Essential Tips for First-Time Jeep Owners

We know you’re excited about your new Jeep. But before you hit the road (or buy one), here are some essential tips for first-time Jeep owners that you should know.

Owning and driving your first Jeep is a unique and exciting experience. But before you’re ready to start living the Jeep life, there are a few fundamentals you should know about your new vehicle and the community of enthusiasts you’ve now joined. From mastering the Jeep wave to learning the lingo, here are some essential tips for first-time Jeep owners.

Learn the Jeep Wave

Owning a Jeep is a different experience than owning pretty much any other vehicle. In addition to acquiring an awesome ride, you also become a part of an ever-growing community of Jeep enthusiasts. As a new inductee, your first order of business should be to learn the Jeep wave.

Originally, Jeeps were military vehicles and a prevalent mode of transportation for soldiers in WWII. When the war ended, Jeep owners would often wave at each other, knowing that the other driver was most likely a fellow veteran. Many decades later, the tradition has stuck around, even after civilians began purchasing Jeeps. As such, if you pass another Jeep owner on the road, give them a friendly wave.

Beware the Death Wobble

Not to scare you, but as a new Jeep owner, it’s important to be aware of the dreaded death wobble. Essentially, the death wobble is an issue that causes some Jeeps—particularly heavily modified ones—to wobble upon reaching a certain speed. When the death wobble occurs, it can make your vehicle more difficult to control and increase your risk of rollovers. If the death wobble plagues your Jeep at any point, make sure to take it to a mechanic straight away to prevent an unsafe driving situation.

Familiarize Yourself With Fun Jeep Mods

Another essential tip for first-time Jeep owners is to embrace the possibilities of your new vehicle. One of the many joys of owning a Jeep is the high level of customization they offer. To live your best Jeep life, consider looking into the many modification options available. Some of the best mods for a first-time Jeep owner include:

• An LED light system
• Entry guards
• Upgraded bumpers
• A roof rack
• Body armor and skid plates

Learn the Lingo

As previously stated, purchasing a Jeep provides you with a ticket into a community of other Jeep enthusiasts. However, to immerse yourself fully in the community, you’re going to need to learn the lingo. To avoid exposing yourself as a Jeep novice, make sure to familiarize yourself with common Jeep terms, such as stock, mods, aftermarket, built, rig, and articulation.