The Jeep Wrangler has been a popular off-roading SUV since 1941. With many updates that include a smooth drive on the road, it’s become a fan favorite among adventurers and commuters alike.
Auto maintenance is vital to any car’s longevity, especially one that is used off-road.
When regular Jeep Wrangler maintenance is overlooked, issues can build up, resulting in expensive and complicated solutions.
That’s why maintaining your new or used Jeep Wrangler can extend its life and keep it running for years to come.
Dos and Don’ts of Regular Maintenance
Every vehicle should have regularly scheduled maintenance. Here are a few common maintenance items to keep in working order:
Tire Pressure and Rotation
Periodically checking a car’s tire pressure can help reduce wear and maximize gas mileage. You can find the ideal tire pressure for your car in the owner’s manual.
You can find the recommended tire pressure on a sticker inside the driver’s door. In addition to maintaining proper tire pressure, tires need to be rotated every so often.
The timeframe between tire rotations varies depending on the car and its use.
Off-road vehicles, such as Jeeps, may have more wear and tear than cars used only for commuting to a workplace.
Many manufacturers recommend that tires be rotated in the same appointment as an oil change. This is typically every 7,500 miles or six months.
Oil Change
A car’s oil is a large part of what makes the engine run. The engine relies on oil to run, cool, and lubricate its parts.
Regular oil changes help keep the oil clean and prevent engine damage. Drivers can check their car’s oil level under the hood of the vehicle.
Brake Inspection
Inspecting brakes to reduce the risk of failure and accidents is important.
It’s recommended to have brakes inspected during tire rotations or if they are making an unusual noise, such as squeaking or grinding.
Jeep Wrangler Specific Maintenance
Jeep Wrangler owners need to keep up to date with maintenance to keep costs down. The Jeep Wrangler has a reliability rating of 3.5/5, according to RepairPal.
It ranks 25th out of 26 for compact SUVs, based on average cost and frequency, and severity of maintenance and repairs.
The average repair cost for a Jeep Wrangler is $694, which is an average owner cost compared to other vehicles.
Rotate and Check Tires
Maintaining tires is especially important in an off-roading vehicle due to different terrain.
A Jeep’s tires are recommended to be rotated and balanced every 6,000-8,000 miles, and wheel alignment should be every 20,000 miles.
Off-roading can misalign tires easily, so be sure to have wheels aligned every three months or so.
Check and Change Oil (and Other Fluids)
A Jeep Wrangler’s oil can be changed by a professional or by the owner. Jeeps typically sit high, so getting underneath doesn’t require a jack.
Other fluids to check are power steering, transmission, and radiator fluid. The ideal levels can be found in the Jeep owner’s manual.
If you are off-road with your Jeep in water higher than your tires, you should change the fluids after every high water encounter to avoid any potential issues.
Brake Pad Replacement
Brake pads can wear down over time and if not maintained, can cause braking issues.
In addition to regularly scheduled braking system maintenance, brake pads should be changed between 25,000 and 60,000 miles.
Additional Jeep Maintenance items include:
- Air filter replacement
- Tire pressure inspection before and after off-roading
- Tire condition before and after off-roading
- Drum brake inspection
Maintaining a Used Jeep Wrangler
When purchasing a used Jeep (or any car), it’s important to know its maintenance history, especially since maintenance schedules vary from vehicle to vehicle.
It’s imperative to have a trusted mechanic, auto shop, or dealership who can advise you on best maintenance practices for your used Jeep Wrangler.
One major part to pay attention to is the axles and suspension. If these are checked every inspection and oil change, small issues can be dealt with before they escalate into bigger (and more expensive) problems.
Jeep Wrangler Maintenance Schedule
The maintenance schedule may vary depending on off-roading, mileage, weather conditions, geographic location, where the car is kept, etc.
Here is a typical Jeep Wrangler maintenance schedule.
| Miles Driven | Suggested Maintenance | Notes |
| 7,500 | Oil change tire rotation and balance | Jeep Wranglers have a change oil indicator system to let the driver know when to change their oil. |
| 20,000 | Brake inspection replace A/C filter | After 40,000 miles, it’s likely that the AC and cabin air filters are dusty and should be changed. |
| 40,000 | Change front and rear axle fluid | Jeep Wranglers have a change oil indicator system to let drivers know when to change their oil. |
| 60,000 | Change transfer case fluid | Automatic and manual transmission fluids may need to be changed. |
| 100,000 | Inspect belts and PCV valve |
FAQs About Jeep Wrangler Maintenance
It’s important to maintain a Jeep Wrangler for many reasons. Arguably, the most important may be safety. Finding and addressing any issues or defects before they become a large problem can prevent accidents. Regular maintenance can save money, as small repairs are often less complicated and expensive than larger ones. Plus, a Jeep Wrangler is a great car; you want it to last as long as possible!
Do your best to reduce wear and tear. This includes being mindful of things like speed bumps, tree branches or sticks on the road, and sharp rocks, especially when off-roading.
There’s no set time for how often to get your Jeep Wrangler inspected. Different parts of the car will need to be serviced at different distance intervals. See the above chart for a suggested maintenance schedule.
Author Bio:
Joseph Christmas is the Marketing Coordinator at Merchants Auto but has a unique passion and knowledge of Jeep Wranglers. After owning and building several Jeep Wrangler TJs and JKs, Joe has become the resident expert of Wranglers at Merchants.
