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Thursday, June 2, 2011, Alan and Jackie Ellis-When you own a Jeep® brand vehicle, it’s hard to resist the urge to take your vehicle off-road. We bought our Jeep vehicle to not only experience the adventure lifestyle, but also to go places without the benefit of a paved road. Trail Rated® Jeep brand vehicles offer that opportunity. So with the next series of articles, we’ll talk about some basic off-roading techniques and how you can safely enjoy your Jeep 4×4 on the trail. Off-roading can involve many different types of obstacles, each one presenting different challenges for both the driver and the vehicle. Water fording and driving in mud are two obstacles that are fun and exciting if done properly and safely.
Knowing how to ford water and get through mud is a useful skill for every off-road driver. Almost every off-roading area in the United States (including the desert) will eventually have a place where you will need to cross a stream, ford a large water obstacle, or drive through mud. The two primary concerns for water and mud obstacles are safety and potential damage to your vehicle.
Water Obstacles: Crossing streams and water obstacles are fun and exciting! While you’ve probably seen drivers speed up and roar across a stream, it may not be the smartest thing to do in certain situations….especially through an unknown water obstacle. The first thing you’ll need to know is your own vehicle’s capability. It is important to check your owner’s manual to determine your vehicle’s maximum water fording depth. As an example, a 2010 Trail Rated® Jeep Wrangler’s maximum water depth is 30 inches at speeds under 5 mph, and a 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee is 20 inches for standing water and 9 inches for flowing water, both under 5 mph. If you don’t have your manual handy when you get to the water, a general rule of thumb is that water up to the bottom of the bumper is a safe depth to cross to avoid damage (but some models may be lower). Water that is too deep can cause damage to the engine, transmission, differentials, and electronics.
Once you arrive at the water crossing, use a long stick to determine initial water depth, or get out and walk out into the stream if it is not too swift and can be done safely. Put your vehicle in 4WD Low, drive slowly, and be ready to back off if the water gets too deep. Watch for large rocks or holes that may appear as you cross. It’s also important to remember to keep moving at all times and not to stop mid-stream. Never cross a water obstacle without another vehicle to assist with recovery equipment if needed. After crossing, use your brakes lightly until they dry out. If necessary have your vehicle inspected to check for water in the differential or transmission.
Mud: Usually, if there is water present, there will also be mud. Mud can also take us by surprise as it can sometimes be camouflaged by other debris. Or….maybe you just want to go mudding! Either way, mud can be a fun challenge on an off-road trail. Unlike water (where you can sometimes see the depth), the depth of mud can be hard to judge. You can get seriously stuck in mud, so it’s essential to make sure you have recovery equipment and another vehicle close by to pull you out if needed.
Do not proceed if there are no tracks on the other side of the mud hole. The important thing about mud is to make sure you’re in 4WD low, avoid excessively spinning the tires, and KEEP MOVING. Beware of the middle of deep ruts where you could easily high-center. If you start to get bogged down, slightly turn your steering wheel from side to side to gain more traction while continuing forward momentum. Once you get back to civilization, use a pressure washer to clean the underside of your vehicle to get rid of excess weight and prevent corrosion.
Water and mud can be fun and challenging off-roading obstacles. By keeping these tips in mind, you can enjoy your Trail Rated® Jeep vehicle as it was meant to be used without compromising safety and without damaging your vehicle. Do you like water and mud obstacles? Where is a great place in your area where water and mud can be enjoyed with your Jeep brand vehicle?
As always, click any of the pictures in this post to see more images of Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Vehicles. Thanks again for checking out Chrysler Catchall!
April 20, 2011 , New York – The most powerful, technologically advanced, high-performance Jeep® vehicle ever – the all-new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8® – arrives this summer with a combination of Jeep’s legendary capability and utility, merged with the renowned advanced performance engineering from Chrysler Group LLC’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) team.
Delivering outstanding driving performance in all conditions, and complemented by key SRT attributes – including functional, performance-oriented styling, world-class ride and handling, benchmark braking and race-inspired interior appointments – the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 broadens the Jeep vehicle lineup and builds upon the successful launch of the award-winning 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
“The all-new 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8 is the ultimate performance SUV, delivering a combination of Jeep capability and utility, world-class performance, luxury and refinement, and advanced innovative technology,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO — Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Jeep vehicles have long been known for their off-road capability. In addition to Jeep four-wheel-drive traction and utility, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 takes capability to a new level by giving driving enthusiasts extreme performance for the street and track.
