Off-Road Maintenance Tips

When you visit Fresno Chrysler Dodge Jeep® RAM, you can expect to receive guidance from a team of auto professionals who pride themselves in customer satisfaction. We have a vast wealth of automotive knowledge, and one of our favorite subjects to discuss is off-roading and how to take to the dirt successfully.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to drive a decked-out Jeep Wrangler to go trekking in the outdoors. Almost any decent sized vehicle can be transformed into an off-road capable car; all it takes is a little time, patience, and automotive knowledge.

One of the first things you should do before you take your vehicle out onto the trail is to increase the ground clearance of your vehicle. Ground clearance is the amount of space that sits between the sensitive undercarriage of your vehicle and the ground. While some SUVs already sit high off the ground, many cars sit too low to be effective off-road trekkers. By increasing your ground clearance, you can avoid damaging a crucial component, which may be costly to repair.

Coupled with great ground clearance, your vehicle should also have a substantial skid plate installed. The skid plate is essentially a shield that protects sensitive car components from being damaged by debris or the occasional scrape.

While you want to protect yourself from debris, and bottoming out, you want your vehicle to be able to stay on the trail in the first place. Great off-road tires play a huge role in keeping traction. While some street tires can handle light trail-running, you’ll want a tire that can handle the rough terrain of the outdoors, while at the same time continue to grip the trail through various conditions.

Upgrading your car into an all-terrain champion can seem overwhelming at first, but fortunately, you don’t have to take on the challenge on your own. Our maintenance team in our Chrysler, Dodge, RAM, and Jeep parts center can provide you with everything you need to turn your car into a versatile off-road juggernaut.