Episode 642 – Pump Up your Jeep With This!
This Week In Jeep
New Performance Trademark From Jeep
Jeep is always trademarking things. Seriously, at least two or three a year if not more. It’s the public notices of these trademark filings that let us in the press core know what Jeep is up to or what they may be planning. The automaker has thrown a bit of a curveball with this latest filing, but I think I can make sense of it all. Jeep’s trademark filings aren’t always sketches of cool new designs or concepts soon to be seen at the next Easter Jeep Safari that clearly point out the intent and purpose of what you see.
If only it were that cool. More often than not, it’s a simple phrase, a single word or set of words that Jeep wants to use for something specific, and they want to protect this wording as intellectual property. We saw that with the “EcoDiesel” and “Gladiator” wording before their releases. More recently there was also Tomahawk, Road Tripper, and High Tide. All leaving the door wide open for interpretation and possible future uses. Like what Jeep did with “Orange Peelz” (spelled with a z) … that was filed back in early 202, but wasn’t used until the concept Jeep was shown at the 2021 EJS.
This week Jeep may have just let us secretly know that they have a replacement already in the works for when they mothball the Trackhawk badge. Jeep has filed trademark protection for “Jeep Xtreme Performance” … those three words in that order, and their abbreviation “JXP” were both filed at the same time. To date, Jeep and whoever its parent company is at the time, currently holds over 466 words, names or phrases under intellectual property protection. If you’re morbidly curious like I was, well… we’ve got the link to all 466 trademarked words in the show notes for this episode at Jeeptalkshow.com. https://www.gerbenlaw.com/trademarks/cars/fiat-chrysler/
“Xtreme” (spelled with an “X” to let you know it’s so hardcore it doesn’t have time for correct spelling,) is already being used in the Jeep lineup, so this is a sign that Jeep is after some branding with this name. 
After all, Jeep has been using “X” in one form or another for decades. The current use for the “X” is with the Xtreme Rubicon trim package introduced for the 2021 model year Wrangler. The roots for the “X” and Jeep go back quite a number of years though. Historically, the “X” designation referred to the base model Wrangler. There were 2 different types of Jeeps that carried the X badge.
The first was the base trim TJ in 2002. And the Wrangler X also ran in the JK up until 2009 and was replaced by the Sport trim in 2010. Since then the “X” has only shown up in easter eggs like in the reference to the old steel jerry cans carried on the Willys that had an X stamped into the side of it. We see that now in the brake light lenses of some Jeeps. Of course 
“Jeep Xtreme Performance” or “JXP” may end up being introduced as a performance package, perhaps only on the Grand Cherokee, perhaps available for all Jeeps. Who knows. Jeep hasn’t ruled out launching a successor to the previous Hellcat-powered Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, though the automaker has hinted that any future performance Grand Cherokee will likely skip the V-8 in favor of an electrified powertrain or possibly the new twin-turbo inline-six. Perhaps a name change is planned along with a change in the powertrain. Stellantis’ new twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 is already confirmed to deliver more than 500 hp. Paired with an electric drive system, we could be looking at performance to match the 707 hp of the Hellcat supercharged 6.2-liter V-8. The twin-turbo engine, dubbed the Hurricane, at present is only confirmed for Jeep’s Grand Wagoneer, which we should see as an option at some point in the 4th quarter of 2022.
The Jeep Wrangler plug-in hybrid just outsold all of Toyota’s plug-ins combined
If you’re a die-hard Prius fan then it will likely surprise you to learn that the best-selling plug-in hybrid vehicle in America is, of all things, a Jeep Wrangler. And I’d be just as surprised to learn that die-hard Prius fans listen to this show. But the burly, boxy SUV engineered for hard off-road driving, is once again outselling any and every other hybrid. There are of course other, seemingly more likely contenders, like the Toyota Rav4 Prime, admittingly doing quite well for itself in the family-friendly crossover segment. And of course the former throne holder, the Toyota Prius Prime. But the Wrangler 4xe is the plug-in hybrid sales leader by a gigantic margin. I mean it’s not even close. In the first half of 2022, the Jeep plug-in outsold the next-most-popular plug-in hybrid, the Toyota 
Rav4 Prime, by almost double. Toyota reported that it sold 10,153 of its plug-in hybrid SUV in the first six months of 2022 compared to 19,207 plug-in hybrid Wranglers. In fact, the Wrangler 4xe alone outsold all the Toyota and Lexus plug-in hybrid models combined. This is despite the fact that Toyota, which introduced the hybrid Prius to the US in 2001, is a brand that’s almost synonymous with hybrids.