“Our new benchmark performance SUV effectively broadens the Grand Cherokee portfolio, and will continue to draw new customers into Jeep showrooms,” Manley added.
Designed and built using the proven SRT formula that raises the performance to astonishing levels, the new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 runs from 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds, 0-100-0 mph in the mid-16 second range, can cover the quarter mile in the mid-13 second range, has a top speed of 155 mph, and brakes from 60-0 mph in 116 feet.
Owners of any Chrysler Group SRT vehicle receive one day of professional driving instruction from the Richard Petty Racing School as part of the SRT Track Experience, designed to maximize their driving knowledge and skills on the street or track. Sessions are held throughout the year at selected tracks.
Awe-inspiring powertrain
Powering the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is Chrysler Group’s all-new 6.4-liter HEMI® V-8 with Fuel Saver Technology that delivers an estimated 465 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque – an improvement of 45 horsepower and 45 lb.-ft. torque over the 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 it replaces.
An active intake manifold and high-lift camshaft with cam phasing delivers maximum low-end torque while optimizing high-end power across a wider and improved rpm band. Specifically, 90-percent of peak torque is available between 2,800 and 6,000 rpm, allowing for inspired standing starts and improved straight-line performance.
Standard Fuel Saver Technology and a new-for-2012 active valve exhaust system allows four-cylinder operation to engage over a wider rpm range, to deliver both improved fuel efficiency – an estimated 13-percent increase on the highway – and an extended range of approximately 450 miles on one tank of gas.
Standard steering wheel mounted paddle shifters join the standard AutoStick on the floor. Both are mated to a proven automatic transmission, allowing a choice of spirited shifting on the road and the race track. Both methods give the driver the ability to shift while the transmission controller calibration prevents situations that might over rev the engine. Fully adaptive electronic control of all shifting makes the powertrain more responsive while minimizing harshness.
Outstanding ride, handling and capability
For 2011, all Jeep Grand Cherokee models boast an improved and refined on-road ride thanks in part to the vehicle’s body structure. Torsional stiffness was improved 146 percent versus the previous model, for improved ride, durability and reduced noise, vibration and harshness. The improvement is achieved with more than 5,400 welds in the body alone, marking a 53-percent increase in spot welds, a 42-percent increase in arc welds and a 38-percent increase in structural adhesive.
With the new 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8, engineers have improved handling even further.
The best handling Jeep vehicle ever – capable of .90 g on the skid pad – features a new SRT-tuned, adaptive damping suspension managed by the new Jeep Selec-Track system that interacts with several different systems (stability control, adaptive damping, transmission shift strategy, transfer case torque proportioning, Electronic Limited Slip Differential performance, throttle control and cylinder de-activation) to automatically tune the dynamics of the vehicle. Drivers can manually choose between five dynamic modes for specific driving conditions:
Auto: provides the most compliant ride and automatically adapts to any road situation using the adaptive suspension tuning
Sport: provides enhanced body control for a sporty, fun-to-drive ride for the street
Tow: provides a safe reduction in pitch and bounce for enhanced towing capability
Track: provides the high-performance, firm, “track-tuned” suspension option to lock down body motion for the ultimate handling experience
Snow: provides the most conservative dynamic mode, so the vehicle will safely stay
in-line in inclement winter weather conditions
The standard Jeep Quadra-Trac active on-demand four-wheel-drive transfer case uses input from a variety of sensors in order to determine tire slip at the earliest possible moment and take corrective action. The system uses Throttle Anticipate to sense quick movement in the throttle from a stop and maximizes traction before slippage occurs. When tire slippage is detected, the Jeep 4×4 system can transfer up to 100 percent of available torque to one rear wheel.
The transfer case also enhances handling by proportioning torque between the front and rear axles to maintain the driver’s intended path. The new Grand Cherokee SRT8 also features an Electronic Limited Slip Differential that eliminates rear wheel slip and improves handling.
The performance-tuned, fully-hydraulic steering system is improved with a new, heavy-duty pump and pump cooler. Revised gearing gives drivers more direct feel and on-center response.
New split 5-spoke, 20-inch forged aluminum wheels ride on P295/45ZR20 Pirelli PZero run-flat tires (standard All-season or available Three-season).
Rounding out the capability of the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is a trailer tow rating of 5,000 lbs.
Outstanding braking
Chrysler Group’s SRT vehicles are well known for their world-class braking. Stopping power for the 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8 comes courtesy of new SRT high-performance Brembo brakes with four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS).
