Jeep Maintenance Tips: The Basics
All cars require maintenance to run properly, including Jeeps. Properly maintaining your Jeep regularly can help extend the life of your ride and keep it working properly for decades to come. Choosing to forgo maintenance could result in costly service repairs that greatly exceed the cost of simple maintenance procedures. In addition to saving you money, maintaining your Jeep will help prevent you from getting stranded on the side of the road or having to cancel your weekend off-roading plans due to an easily preventable issue. As such, it is important to stay on top of your Jeep’s maintenance. Here are some basic Jeep maintenance tips to help you provide your Jeep with the care it needs to run smoothly.
Change your Jeep’s oil
Changing your Jeep’s oil is a simple and essential maintenance procedure that all vehicles must undergo to function properly. Often, you can perform oil changes at home without requiring a trip to the mechanic. To change the oil of your Jeep, start by locating the drain plug in the oil pan and placing a catch basin beneath it. Then remove the drain plug and let the oil drain before removing the old oil filter and reinstalling the drain plug. Lastly, put some fresh oil on the gasket of the oil filter and put the designated amount of oil into your engine. It’s that simple. Changing the oil of your Jeep is especially easy because they are typically high enough off the ground that you can get under it without using a jack and jack stands.
Check and change fluids
In addition to oil, your Jeep has many more fluids that you must check and change. For example, your Jeep’s power steering fluid, transmission fluid, and radiator fluid must all remain at specific levels for the car to operate effectively. To determine the exact levels that each of these fluids should stay at, make sure to consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual. The frequency that you should change your Jeep’s fluids will depend on a variety of factors. However, if you are off-roading and cross through water that rises over your wheel’s hubs, you should generally always change the fluids in your differentials to avoid any potential maintenance issues.
Rotate your tires
Rotating your tires is essential for getting the maximum possible number of miles out of them. Typically, the front two tires of a vehicle will wear much faster than the rear tires because there is more pressure on their outer edges during turns. By rotating your tires, you’ll be able to ensure that the tread on all tires wears evenly. For vehicles that come equipped with large, expensive tires, this maintenance procedure is especially important for extending their life and saving you money. Typically, you should rotate your tires after every 6,000 to 9,000 miles or after every six months depending on which comes first.
Check and adjust tire pressure
Another way to ensure that your tires last as long as possible is by checking and adjusting their pressure. Generally, you should check your tire pressure every month and adjustment them accordingly. If tire pressure is too low or high, it can cause your tire to wear unevenly which can increase its likelihood of popping and require you to replace it more frequently. By keeping your tire pressure at the suggested level, you’ll be able to maintain an optimal amount of traction on the road and provide better vehicle handling. As such, it is especially important to check and adjust your tire pressure before taking part in and after any off-roading activities. In addition to reducing the potential for a flat tire or blowout, keeping your tires at the recommended pressure can help improve the fuel economy of your vehicle.
Replace your Jeep’s air filter
To supply your engine with clean air, it is important to change the air filter in your Jeep regularly. Typically, you should replace the air filter of your Jeep after every 20,000 miles. However, if you off-road regularly, you will likely need to replace it more frequently. Off-roading on dusty trails can quickly clog up air filters and shorten their life span. As such, those who regularly drive their Jeep on dirt roads should aim to replace their air filters every 12,000 miles or so. Fortunately, changing the air filter of your Jeep is a very simple process that typically only takes around five minutes to complete.
Replace your Jeep’s brake pads
Over time, brake pads can begin to wear down and become less effective. If your brake pads become too worn, they pose a serious safety risk, as you may not be able to brake in time and could end up getting into a collision. As such, changing your brake pads is an essential type of maintenance practice that you should perform on your Jeep—especially if you’re planning on off-roading where responsive brakes are crucial. Typically, you should change your brake pads after every 25,000 to 60,000 miles; however, the exact amount will depend on where you drive and how you use your Jeep.
Have your wheel’s aligned
If you don’t have properly aligned wheels, you could experience several issues with your Jeep such as decreased fuel efficiency, impaired vehicle handling and maneuverability, and increased tire wear. If your wheels are extremely misaligned, you may even start to notice that your Jeep is pulling to the left or right which can pose a serious safety hazard. As such, it is essential to check your wheel alignment at least every 20,000 miles. Those who take their Jeeps off-roading frequently should have their wheels aligned more frequently as rugged trails can easily knock wheels out of alignment.
Properly maintaining your Jeep will help you have the best possible driving experience and greatly extend its life. Another great way to improve your driving experience is by investing in the right accessories—such as a TopLift Pro Jeep Hard Top Removal and Storage Tool. Our Jeep top lift systems offer a safe and stable single-person operation that allows you to easily remove and store your Jeep’s top in less than two minutes. For more information regarding our innovative products, contact us today.