Keep in mind, that plug-in hybrids make up a tiny slice of the US car market. In the last quarter of 2021, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles — or PHEVs — made up just 1.4% of all passenger vehicles sold in America. That’s less than half the market share for fully electric vehicles and about a quarter the share for non-plug-in hybrids, which represented 6.1% of all vehicles sold here, according to the US government’s Energy Information Administration. The Wrangler 4Xe’s market dominance may have a lot to do with sheer availability though. Stellantis, Jeep’s parent company, is just producing a lot more of them than Toyota is of its plug-in hybrids. Also, as an off-road capable plug-in hybrid, the Wrangler 4Xe has no real direct competitors in the market today.
Despite what you may hear on the radio, see on TV, or are being brainwashed to believe, even the top leaders of both Toyota and Stellantis have repeatedly expressed skepticism of automakers going all-electric as a way to curb global warming. But it seems only The Jeep Talk Show and a couple of other fringe outlets are bothering to mention this. Even the presidents of the companies selling these vehicles, and who stand to make or lose the most money, have all said it makes more sense to give customers a range of options including gasoline, diesel, and hybrids since not all customers can use or even want fully electric vehicles. Despite the good news of Jeep, once again making the best-selling hybrid in America, Jim Morrison, head of the Jeep brand for North America has not said when or if Jeep will ever make the move to fully electrify its entire lineup.
Newbie Nuggets with Wendy
Using a Spotter – Series Part 2
In last week’s episode (638) we discussed using a spotter, their role and verbal commands along with some do’s and don’ts on your part. This week I continue with non-verbal commands in spotting, also referred to as hand signals.
These tend to help the driver keep their eyes on the spotter and pay attention vs only listening and looking out their driver’s window. The commands should be easy to understand and obvious. In other words, make the hand gestures simple but large and not obscured by clothing/gloves. I learned that on a cold day and the gloves I had on were black, my jacket was black and the driver couldn’t see my hand signals as easily. Once I removed the gloves and got my hands away from my body, no problem. At least not for the driver. My cold fingers on the other hand…
Some common non-verbal hand signals;
Point left: use your finger-pointed left for the driver to turn right.
Point right: use your finger pointed right for the driver to turn left.
Come forward: hand up with palms facing the spotter and a come forward motion
Go back: palms facing the driver held out with a pushing motion indicate to go back or reverse.
Climbing up/down a rock: The spotter will point to the tire and use their open palm in a rising palm up or lowering palm down motion to indicate that the tire is about to climb up a rock or come down off the rock.
STOP: With a closed fist: it Means STOP. A closed fist signifies that the driver MUST NOT move. This means don’t turn the wheel and DON’T let your foot off the brake, don’t put it in Park, or set the parking brake. The Jeep might move and pinch or trap someone’s fingers, or worse. This is really important if a Jeep is stuck and people are helping to move rocks under the Jeep, etc.
This has happened to me. I was helping to move rocks for a stuck Jeep that Bill had been spotting. Bill had him STOP so we could put rocks under his tires.
This driver got impatient, put it in Park, set the parking brake, and let his foot off the brake and the Jeep rolled forward. Luckily I was not injured but I thought that driver was going to get pulled through his window. Bill is not a violent person but this guy was an idiot and almost ran me over. That driver got a quick verbal lesson with words not normally coming from Bill’s mouth that STOP means STOP and don’t move!
