Congratulations on your new Jeep!
Being new to this scene can be a bit daunting as there is a magnitude of things to learn. From little things like familiarizing yourself with the lingo, to understanding permits, licensing and how to mix match your suspension to achieve peak performance. As you begin to peel back the layers of this hobby, know that it is not a race and it is ok to not know everything. There will be many people and groups you’ll meet along your journey that will help you learn new Jeep owners tips and understand these technicalities. In this article, we will go over 5 new Jeep owner tips that will help you get onto the trails faster and more confidently.
Familiarize yourself with the owners manual.
The manual is your go-to resource for information about your Jeep, including its features, maintenance schedule, and safety precautions. Digging through this can sometimes be painful, but it will give you the most value. If you are unsuccussful with trying to find what you need, try getting active on a jeep forum. 9 times out of 10, someone has already been through your experience and provides more helpful details. Some good forums to checkout are: https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/ or https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/
Keep up on regular maintenance.
Regular maintenance is important to keep your Jeep running smoothly and to prevent costly repairs down the road. Follow the maintenance schedule outlined in the owner’s manual and have your Jeep serviced by a qualified mechanic when needed. If you have upgraded parts, refer to the manufactures manuals to make sure you abide by their guidelines. Neglecting these things may not have immediate repercussions, but you might find yourself in a shitty situation one day during a trail run. Be smart and keep up with maintenance!
Get to know your Jeep's off-road capabilities.
Jeeps are known for their off-road capabilities, but it’s important to understand the limits of your Jeep and to always drive safely and responsibly. Make sure you’re familiar with the terrain you’ll be driving on and adjust your driving accordingly. While you get to understand your Jeeps capabilities, make sure you never wheel alone. This is a common rookie mistake and while making mistakes is one of the best ways of learning, it’s best to have that second vehicle with you to assist in a recovery or a spot you through a section you are unsure of.
Consider adding aftermarket accessories.
There are many aftermarket accessories available for Jeeps, such as lift kits, off-road tires, and winches, that can enhance your Jeep’s performance and versatility. I challenge you to take your jeep out stock first to see what they are capable of. You might be shocked on what you climb up or crawl over! The more you go out, the more you will learn what will work best for your style of wheeling. You will also get the chance to see what everyone else has and learn a few things on tools that bring convenience to things on the trail. For example, majority will air up with something like a SmittyBuilt or ARB compressor. This can take a decent amount of time when airing up. Even though there is absolutely nothing wrong with this option, you may want to air up and down quicker so maybe considering something like a powertank is a better option for you. Do your research and choose accessories that are appropriate for your Jeep and the type of driving you’ll be doing. (If you have a Jeep Gladiator, check out this article)
Join a Jeep club or community.
Joining a Jeep club or online community is a great way to learn more about your Jeep, connect with other Jeep owners, and get tips and advice. There is high value to a mall crawling event every now and then. You will get the opportunity to see other builds, ask questions and maybe even make lifelong friends that you can tackle the toughest trails with! There are many groups out there, so you’re sure to find one that fits your interests and location.