Jeep Wave

Have you been driving your Jeep, or you are a new Jeep owner and had another Jeep driver wave at you. Well, you are experiencing that famous and friendly salute or wave, which some say is a tradition going back to World War II. The Jeep wave has a history and nuances that might not be apparent to Jeep owners old and new. Jeep wave is one of the most used driving gestures of all time.

While the exact origin of the Jeep wave is unknown, Jeep intellectuals and researchers have traced the gesture back to these three leading theories.

Theory #1

The Jeep wave started back in WWII, when soldiers would wave to one another in solidarity or to acknowledge each other while driving Jeeps (more specifically, the Willys MB or the Ford GPW) on patrol or for transportation.

Theory #2

The Jeep wave started after the war, when returning soldiers purchased their first CJ or VJ models and waved to acknowledge one another for their honorable service.

Theory #3

The wave started much later in the 1960s and 70s, with the advent of off-roading culture to salute another kindred spirit. We find this last theory most probable because many car brand communities have similar waves, especially for rare vehicles. In the early years, the Jeep wave was the domain of CJ/YJ/TJ owners but has since expanded to any Jeep model, from off-roaders to daily drivers.

No matter when or how the Jeep wave started it is a friendly greeting between Jeep owners as they drive past each other. While there is a Jeep wave hierarchy about which driver waves first the Jeep wave is simply a way to show respect from one Jeeper to another. We wave because we love our Jeeps and appreciate other Jeep drivers who share the lifestyle and comradery in the Jeep community.

It depends on your wave style and driving circumstances. A Jeep wave can be as simple as extending two or four fingers from the steering wheel, wave with your whole hand, operating without a roof can extend an arm skyward with a waved hand or two fingers and doors off raise your hand above the windshield or without doors lend themselves to a motion akin to the biker wave where the driver extends an arm down and out with two fingers. Jeepers can tweak the wave based on safety, preference, and conditions.

Steering Wheel Waves

Windshield Waves

Doorless and /or Topless Waves

Some believe there should be rules and etiquette on who waves first. The following are some of those rules for waving.

Respect your elders

Older Jeeps rank higher than new Jeeps. Respecting your elders is a pillar of the Jeep wave community. The older Jeep models deserve the respect of receiving the wave first. This particularly applies to classic or vintage Jeeps. If you drive a JK Wrangler and see a Willys MB, CJ or YJ, you throw up that wave first.

Modifications and Accessory

The more accessories or modified your Jeep, the higher its rank in the Jeep wave order. Extras and modifications beyond the standard equipment like winches, jacks, snorkels, body armor, lift kits, and large tires all increase your Jeep score. Subjectivity plays into this judgment because a vintage Jeep deserves more respect than modifications. Example, Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon lifted on 40’s would wave first to a stock CJ-2A.

Dirty, Muddy, or fresh off the old trail

If your Jeep is squeaky clean from the car wash or you have not taken it out mudding in weeks, you best defer to the Jeep still caked in mud fresh from the trail. The more visual evidence that your Jeep is well-used and well-loved, the more props you should get. Newer, cleaner Jeeps wave first; older and visibly used Jeeps return the wave.

Jeep Model Matters

All Jeeps can participate in the Jeep wave but not all Jeeps are equal. There is a distinct difference between Wranglers and all other models, all other models wave first. The only exception is rule # 1, the classic or vintage overrides all.

The Jeep wave is so popular that Jeep named their exclusive service contract after the famous hand gesture. Jeep Wave membership offers a bevy of exciting benefits to qualifying vehicles. All Jeeps manufactured in 2016 or later are eligible to enroll at your local Jeep dealers.

Even if you do not take advantage of the Jeep Wave program, the important thing is to keep its namesake alive. Show respect for other Jeepers and the beautiful vehicles that we all love. If another Jeep owner waves at you, wave back. And pass it on.