Now, these commands may vary between spotters so if you aren’t sure what something means, ask them. The only time I would use verbal commands while using non-verbal is if I needed to explain or talk to the driver. I would talk to them quietly at their window while they were stopped. Of course, if there is something that could happen and the driver is not stopping I am not afraid to yell STOP. Again, it doesn’t happen very often but every once in a while excitement overcomes a driver and the brain isn’t watching me. I really love non-verbal because it’s calm and quiet and when we roll up to an obstacle and there are other jeepers, we watch. And when it’s our turn we simply guide each Jeep up and over obstacles with no yelling, no confusion, and the drivers have a great time. The looks on other jeepers faces are priceless (that’s my favorite part LOL). Being able to get a Jeep through with no verbal commands.
My absolute favorite way to spot non-verbally is when I have the driver mirror what I am doing. I learned this technique from Don Alexander with Trails 411. The spotter holds their hands up as if they were holding the driver’s steering wheel with their hands in the 2 o’clock and 10 o’clock positions. I move my hands (as if turning their steering wheel) in the direction I want the driver to turn. The driver sees this and applies the same motion. It’s amazing to watch this actually work and takes some time to get used to (if you are a spotter). The best thing I can say is this mirror image can show small or large movements. Compare that to someone saying “driver”. Does that mean a tiny turn or a full lock turn? With the mirror image, the spotter is showing you how much to turn. If they move a tiny bit, you move the steering wheel a tiny bit, if it needs to go full lock, then you go full lock. Visually it’s the best, in my opinion. If you are being spotted by non-verbal commands and they use this mirror image, it’s important to mirror the exact movement the spotter is asking of you. If it’s tiny, move a tiny bit and stay there. I see this sometimes; after directing a driver to turn the wheel, we have to “let go” of their wheel, straighten our hands and give them the “move forward” motion with our fingers or hands. The driver typically straightens the wheel and puts the wheel back where it started. It’s normal to want “return” to the starting point. We then explain that they need to leave the wheel where we left them until we give them another “steering direction.” We’re just trying to get them to move forward with the steering wheel in the position we left them in. Once the driver feels comfortable with what I am asking/showing, it’s seamless.
Visibility of the spotter is also very important. It’s vital for the driver to see the spotter clearly at all times and for the spotter to clearly see the driver. The spotter may need to adjust their position so that you can see them. If you can’t see them, speak up. Sometimes the Jeep may be in a climbing position and the spotter needs to get to a higher position so you can see them or come down off an obstacle, the spotter may need to adjust lower down so you can see each other. When you are driving, if you can’t see your spotter, ask for them to move so you can see them.
As a newbie driver, I am always suggesting you get out and look at the obstacle for yourself before driving through it. Watch other Jeeps go through and watch how that spotter is getting them through. You will also note if they are using verbal vs non-verbal commands. If you watch others and you aren’t quite sure what form the spotter is using, please ask. Don’t be afraid to get some clarification. This is your chance to learn and experience what your Jeep can do over obstacles. Once you start driving over obstacles, you will love the exhilaration of accomplishing that obstacle. Using a spotter, in the beginning, is beneficial to learning what your Jeep is capable of and how it feels.
BTW using a spotter is a badge of honor. It means you tackled a tough obstacle (whether it’s your first time or you are an experienced driver). Having an extra set of eyes is so powerful. Don’t be afraid to use a spotter – that goes for all you experienced drivers too!
Next week I will finish this series with how to pick your line.
Jeep Talk Show Gladiator Update
The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
The flag should never be used for wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery.
I consider it disrespectful to put a green line, blue line, or anything on the American flag that isn’t red white, and blue.
Links Mentioned in this Episode
NEXEN Tires USA https://www.nexentireusa.com/
Trails 411- POWERING Your Adventure https://www.youtube.com/user/backcountrydriver
The 4×4 Radio Network http://4x4radionetwork.com/
Interact With The Show! https://jeeptalkshow.com/contact
Jeep Talk Show on Facebook https://facebook.com/jeeptalkshow
Rat Bastards Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/ratbastard
Rat Bastards Webpage https://ratbastard.lol
Looking for Amazon products we’ve talked about on the show? https://jeeptalkshow.com/amazon
You are invited to our Discord Server! https://discord.gg/txeYMs45sm
Show notes powered by sevenslats.com