suddenly falls off a rock, the steering wheel could quickly rotate and injure your thumb. Thankfully, vehicles with power steering, like the Jeep Wrangler, lessen the chance of sudden steering wheel rotation.

How do I safely maintain momentum in snow or mud while driving the Wrangler?

When snow or mud is present during your driving conditions, it’s generally good to engage your on-demand or part-time 4WD system. If your Wrangler has an all-time system like Quadra-Trac I, there is nothing more required from you. In heavy snow, when pulling a load, or for additional control at slower speeds, shift the transmission to a low gear and shift the transfer case to 4WD-LOW if necessary (Quadra-Trac I and Quadra-Trac SRT do not offer a low range). Do not shift to a lower gear than necessary to maintain momentum. Over-revving the engine can spin the wheels and traction will be lost. If you begin to lose traction in snow or mud, turn your steering wheel back and forth rapidly. This will generally help the wheels bite into fresh terrain and pull you through. If traction is lost, STOP. Wheel spinning will just dig you in deeper. The key is to maintain forward momentum.

Is Wrangler safe for climbing over rocks or other obstacles?

When “crawling” correctly through tough terrain, Wrangler can handle a variety of obstacles. Use a low gear and low-range 4WD and just let the vehicle crawl and idle (with as little throttle as needed) when going over obstacles like rocks or logs. Never straddle rocks. A vehicle with 10 inches of ground clearance will not go over a 12-inch rock! Maneuver the tire on top of the rocks and crawl over them slowly. If you hear scraping, don’t panic. Your Jeep Wrangler 4×4 skid plates and rock rails (this equipment varies depending on what Jeep Wrangler 4×4 and package you have) will be able to handle it. Also, dropping tire pressure 3-5 pounds improves traction and helps avoid tire punctures. (Be sure to return your tires to normal pressure after using them in these conditions.) Also note that the ideal speed for rock crawling is 1-3 miles per hour.