I drove my son to school in the Jeep all week. We had the back windows out, but the top up, because it was in the upper 40’s and 50’s. Fall is definitely here! So, every morning I passed the same Jeep between my house and the school. And every day I waved. And every day I got ignored. Which brings me to the title of this piece… it’s not just transportation, it’s a way of life.

If you’re not going to live it, don’t drive it. You’ll just frustrate the rest of us. And remember, if in doubt, just wave first! At least people won't be saying mean things about you as you drive away.

What is the Jeep Wave?

An honor bestowed upon those drivers with superior intelligence, taste, class, and tolerance to discomfort, to own the ultimate vehicle - the JEEP. Generally consists of a vigorous side to side motion of one or both hands, but may be modified to suit circumstances and locally accepted etiquette.

When to Wave

The following rules are an attempt to make it easier to facilitate the mandatory wave when coming in contact with another vehicle of the Jeep nature. Though there are several variations of the waving rules, the following were designed as an easy- to- remember guideline for when to wave and who should wave first.

Rule 1

If you are a driver or passenger in a Jeep vehicle, and you come in contact with another occupied Jeep vehicle you should wave. If the vehicle is not occupied, the wave is optional.

Rule 2

Be the first to wave. Don't wait, just wave.

Rule 3

Be forgiving. Sometimes the occupants of the Jeep receiving the wave are not paying attention, are distracted, or are paying attention to driving. We all know how you can get lost in the euphoria of driving a Jeep and forget about the outside world.

Rule 4

Wave vigorously. When cruising at 55mph toward a vehicle going 55mph it is sometimes difficult to see the "over the steering wheel" wave. Get that hand out and make it seen!

Rule 5

When you are the recipient of a wave, return the wave.

Rule 6

Sometimes Jeep owners forget they are not in their Jeep and wave by habit. When occupants of non-Jeep vehicles wave, returning the wave is optional, but usually a good idea.

Advanced Rules

Around the internet there are many pages dedicated to defining who you should wave to, and how you should wave. They are fun and entertaining. Some even have complex point scales obviously impossible to figure out within the time of a wave, but fun nonetheless. Personally, I only follow the hierarchy scale, because it bestows honor on those that are driving older or rarer Jeeps. I also initiate the wave to anyone with their top down, if I am too wimpy to have mine down, as well. In the table shown below, the Jeep hierarchy defines who must initiate the wave. You must initiate the wave for those Jeeps in a lower lettered category than yourself. Basically, if they're feeling more discomfort than you are, you should wave first to show your respect. But if in doubt, always refer to Rule #2 above.

Category	Model
Category A	Pre-CJ
Category B	Pre-AMC CJ
Category C	Other CJ
Category D	Commando
Category E	YJ
Category F	TJ
Category G	Cherokee, Wagoneer
Category H	All Other Jeeps
Category I	All other 4WD vehicles EXCEPT yuppie Explorers
Category J	All other vehicles

Sources

http://www.jeepinwave.com/waverules.shtml
http://www.jeeptalk.org/jeep_wave.shtml
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/archive/index.php?t-6352.html
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Jeep+Wave
http://www.jeepfan.com/tech/jeepwave.htm
http://www.knifeforums.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/373124/
http://jeepfan-dot-com.blogspot.com/2007_01_01_archive.html