What You Can Do to Make Sure Your Jeep Holds its Value

August 12th, 2022 by

A red 2022 Jeep Wrangler is shown in close up after leaving a Jeep service center.

Jeeps hold their own, and they are known for their long-lasting value. But there are some simple yet important things you can do to help your Jeep last even longer. Put simply, the best way to make your Jeep last is by regularly visiting a Jeep service center like the one here at Faricy Chrysler Jeep. While it’s great to keep up with your Jeep’s maintenance in general, remember that these models are different from your run-of-the-mill SUV. You technically can take your Jeep to any maintenance garage or servicing center, but visiting a Jeep-specific garage with OEM parts like ours is the best way to go.

You can also promote your Jeep’s longevity by doing smaller things in between maintenance visits, like keeping its interior and exterior clean, using high-quality cleaning products, and checking tire pressure. Replace your wiper blades, and turn them off once the rain stops. Tighten your gas cap, clean your windows thoroughly, and invest in washable seat covers. There are all kinds of ways you can make your Jeep last longer. Let’s look at some of the easiest yet most important ways to ensure your Jeep model holds its value.

Tire Care and Alignment

Every vehicle needs tire maintenance. It doesn’t matter if you’re driving a commuter crossover, a sports car, or a minivan; good tires are essential. Since Jeeps are typically used for off-roading, especially if you’re driving a Wrangler, paying attention to your tire usage is even more critical. Whether you use mud tires, all-terrain tires, or sand tires, you’re probably going places that most vehicles are not. This includes rocky terrain, steep inclines and declines, and even river crossings. This puts your tires at a higher chance of damage. As a result, you must pay closer attention to your tire usage and check them more often. Let your service center know that you enjoy trailing and how often you like to do so.

The same goes for your tire alignment. Whether hitting large potholes on a backroad or towering over deeply rutted trails, your Jeep’s alignment can get screwed up quickly. This is especially true when you compare an off-roading Jeep to a daily city commuter. Make sure you’re getting your alignment checked at least once a year. Watch for an uneven tread or pulling and off-center steering between these checks. This will be especially noticeable when you’re driving straight. One rough thump on the trails can mess up your alignment, so make this one a top priority if you’re an off-roading enthusiast.

You should also get your tires rotated at least every 5,000 miles. Your front and rear axles typically have different weight pressures, which leads to uneven wear. You’re helping the tires wear more evenly when you rotate your tires. Since you’re driving a Jeep, there’s a chance you’ve got a fifth wheel––the spare wheel and tire at your Jeep’s rear end. While not required, it is recommended that you include this wheel in the tire rotation process. Adding the spare tire into the mix gets confusing pretty quickly, so it’s best to ask your Jeep service center to handle this.

An oil change is shown in close up.

Regularly Change Your Oil

We all know the dreaded feeling that arises when the oil change light comes on. As tempting as it is to let it go for a few days, weeks, or months, even being slightly overdue can damage your Jeep’s health. Pay attention to mileage over months regarding oil change due dates. The monthly prediction is simply the “average.” You may drive for more or less than six months. If you drive more, you’ll need to get your oil changed sooner, and less, you can wait a bit past the recommended six-month timeframe without worrying. Remember that getting your vehicle serviced at least twice a year is ideal, no matter how much or how little you drive.

You can take your Jeep to a quick change, but remember that these services are not brand-specialized. You can perform oil changes yourself if you’ve got an older Jeep model and are good at DIY mechanics. Newer Jeeps often require professional oil changes to maintain your warranty, though. You can take your Jeep to a quick change location if you want to; however, many quick change locations recommend that you come in for an oil change more frequently than you need to, so it’s best to visit an official Jeep service center for oil changes.

Make Sure Your Jeep Stays Clean

Not everything is about looks. We get it. Everyone is busy, and keeping your Jeep spotless is a hard ask in such a high-demanding world. It’s not about living at the carwash, though. Keeping your Jeep clean is vital for its overall value and longevity. This is because salt, dirt, mud, and tar can damage your Jeep’s paint and even the metal if left on for too long. Corrosion and rust are detrimental to your vehicle’s value and lifespan. The best way to avoid these damaging culprits is to keep your Jeep’s exterior as clean as possible. No, you don’t have to visit the carwash daily. But it is a good idea to wash your model every two weeks.

It’s also essential to keep your Jeep clean on the inside as well. One, because replacing seating and paying for detailing can get expensive. Two, because your interior’s condition largely factors into its overall value if you will eventually trade your Jeep in or resale it. No matter how careful you are, though, accidents can still happen. That’s why we offer coverages for leased Jeeps such as “Excess Wear and Tear,” which covers a portion of accidental damage. Concerned about spills and melted chocolates? We can also add Fabric Protection to your interior seating. This helps prevent staining and makes it much easier to clean your seats.

A silver 2021 Jeep Wrangler is shown from the side parked in the mountains after leaving a Jeep service center.

Off-Roaders: Add Exterior Protectants

If you’re a Wrangler driver, you may want to invest in exterior body armor to help protect your Wrangler’s paint and frame. Jeep service centers like ours offer the option to buy and order Jeep OEM parts, such as rock rails, heavier-duty bumpers and fenders, full underbody skid plates, and much more. You can even add on corner guards and windshield frame covers. These items can all help protect against off-roading damage. Rocks fly, logs puncture, and off-pavement ruts can jar you when you least expect it. When you add on additional Wrangler armor, you can help avoid the most common off-road debris.

Keep Your Jeep for Years to Come!

Jeep models are great at holding their value, especially the Wranglers. No one wants to invest money into a brand-new vehicle just to see it quickly dwindle with age. In fact, this is why you bought a Jeep in the first place! As recently as 2021, the popular Unlimited (four-door) Jeep Wrangler follows closely second to the Limited (two-door) model as the vehicle with the highest resale values. Similar trends have occurred during other years, with the Wrangler topping the resale value charts.

Remember that this depends on how well you take care of your Wrangler. Use OEM parts, check your tires and alignment, and get regular oil changes. Ensure you don’t leave your Jeep covered from bumper to bumper in dried mud after an off-roading adventure. Protect your Jeep correctly if you plan to go off-roading. These are some simple yet effective ways to ensure that your Jeep lasts for years to come.