Jeep Off-Road Capability Explained

Jeep offers multiple 4x4 systems across the lineup, quite a few actually. They include Active Drive, Active Drive Low, Active Drive I, Active Drive II, Active Drive Lock, Command-Trac, Rock-Trac, Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Trac II with an Electronic Limited Slip Rear Differential. All of these systems are a variation of either all-wheel drive, full-time four-wheel drive, part-time four-wheel drive, or on-demand 4WD. Here's what all of these names mean.
All-Wheel Drive: This type of system drives all four wheels at the same time, all the time. All-wheel drive is perfect for seamless driving on all road surfaces. These systems are capable of ensuring that if one wheel or axle begins to slip, the wheel or axle with the most traction will get up to 100% of available torque to pull the vehicle out.
Full-Time 4x4: Jeep's full-time 4x4 systems employ either a center differential or a clutch to turn the front driveshafts at different speeds. It functions in 4WD by default without the driver needing to flip a switch or pull a lever to maintain solid traction on inclement road conditions. Unlike the AWD systems, full-time 4x4 has a 4-Low setting which gives drivers optimal control when rock crawling and driving on other rugged terrains.
Part-time 4x4: These systems operate by default in two-wheel drive. When driving on normal road conditions, it's recommended to keep the vehicle in 2WD to avoid driveline noise and binding which can lead to overheating. Instead of using a center differential, part-time 4x4 employs locking front and rear differentials to provide maximum traction on rugged terrain.
On-demand 4WD: On-demand 4WD acts similarly to part-time 4x4 in that it defaults to two-wheel drive. When the system detects wheel slip, 4WD is automatically activated to transfer up to 100% of torque to the axle with the most traction the moment slippage is sensed. This provides confidence on all road surfaces, no matter where your journeys take you!

Quadra-Lift is the name of Jeep's air suspension system. Jeep vehicles that are equipped with Quadra-Lift employ air springs at all four corners to provide a smooth ride on all road surfaces and also excellent ground clearance for your off-road needs. Quadra-Lift has five adjustable height settings, Normal Ride Height, Off-Road 1, Off-Road II, Park Mode, and Aero Mode. Off-Road 2 raises the system one inch from NRH while Off-Road 2 raises it two inches. This maximizes ground clearance to clear obstacles on all kinds of trails. Park Mode lowers the suspension system to its lowest ground clearance height to allow easy access for all occupants. Lastly, Aero mode provides a fun-to-drive on-road experience while maximizing fuel economy. Quadra-Lift is an automatic system, meaning you don't have to stop to adjust the system. Other than off-road capability, Quadra-Lift provides a smoother ride than coil springs by absorbing more shock than coils and adapting to varying road conditions.

This is Jeep's Traction Management System. It is available on a rotary knob placed within easy reach of the driver on the center console. Selec-Terrain has five available drive modes, Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, and Sand/Mud. When the Selec-Terrain dial is in Auto, the 4x4 system will automatically adjust to accommodate for the current road condition it detects. Sport mode lowers the Quadra-Lift system and adjusts throttle control and transmission shift points to provide a fun driving experience. Rock mode raises the Quadra-Lift system and coordinates the transfer case, throttle, and differentials to provide the optimal low-speed crawling capability. Snow mode optimizes the traction control system to limit or prevent wheel slippage to give drivers an optimal grip on snow-covered roads. Lastly, Sand/Mud mode automatically adjusts the traction control system to react to wheel spin and seamlessly redistribute torque to the wheels with the most grip in sandy and muddy conditions.

Very few vehicle manufacturers can compare to Jeep when it comes to off-road capability. If you want to step into the legendary Jeep lineup, come down to Gillman Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Houston, Texas to see for yourself why off-road enthusiasts from the Rubicon Trail in California to the near-impossible terrain of Moab, Utah, and just about everywhere else! If you can't make it to the dealership just yet, you can find our full Jeep inventory right here on our website! However you shop, we look forward to serving you!