First time off-road ?

[eureka]

Went for a mini off-road trail today. Lots of rocks on the ground. What do you guys switch to when 4x4 or just going regular way? I want to come back as I discovered bunch of trails! Pics attached. I am first timer ?

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[CTMopar]

You are fine in 2WD there. If you start to lose traction on a surface then go to 4WD.

 

[Whiskeybiskit]

Most of the dirt roads here in Vegas don't require 4wd. Agree with @CTMopar, if you start to feel the pucker factor getting a bit much, put it in 4wd.

 

[eureka]

Most of the dirt roads here in Vegas don't require 4wd. Agree with @CTMopar, if you start to feel the pucker factor getting a bit much, put it in 4wd.

Do I keep my automatic on drive or park when I switch? And if I feel to put in 4x4 what option would be good. It was little bumpy ? And ty for your reply!

 

[eureka]

Most of the dirt roads here in Vegas don't require 4wd. Agree with @CTMopar, if you start to feel the pucker factor getting a bit much, put it in 4wd.

What is pucker factor?

 

[eureka]

What is pucker factor?

I feel like new tires would be good but these are brand new. I put some dirt on Michelin tires today yeah!

 

[eureka]

You are fine in 2WD there. If you start to loose traction on a surface then go to 4WD.

Yeah I felt like that just a little bit speed limit was 25mph but I was going 10-15mph. Was scared that I will get flat tire too. ? Some rocks were big and it wasn’t completely a flat terrain.

 

[CTMopar]

What is pucker factor?

When you are doing something and you involuntarily clinch your butt cheeks together because this just might be the end lol

 

[CTMopar]

Yeah I felt like that just a little bit speed limit was 25mph but I was going 10-15mph. Was scared that I will get flat tire too. ? Some rocks were big and it wasn’t completely a flat terrain.

Nothing there is going to give you a flat tire. You would be surprised how much your tires can take. 4WD doesn’t help with speed or braking. A little air out of your tires will go a long ways too when you get onto bigger rocks, sand or slippery conditions.

 

[Whiskeybiskit]

Those tires will be fine. I put about 50,000 miles on my sport s stock tires between street and offroad before I got new tires. You can shift into 4hi in drive up to 35-40mph. To shift to 4lo, jeep needs to be in neutral and rolling 5mph or less. It would be good to practice shifting into 4lo before to get used to it.

 

[Shibadog]

2 WD is fine for roads/trails such as shown. 4 WD Hi when you encounter snow, mud and similar. 4 low for nasty stuff, crawling over rocks, etc. as long as you’re on stuff like shown your current tires are fine. If you’re getting into mud, much snow or similar you’ll want more aggressive rubber. You can shift in and out of 2 to 4 Hi “on the fly” at speeds up to 55 ( though I seldom do above 40). 4Lo, only needed for low speed stuff (crawling along). Need to be stopped or movin at Very low (1-3 mph ) speeds. Do NOT engage 4wd on paved, dry surfaces-it is NOT designed for that and will cause binding/excessive wear and dangerous handling. Good luck, welcome to Jeep life. Enjoy the adventure?

 

[eureka]

2 WD is fine for roads/trails such as shown. 4 WD Hi when you encounter snow, mud and similar. 4 low for nasty stuff, crawling over rocks, etc. as long as you’re on stuff like shown your current tires are fine. If you’re getting into mud, much snow or similar you’ll want more aggressive rubber. You can shift in and out of 2 to 4 Hi “on the fly” at speeds up to 55 ( though I seldom do above 40). 4Lo, only needed for low speed stuff (crawling along). Need to be stopped or movin at Very low (1-3 mph ) speeds. Do NOT engage 4wd on paved, dry surfaces-it is NOT designed for that and will cause binding/excessive wear and dangerous handling. Good luck, welcome to Jeep life. Enjoy the adventure?

Great advice! I appreciate that. I love the Jeep life already. I’m warming up! Now what if the dirt road has lots of hills? 2WD would be ok?

 

[CTMopar]

Great advice! I appreciate that. I love the Jeep life already. I’m warming up! Now what if the dirt road has lots of hills? 2WD would be ok?

2WD is fine unless it is so steep or loose that you lose traction

 

[40Caliber]

Do I keep my automatic on drive or park when I switch? And if I feel to put in 4x4 what option would be good. It was little bumpy ? And ty for your reply!

You really should read the owners manual but you can switch to 4 hi on the fly (while moving under 45mph).. there is a whole recent thread on 4 Lo so i won't go there, just ask you to check.

 

[Shibadog]

As said, as long as you’re not losing traction on a dry surface 2wd is fine. You’ll be amazed where the Jeep will go . On roads like in the pics you’ll never need 4wd. Look on down for the thread on 2 dr capability and you’ll get an idea what a box stock Jeep will do?

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