I didn't see this thread earlier, but...

I've driven my JK in snow of all depths, from a few inches to more than two feet. 3 inches of snow is perfectly suited for the traction control. From a standing start, floor the gas pedal. The computer adjusts both power and traction. Without so much as a wiggle, my JK accelerates away smartly. I watched a guy in a Tahoe trying to keep up. He went sideways more than forward. I was 30 meters distant before he even crossed the intersection.

Likewise, I had no drama driving through 25" of snow, with traction control and ESP on.

Here's what the manual says:

Partial Off
This mode is entered by momentarily depressing the
ESP Control Switch. When in Partial Off mode, the
TCS portion of ESP has been disabled and the ESP/TCS
Indicator Light will be illuminated. All other stability
features of ESP function normally. This mode is intended
to be used if the vehicle is in deep snow, sand, or gravel
conditions and more wheel spin than ESP would normally
allow is required to gain traction. To turn ESP on
again, momentarily depress the ESP Control Switch.
This will restore the normal “ESP On” mode of operation.
NOTE: To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving
with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand, or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the “Partial Off”
mode by pressing the ESP switch. Once the situation
requiring ESP to be switched to the “Partial Off” mode is
overcome, turn ESP back on by momentarily depressing
the “ESP Control Switch”. This may be done while the
vehicle is in motion.

Nowhere does it say that leaving TC/ESP on in snow is dangerous. Why, because for most drivers, turning it off is dangerous.


My regards,

Widewing

 

ESP does nothing for traction. I counters sliding or understeering. Traction control is what you may be referring to.

A bit of advice. If you are driving on snow covered roads, engage 4 high. There's no good reason to be driving on snowy roads in 2 high. It's like carrying an umbrella, but not using it when it rains.


My regards,

Widewing

 

not to thread jack but im now more confused then before i read the last 5 pages. This is my understanding 4 get off road purposes for the moment but for regular daily driving, i would normaly use 2wd this past weekend had a lot of snow i started the truck and tried to pull out i felt it slip and the ESP light flashing, so i put it in 4wd hi pull out the space and drove 2 blocks of snow n ice when i got to the clear roads i put it bak in 2wd. is that normal?

 

Wow. This thread has successfully made a mountain out of a molehill with regards to the original "out-to-lunch" comment about turning off your ESP.

If you don't have experience driving a 4WD vehicle in the snow, then I'd suggest the following:

#1. Leave the ESP on. It'll help you more than it hinders you.

#2. If the road has a fair amount of snow and/or ice on it, you may want to put the vehicle in 4Hi.

#3. Drive according to the conditions...remember that 4WD doesn't help you slow down

 

ok so then i dont think i did anything wrong. lol i had 1 other 4x4 and it broke so idk much about them except fixing them.

 

Read the book then read it again, then go find some friends or neighbours or other buddy with 4x4 and go have some fun, nothing like playing to see how the truck really works and what you're capable of

 

I beg to differ... When we got dumped on in December with about two or two and a half feet in one or two days, all I did was put her in 4HI, floor it and dump the clutch... This is obviously not how you SHOULD drive in snow but I know for a fact it worked great. Every time the Jeep started slipping to one side or the other, the ESP kicked in and kept me going straight.