Jeep Wrangler2018 Owner's Manual page 371

Determine if it has ingested water first. The key to any
crossing is low and slow. Shift into first gear (manual
transmission), or DRIVE (automatic transmission), with the
transfer case in the 4L (Low) position and proceed very
slowly with a constant slow speed {3 to 5 mph (5 to 8
km/h) maximum} and light throttle. Keep the vehicle
moving; do not try to accelerate through the crossing. After
crossing any water higher than the bottom of the axle
differentials, you should inspect all of the vehicle fluids for
signs of water ingestion.
CAUTION!
• Water ingestion into the axles, transmission, transfer
case, engine or vehicle interior can occur if you drive
too fast or through too deep of water. Water can cause
permanent damage to engine, driveline or other
vehicle components, and your brakes will be less
effective once wet and/or muddy.
• When driving through water, do not exceed 5 mph
(8 km/h). Always check water depth before entering
as a precaution, and check all fluids afterward.
Driving through water may cause damage that may
not be covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Before You Cross Any Type Of Water
As you approach any type of water, you need to determine if
you can cross it safely and responsibly. If necessary, get out
and walk through the water or probe it with a stick. You need
to be sure of its depth, approach angle, current and bottom
condition. Be careful of murky or muddy waters; check for
hidden obstacles. Make sure you will not be intruding on any
wildlife, and you can recover the vehicle if necessary. The key
to a safe crossing is the water depth, current and bottom
conditions. On soft bottoms, the vehicle will sink in, effec-
tively increasing the water level on the vehicle. Be sure to
consider this when determining the depth and the ability to
safely cross.
Crossing Puddles, Pools, Flooded Areas Or Other
Standing Water
Puddles, pools, flooded or other standing water areas
normally contain murky or muddy waters. These water
types normally contain hidden obstacles and make it
difficult to determine an accurate water depth, approach
angle, and bottom condition. Murky or muddy water holes
are where you want to hook up tow straps prior to
entering. This makes for a faster, cleaner and easier vehicle
recovery. If you are able to determine you can safely cross,
than proceed using the low and slow method.
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