Stopping distance performance of 116 feet from 60-0 mph is made possible by new red-painted, Brembo 6-piston (front) and 4-piston (rear) calipers, and vented rotors at all four corners measuring 15-inches (front) and 13.8-inches (rear).
Aggressive and functional exterior
The functional performance exterior of the 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8 features the “planted” look of a high-performance sports car by being lowered 1 inch and adding new, SRT-exclusive, body-color wheel flares and side sill cladding.
A one-piece front fascia contains new LED multi-function daytime running lamps that result in an exclusive face for the new Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, while a body-colored front grille with a unique black screen background and chrome bezel inserts adds to the aggressive look.
The integrated lower front grille is painted in gloss black and a newly designed underbody belly pan features integrated brake ducting to improve cooling and fade performance. Completing the new front end is a newly sculpted hood with functional dual black heat extractors for added engine cooling.
At the rear, the SRT performance influence continues with a new liftgate spoiler that reduces drag and improves downforce. A unique one-piece rear fascia includes a separate air diffuser along with an available trailer receiver and access cover. New for the 2012 version of the Grand Cherokee SRT8 is the dual-sport exhaust system featuring 4-inch exhaust tips.
Race-inspired and functional interior
The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s refined, luxurious interior takes on a performance feel in SRT8 form with race-inspired technology and SRT-exclusive appointments.
An all-new, leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel features a unique rim section with a flattened bottom surface – evoking a race-inspired cockpit – that showcases the SRT logo. Standard paddle-shift controls flank both sides of the new contoured palm rests while all audio and Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) controls are accessible from the horizontal spokes on the steering wheel. A power tilt and telescoping steering column also is standard.
SRT-exclusive Performance Pages are new for 2012 and show instant feedback on steering input measurements, horsepower, torque, 0-60 mph time, 60-0 mph braking distance, g-forces, and one-eighth mile and quarter-mile times, along with expanded engine information.
New SRT-styled Nappa leather and suede seats, with sculpted bolsters and adjustable headrests, provide all the comfort for daily drives – and “grip” to keep the driver and passengers in place during spirited driving. The embroidered SRT logos and contrast stitching accent the two front seats. Heated (front and rear) and ventilated (front) seats are standard.
Carbon fiber accents are integrated into the instrument panel and door trim panels and new bright, racing style brake and pedal pads add to the high-performance look inside the cabin.
An available CommandView® dual-pane sun roof provides twice as much glass surface than a standard sun roof and extends from the windshield to the rear of the vehicle.
The available Luxury Group package adds premium leather to the door trim panels, instrument panel and center console along with a power liftgate, adaptive cruise control, Forward Collision Warning and Blind-spot Monitoring.
Check out the Video below to see the new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. As always, click any of the images in the post to see more photos of Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Vehicles. Thanks again for checking out Chrysler Catchall!
In the auto business, you know it’s never too early to roll out the next year’s model — and cool, new features and upgrades — to your vehicle line up. That’s what Dodge is doing this week with the unveiling of the 2012 Dodge Avenger R/T at the New York International Auto Show.
In the video below, Dodge President/CEO Ralph Gilles and Dodge Avenger Brand Manager Pieter Hogeveen give you a peak at what you could call the “greatest American hero,” which will start flying into dealer showrooms during the third quarter.
For those of you who also like to read, have a look at what Dodge did to the 2012 Avenger R/T suspension:
- increased roll stiffness by 18%
- increased spring rates by 17% in the front and more than 12% in the rear
- front strut damping rates increased 15%
- rear strut damping rates are increased almost 20%
- rear stabilizer bar diameter is 2 mm larger, increased from 19 mm to 21 mm
The suspension changes result in a spirited, performance sedan driving experience, with best-in-class 283 horsepower. Manufacturered at our Sterling Heights (Mich.) Assembly Plant, the 2012 Avenger R/T delivers 29 miles per gallon on the highway and 19 mpg in the city.
Other highlights include:
- 3.6 liter Pentastar V-6 engine (one of Ward’s “10 Best Engines”) mated to a six-speed automatic transaxle
- unique exterior design elements, including a unique body-color grille with the Dodge badge, menacing black headlamp background, the “war paint” R/T decal on the front quarter panel and unique 18-in. painted aluminum wheels.
- Dodge Avenger is a 2011 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick, and includes a varity of high-end standard safety features
For more, catch the video below: