Jeeps are known for their toughness, but even the toughest vehicles need careful maintenance to perform at their best. You can help extend the life of your Jeep and increase its performance by replacing or upgrading parts at the first signs of trouble. Here are some signs that it’s time to invest in replacement parts for your Jeep.
Engine Problems
Since it’s easy to find replacement and aftermarket parts for Jeeps, many engine problems are easily repaired if you recognize the issue in time. If your Jeep won’t start, you may not need to replace the starter entirely if you can get a new drive spindle.
Trouble Getting Up Hills
Jeep owners like to test the limits of their vehicles, but it can be frustrating and dangerous to attempt a climb your Jeep can’t handle. To easily and cheaply increase torque, look into upgrading the airflow system. A new performance intake and muffler can be the extra boost to power you up tough inclines. For even more power, you can go all-out and purchase a supercharger kit for your Jeep.
Decreased Gas Mileage
A drop in gas mileage is an early warning sign that something in your Jeep needs fixing. This can be traced to several different causes: the gas tank itself, the fuel pump or engine systems such as the camshaft sensor. It’s important to look at other signs of engine problems to narrow down your options or take your Jeep Gladiator JT to a mechanic for a diagnosis.
Strange Vibrations
Any minor vibration in your steering wheel is a sign that something may be wrong with your suspension and/or wheel alignment. Another clue is if your steering wheel drifts when you’re not holding it. Since steering issues are dangerous, don’t ignore these early warnings.
Because of some Jeeps’ axle designs, they’re also prone to a condition known as “death wobble.” This is when a Jeep hits a bump in the road at speed and the entire car shakes violently. This can be dangerous and cause panic while driving, but it’s preventable if you pay attention to your suspension and tire pressure.
Poor tire pressure is a leading cause of death wobble, so make sure your tire pressure is correct and replace your tires frequently. Peek under your Jeep periodically and be sure nothing in the undercarriage is bent. If your suspension could use some work, you can pick up a complete suspension service kit for a Jeep Wrangler JL.
Interior Scuffs and Scratches
If your Jeep is running like a dream, you can still upgrade its interior. Waterproof seat covers and floor mats are a must for outdoor excursions and off-roading. You can also replace your dash control systems for an all-new look in an older Jeep.
One of the best reasons to buy a Jeep is to customize it into the performance vehicle of your dreams. Even if you’re not an aftermarket fanatic, Jeeps have a variety of upgrade kits and replacement parts that make repairs easy. Fixing or upgrading at the first sign of trouble is the best way to keep your Jeep in good shape.
