Updated at: 12-06-2022 - By: Lucas

The Jeep Wrangler is one of the most well-known off-road vehicles, which makes its performance a very controversial topic.

It has been around for a long time, well into its fourth generation. People use it for extreme sports, driving to work, and even at the beach.

With so much use, it makes you wonder how many miles it can last.

The Simple Answer

jeep wrangler lifespan

Different things affect how many miles a Jeep Wrangaler can go, but if it is well taken care of, it can go up to 400,000 miles.

Older models can usually go up to 200,000 miles before they start to have major problems.

Overall, a Jeep Wrangler is made to work well for more than 15 years, while most cars start to have problems around the 5-year mark.

The 20-year mark is also possible; the key is to stick to a regular maintenance schedule.

Maintenance Tips for Increased Longevity

jeep wrangler lifespan-2

Some tips for taking care of your Jeep Wrangler that will help you get the most out of it are:

Changing Your Oil and Tires

The first thing you can do to make your car last longer is to change the oil every six months, which is about every 5,000 miles.

When you do this, make sure to change the filter every time you change the oil, or at least every 20,000 miles.

Tires should be rotated at least once a year or rebalanced every 6,000 to 8,000 miles.

Even if it gets worn down, this helps keep it in great shape for off-road trips.

Keep Track of Electrical Malfunctioning

Due to being in mud and water when you go off-roading, you are likely to notice signs of electrical problems before you notice other problems.

Some examples of electrical problems are lights and gauges that don’t work, cars that are hard to start, and air conditioners that don’t work well.

The radiator leaking, the transfer case leaking, and the rear main seal leaking are all other signs of damage that mean the car needs to be fixed.

Wax Your Jeep Wrangler

Waxing will also be an important part of your maintenance because your exterior will be in constant contact with things like rocks and snow, which can cause rust and corrosion.

Waxing is a way to prevent rust and corrosion, which can save you money on maintenance costs when you’re upgrading your car.

Since the undercarriage is constantly exposed to weather that could damage it, waxing it will help it a lot.

Check Your Engine

Every 4-5 years, you should also have your battery checked.

Since batteries rarely show signs of damage until it’s too late, this is another thing to add to your maintenance checklist.

Your mechanic can help you clean the battery terminals and make sure that the cables are securely attached to the battery.

If you see any loose terminals, make sure to tighten them so that you don’t do any damage while driving.

Look at your engine.

For your vehicle to keep running well, you will also need to take care of the engine. Every part is important to keeping your Jeep Wrangler on the road, and a broken part could make your vehicle less useful.

Every 50,000 to 80,000 miles, parts like the hose, drive belt, and engine timing belt will need to be replaced.

Also, make sure you use the right engine oil to keep your Wrangler running well.

If you use the wrong oil, your engine could break down over time, which would make it cost more to replace.

An engine with additives that reduce friction will be the best choice because it will help you get better gas mileage and cut your costs by a lot.

Seek Professional Help

Self-service will help you keep track of changes and problems as they happen, but a professional, like a mechanic, can help you figure out what’s wrong if you don’t know how.

This will be especially helpful if your Jeep Wrangler was made in the 2000s or later.

The serpentine belt is an example of something that could use the help of an expert. If you replace it the wrong way, you could end up with a broken air pump and alternator.

Be on the Lookout for Wear and Tear

jeep wrangler lifespan-3

Just like any other vehicle, the Jeep Wrangler will wear out over time and need to be checked regularly.

Some places to keep an eye out for are:

The Suspension System

The Jeep Wrangler’s suspension system is one part that can get worn down over time. This can happen when the vehicle is used a lot off-road or when bad weather hits.

If your Jeep Wrangler’s suspension isn’t working right, it will start to shake when you go over speed bumps, lean when you turn, and have a stiffer steering wheel.

If these problems aren’t fixed, they will only get worse, so things like the U-bolt, leaf springs, and leaf spring bolts need to be changed.

Rear Brakes

Few people know that your Wrangler’s rear brakes will wear out faster than its front brakes.

On average, brake pads last about 40,000 miles. After that, you can replace them as often as you need to, depending on how much you drive.

Often, the front and back rotors of a newer car will wear out at different rates. This means that the car may need more care.

If your Jeep Wrangler is making strange noises, you might want to have your rear brakes checked. It will be an important part of your maintenance and let you know if you need to replace or upgrade something.

The second choice might be better in the long run, since most upgrades give you drilled and slotted rotors for both the front and back brakes.

You can also get performance ceramic disc pads to make them last longer.

Lastly, don’t forget to clean your drum brakes to get rid of things like mud and snow that could make it hard for you to stop.

Tires

The tyres on a Jeep Wrangler will also get a lot of wear and tear from being in places like rough mountains and muddy roads all the time.

Most Wrangler tyres have wear bars between the tread blocks that show when they are getting close to the end of their useful life.

Make it a point to get new ones around 40,000 miles to keep your Jeep from wearing out too quickly.

If you don’t do this, they will lose their grip, which will slow you down when you drive.

Your tyre pressure also needs to be kept at the right level, since too much or too little pressure causes your car to use more gas and wear down the sidewalls of your tyres.

Shock Absorbers

When a vehicle is used for normal, everyday tasks, the shock absorbers usually last between 4 and 5 years, but if you use it a lot, you may need to have them checked more often during this time.

When you reach 40,000 miles, you should have a mechanic check them out.

After that, you can have them checked once a year to make sure you keep up with any replacement or upgrade needs.

Soft Top

Buyers of Jeep Wranglers can choose between a soft top and a hard top.

As the name implies, a soft-top is more likely to get worn out than a hard-top.

Since sailcloth vinyl is used to make soft tops, UV rays can damage them. This is another area you might want to look into.

Here are a few things you can do to keep your soft top in good shape:

Parking in Sheltered Spaces

Extreme weather like snow, strong storms, and rain will eventually damage your soft top.

Because of this, you should keep your car away from these things. A garage is the best place to do this.

Owners of Jeep Wranglers who live in hot places will also need to have their windows fixed.

The sun’s rays will cause more wear and tear, and after five years of use, many windows will need to be fixed.

Repair Damaged Tops

Even though you can usually control how well you keep track of the weather forecast, wear and tear is likely to happen when you least expect it.

When this happens, small tears will form in your soft top, which can be fixed with convertible or soft top repair kits.

Larger tears will need to be fixed by a professional, which is where a soft-top repairer can help.

If there is a lot of damage, your repair person can also help you get a new top.

Use the Proper Cleaning Practices

Last, think about using the right tools and cleaning methods.

Use special cleaners and a hairbrush that can be used in different ways when you wash your hair.

A Jeep Wrangler is a must-have for your life, as these vehicles are made to give you the best performance and last the longest on rough terrain.

Even so, your Wrangler can still benefit from regular maintenance.

Look for signs of damage and make sure you take care of your car the right way to get the most out of it.