Post-Trail Off-Road Jeep Maintenance
By now you’re most likely well into off-roading season and we hope you’ve been having a blast hitting the trails and getting the most out of your Jeep. Most Jeep owners know that completing a maintenance check before you head off-road is important, but it’s equally and maybe even more important to perform a maintenance check after you off-road as well.
Though you may find that your Jeep holds up well after most of your excursions, preforming a maintenance check after your off-road can give you the opportunity to catch a maintenance issue before it becomes a problem on the road or the trail. Being proactive on your maintenance can not only save you money, but also help prevent accidents.
1. Check Your Tires
Even though they are built to battle the elements, it’s important to make sure that your tires did not suffer any damage after an off-road adventure. Make sure to check for cracks and weak spots in the sidewall, torn tread, punctures, and anything that might look out of the ordinary. You may need hose the tires down to clear off any mud that may have accumulated to get a good look at the overall damage.
2. Check Under the Body
No surprise here. But the underside of your Jeep Wrangler is going to deal with a lot of stress if you take it off-roading. You’ll want to check for any leaks, issues with the driveline components, your and your shock and suspension components to make sure everything is still in working order.
3. Check Your Brakes
You’d be crazy to want to drive any vehicle with damaged brakes, but taking a Jeep off-road when your brakes are compromised is one of the worst ideas you could ever have. You’ll want to check for leaks in the hoses, make sure that the calipers and rotors are clean, and check for stones that are jammed and causing a malfunction.