Off-Season Jeep Maintenance Suggestions

C’mon, is there really an off-season for a Jeep or any 4X4? Although we all love that top-off feeling in the spring and summer, the winter brings a completely satisfying experience as well. Mud and snow provide a natural playground for some of us, but also bring unwanted traffic hurdles for others. Whatever side of this debate you fall on, it is important to have your Jeep or other 4X4 transportation well maintained and ready when you are. Trail Climb Nation has posted a few maintenance suggestions below but as always, we encourage our readers to add any of your own ideas, tricks, and/or comments… Off-Season Jeep Maintenance Suggestions.

• Tires, Wheels, and Brakes – We can all relate when it comes to the high cost of those sexy over-sized tires and wheels. Anything we can do to help the tires wear as long as they can is beneficial, but ensuring that they are safe is a must. Inspect the inside and out for cuts, nails, screws, etc. Take a look at your wheels from various angles, sometimes a bent or damaged wheel isn’t as noticeable while looking directly at it from the front. The heavy wheels and tires also take a big toll on our brakes. In addition to the obvious signs like a soft peddle, leaking brake fluid, and sudden pulling to one side when the brakes are applied, take the time to pull of the wheel and give the pads and/or shoes a good visual inspection. Piece of mind is not overrated.

• Battery and Electrical System – When you’re doing that routine dipstick check for oil and transmission levels, give your battery and cables a good inspection. loose or frayed battery cables can not only leave you stranded, but can also create a safety hazard. A close glance at the battery can easily help you catch danger signs like a swollen shape. Corrosion and offensive “acidy” smells coming from the battery are also indicators of concern.

• Tools and Recovery Items – If you haven’t put together a toolkit for your 4X4, do yourself a favor and Google what experienced folks suggest you should put together. If you are ahead of the game and have that kit ready, take a few minutes to inspect your items. Heck, make sure the items are still in the kit – did you take the Channelocks out for something else?  Inspect your winch, cables, straps, etc. Check the remote, the power connection. If you carry rope, external gas cans, check ’em out… anything that would cause you heartache if it failed, might someday fail.

Off-Season Jeep Maintenance Suggestions – If your vehicle is close enough to “factory”, you will obviously want to follow the manufacturers maintenance requirements. If your 4X4 is way beyond “factory”, you are probably in a semi-constant update/upgrade mode, so nothings getting by you. For those in between, this is not an all-inclusive list, it’s simply a few suggestions that will hopefully keep us all safe and mobile.