Off-Road in a AWD Car
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Several of the reviews have mentioned a slight hesitation as the brake assisted traction control adjusts to the situation. This could result in a loss of momentum. I think that by adjusting your driving style a little it will not be that big of an issue.
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I believe that the traction control can be turned off. Adjusting driving or turning traction control off when necessary will hopefully make this a non-issue.
Regards,
Dan.
Regards,
Dan.
Seeing all these commercials for the Trailhawk has me curious too on whether if it actually is able to perform on all terrains or is it just purely for marketing. In a long run if you decide to take the Cherokee off road often will there be damage in the differential and transmission?
im sure at some point they will say whatever damage was caused was due to the owners negligence. i bet they'll have some sort of rating for it.
Damage
The TH has skid plates to help prevent damage.
Obviously 4 wheeling has an inherent risk that the driver assumes.
The TH performs as advertised. It will not keep up with Wranglers, GC Trailhawks or modified older Jeeps in some situations. There are many situations that demand more than 8.8" ground clearance and a higher approach/departure angles than what the CH has.
The TH has skid plates to help prevent damage.
Obviously 4 wheeling has an inherent risk that the driver assumes.
The TH performs as advertised. It will not keep up with Wranglers, GC Trailhawks or modified older Jeeps in some situations. There are many situations that demand more than 8.8" ground clearance and a higher approach/departure angles than what the CH has.
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The TH will more than cover most off road situations I plan to explore here in Colorado. Slight low creek water fording and it all looks good.
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The Trailhawk line wouldn't be Trail Rated if it couldn't at least do some off-roading so I think it will perform ok - obviously not as good as a smaller Jeep Wrangler but it won't be incapacitated out there.
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I think the Cherokee will be better off-road than the Wrangler is on-road. For really serious off-roading, clearly you'd buy a Wrangler and mod the heck out of it-- not that it's a slouch in stock form! Choose the Cherokee if you want a vehicle with road manners and efficiency, and the fun still doesn't have to end when the pavement does : )
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No so fast my friend...
The 4x4 concern is true in my 1995 Z071... not in my wrangler, different system.
didnt know that as im new to jeeps, why does it get stuck like that?
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490 Posts
Most 4x4 Systems require a little movement to engage the 4WD. If you are stuck in the Mud, its too late. Its always better to turn on 4wd before you get stuck. A side effect of AWD is that you wouldn't have that concern.
I'm not sure about the rear locker though, I've never had one. Does anyone else know about that?
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The manual says you may need to drive forward swerving left and right to get the locker to engage. This is common with the selectable lockers on the market. I actually prefer a full time locker for the rear as it is always there when you need it. But, I don't plan on doing that kind of wheeling in the TH.
You should be able to engage 4low at a dead stop.
You should be able to engage 4low at a dead stop.
I have engaged the 4lo in my wrangler at a dead stop numerous times.
Even with 4wd a rear locker is a great asset in rough terrain. It is similar to "posi-traction" used in sports cars... locks the rear axles together to keep both moving.
An AWD is always engaged and modern systems do a decent job of directing power to the wheels with traction but it will not lock up any of the axles... that is why it can be driven on dry pavement.
Even with 4wd a rear locker is a great asset in rough terrain. It is similar to "posi-traction" used in sports cars... locks the rear axles together to keep both moving.
An AWD is always engaged and modern systems do a decent job of directing power to the wheels with traction but it will not lock up any of the axles... that is why it can be driven on dry pavement.
So is the only way to push it or move the wheels slightly to activate the 4wd again?
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