After Off-Road Driving

Off-road driving places more stress on your vehicle than most on-road driving. After off-road driving, always inspect the vehicle for damage. This allows you to address any problems right away and keep your vehicle ready when you need it.

• Thoroughly inspect the underbody of your vehicle. Check the tires, body structure, steering, suspension and exhaust system for damage.
• Inspect the radiator for dirt and debris and clean as necessary.
• Check threaded connections for looseness, especially on the chassis, drivetrain components, steering and suspension. Tighten them if necessary and torque to the values specified in the service manual.

Check for accumulations of plants or brush. These items can be a fire hazard. They may conceal damage to fuel lines, brake hoses, axle seals and driveshafts. After prolonged operation in mud, sand, water or similar dirty conditions, have the radiator, fan, brake discs, wheels, brake pads and axle yokes inspected and cleaned as soon as possible.

NOTE:

Inspect the clutch vent holes in the transmission bell housing for dirt and debris and clean as necessary.

• If you experience unusual vibration after driving in mud, slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for impacted material. Impacted material can cause wheel imbalance. Removing the wheels and clearing the material will correct the condition.