Jeep WRANGLER 2020 Owner's Manual page 280

278 STARTING AND OPERATING
Using A Spotter
There are many times where it is hard to see
the obstacle or determine the correct path.
Determining the correct path can be extremely
difficult when you are confronting many
obstacles. In these cases have someone guide
you over, through, or around the obstacle. Have
the person stand a safe distance in front of you
where they can see the obstacle, watch your tires
and undercarriage, and guide you through.
Crossing Large Rocks
When approaching large rocks, choose a path
which ensures you drive over the largest of them
with your tires. This will lift your undercarriage
over the obstacle. The tread of the tire is tougher
and thicker than the side wall and is designed to
take the abuse. Always look ahead and make
every effort to cross the large rocks with your
tires.
CAUTION!
Never attempt to straddle a rock that is

large enough to strike your axles or under-
carriage.
Never attempt to drive over a rock which is

large enough to contact the door sills.
Crossing A Ravine, Gully, Ditch, Washout Or Rut
When crossing a ravine, gully, ditch, washout or a
large rut, the angled approach is the key to
maintaining your vehicle's mobility. Approach
these obstacles at a 45-degree angle and let
each tire go through the obstacle independently.
You need to use caution when crossing large
obstacles with steep sides. Do not attempt to
cross any large obstacle with steep sides at an
angle great enough to put the vehicle at risk of a
rollover. If you get caught in a rut, dig a small
trench to the right or left at a 45-degree angle
ahead of the front tires. Use the removed dirt to
fill the rut ahead of the turnout you just created.
You should now be able to drive out following the
trench you just created at a 45-degree angle.
WARNING!
There is an increased risk of rollover when
crossing an obstacle, at any angle, with steep
sides.
Crossing Logs
To cross a log, approach it at a slight angle
(approximately 10 to 15 degrees). This allows
one front tire to be on top of the log while the
other just starts to climb the log. While climbing
the log, modulate your brake and accelerator to
avoid spinning the log out from under your tires.
Then ease the vehicle off the log using your
brakes.
CAUTION!
Do not attempt to cross a log with a greater
diameter than the running ground clearance
or the vehicle will become high-centered.
Getting High-Centered
If you get hung up or high-centered on an object,
get out of the vehicle and try to determine what
the vehicle is hung up on, where it is contacting
the underbody and what is the best direction to
recover the vehicle. Depending on what you are
in contact with, jack the vehicle up and place a
few rocks under the tires so the weight is off of
the high point when you let the vehicle down.
You can also try rocking the vehicle or winching
the vehicle off the object.
CAUTION!
Winching or rocking the vehicle off hard
objects increases the risk of underbody
damage.