Mud driving issue...advice please

[Joe98]

Last time I was on a muddy track, it became steep. We all got out to have a look.

I fell over and rolled.
I stood up, fell over and rolled again.
Then, I tried to stand up and rolled.

Finally I stood up with everybody laughing.
I rested by leaning on my fender.....

.

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[longfiredragon]

Sorry, I edited my earlier post to this same effect, but could my Jeep lacking both of those have anything to do with either:
1) mine has a manual transmission, and/or
2) mine is a 2-door vs. a 4-door?

But again, in everything that I had read before and after ordering my Jeep, there was never any mention or suggestion that it would have either "Hill Descent" or "Selec Speed". I have been assuming that those are both only found in higher trim levels (such as Sahara or Rubicon).

Yes, I am going to say the manual transmission has everything to do with it. I could be wrong. But here is a pic. Of my window sticker. Look under optional equipment and it shows the automatic transmission with selec speed. ( And no I didn't pay that much for it) LOL.

 

[MeatRack]

I think that California mud is the slickest stuff I've ever been on. I went to Mt Sac to watch my son run a cross country race. I must have brought the rain down from Washington State because it was like the first rain in months. It was slicker than snot and I went down twice on sidehills just walking and jogging around. The runners were having difficulty. The ones without spikes were toast. On roads, I'm grateful for gravel.

 

[AcesandEights]

Manuals don't have it.

Much like crawl control, trail assist, trail control (toyota/ford/etc), it is available only on the auto trans. The "computer" can't modulate speed with the manual. The computer cannot regulate speed, except with the auto trans (much like cruise control shuts off when you engage the clutch).

 

[Chugiakguy]

And with that hand print, Joe's Jeep has now officially been renamed "Wilson".

 

[GearWhore]

The KO2s have always disappointed me with their mud & snow performance. I've had 3 sets of different sizes on 3 Jeeps over 60k+ miles.

 

[AZpueblo]

Thanks all. That select speed idea is fantastic. I know it’s on there but have never tried it. I’ll have to get to know it before going back out. The good news is it rains so rarely here I probably won’t be in the same situation for a while.

Yeah, that Selec-Speed Control is really a gem that I think most haven't tried, but I always push all the buttons! I used it heading down the Devils Staircase near Sedona and it's amazing as you can hear the ABS working each wheel individually to keep the vehicle slow, and avoiding wheel lock. No way I could do that manually as I'm bobbling over the rock and with the pedal, it's all brake or no brake. The gear shifter allows you to increase/decrease the speed in 0.6mph increments. On a bumpy downhill I would set it to 1.8 mph and just steer. It's crazy. So definitely give it a try on an easy trail so you'll have it in your pocket for next time.

 

[6.2Blazer]

Just keep in mind the descent control, select speed, or whatever you call it is limited to how much traction you have. If the surface is ice or very slippery mud you will still slide and have somewhat limited control....the system can optimize what little traction is available but it doesn't magically give the tires more traction.
I regards to using the locking diffs wouldn't say to only use them after you are in trouble. For example, if climbing a tough hill you may want to go ahead and engage the lockers to keep you moving. Usually don't want to get halfway up the hill and get stuck and then try to engage the lockers and keep going. Same thing in a mud hole, ruts, etc.... Sometimes once your momentum stops you are stuck and engaging the lockers after the fact won't get you out, however if you had them on to begin with you might have made it. There is also the argument that having the lockers engaged can let you get through obstacles without beating on the vehicle as much. Overall you just have to get a feel for the vehicle and anticipate how it will handle the trail. But again, if the issue is going downhill and not being able to turn or the tires sliding with the brakes locked up the lockers definitely do not help, and probably make the situation worse.

 

[OrneryBear]

The KO2s have always disappointed me with their mud & snow performance. I've had 3 sets of different sizes on 3 Jeeps over 60k+ miles.

When I put raptor takeoffs onto my f150 it had the 35" KO2s on it and I agree that I was not a fan of them in mud and snow. I swapped over to falken wildpeaks in the same size, and they are night and day difference in the slick stuff.

 

[Gaffer]

It took a lot of searching in the owners manual but:

Hill Descent Control (HDC) Indicator Light —
If Equipped
This indicator shows when the HDC
feature is turned on. The lamp will be on
solid when HDC is armed. HDC can only
be armed when the transfer case is in the
4WD Low position and the vehicle speed is less
then 30 mph (48 km/h). If these conditions are not
met while attempting to use the HDC feature, the
HDC indicator light will flash on/off.

Selec-Speed Control Indicator Light —
If Equipped
This light will turn on when “Selec-Speed
Control” is activated.
To activate “Selec-Speed Control”,
ensure the vehicle is in 4WD Low and push the
button on the Instrument Panel.
NOTE:
If the vehicle is not in 4WD Low, “To Enter
Selec-Speed Shift to 4WD Low” will appear in the
instrument cluster display.

Here is a video on it:

 

[Kahunadave]

great topic and advice! ??

 

[Dyolfknip74]

Just to reiterate one person. If your going to tackle it. I would have selected 4L, and select speed if you have it. Select speed had 5 settings but the first setting is around 0.5, to 0.6 mph and the jeep will brake for you.

You can also disengage real fast by touching the brake, or accelerator. I only tried it once for fun, didn't really need it, was just playing. When we did Hurricane creek in NC a few months back the hole trail was wet and muddy. So on this one down hill section I put it in 4L and hit the select speed button. Pretty fun, the jeep does everything for you except steer.

Pressing the brake doesn't disengage SSC. I've sat and waited on the trail with foot on the brake and when it was time to go, took foot off and away she went again.

 

[Dyolfknip74]

Here is a great thread about the 2 different speed control functions.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...control-vs-hill-descent-control-solved.70059/

 

[LLANERO]

I wheel mostly in Southern Cal where rain is a myth. Usually it's more about how well you can get through sand or over big rocks. I took my son (9) out for his first official ride off-ride in my new JL. I'm running the stock KO2 33's. We were at the top of a big, but pretty easy trail at Hungry Valley ORV after a fun day. It started to rain, then rain a lot! I located the closest gate and we had to go all the way to the bottom of the dirt and small rock trail. Here's the issue: The Jeep was sliding down hill. I would slowly brake in a corner with the Jeep in low range and locked, and it would just keep going and even kick sideways. With a very steep drop to one side this pretty scary at the time. Someone with more mud experience please school me on how I should have driven down....what did I do wrong? Do you just not brake and keep it moving?

Yes, it is very scary.
- Never use lockers in this situation
- Use 4Lo and 1st gear
- Avoid using the brakes as much as possible
- If jeep starts to skid, release the brakes and accelerate slowly until you regain control

 

[kah.mun.rah]

The button that looks like a duck is great for downhill. The default might be 0mph so after you push the button use the -M+ on your shifter to adjust the speed.

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