Winter Question
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, CA
As previously stated the JK is significantly better in the snow than previous Jeeps. A rear locked CJ-5 on ice with unsiped mud tires will wake you up but a JK is like sleeping in you mothers arms.
JK Freak
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 889
Likes: 2
From: Fargo, ND
I prefer to drive my JK than have it drive me. 4HI with the ESP off is the only way to go if conditions warrant it. Other than that, most of where you probably need to go can be accomplished in 2WD. Enjoy the powder!
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Montreal
In the recent storm I found it easier to get around with ESP off in the deeper snow.
We have a few hills that got slippery and the ESP just crippled the jeep to a crawl, with ESP off I was able to make it up the hill easier.
Good times in 4hi
We have a few hills that got slippery and the ESP just crippled the jeep to a crawl, with ESP off I was able to make it up the hill easier.
Good times in 4hi
JK Freak
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 802
Likes: 3
From: Surrey, UK
I spent a couple of winters in Sweden and Norway with a CJ5 on wide 33" muds with zero siping and not a massive amount of tread. Was good fun and sure as heck kept me awake.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,591
Likes: 1
From: East Coast
The short wheelbase can get a little tail happy if you push too hard on the skinny peddle particularly when you going around corners, but if you leave the traction control system on it does a pretty good job of keeping you moving and headed straight.
I've owned a short wheelbase Jeep (2 YJ's, a TJ and now the JK) for over 15 years so I'm comfortable with how it handles.
In light snow, I actually prefer to turn off the traction control when I'm in 2Hi so I can get a little more wheel spin than the system allows. When the snow gets really heavy or if I'm driving on streets that haven't been plowed yet I just drop it into 4 Hi and go. If the roads look like there may be ice under the snow I'll leave the traction control on and let it do it's thing if it needs to.
It's really a matter of learning your Jeeps limits as well as your own, preferable in a big, empty, snow covered parking lot, so don't be afraid to get out there late at night after a snowfall and experiment with some of the different settings (2 Hi/4 Hi, TSC on/TSC off etc.) so you know what to expect.
I've owned a short wheelbase Jeep (2 YJ's, a TJ and now the JK) for over 15 years so I'm comfortable with how it handles.
In light snow, I actually prefer to turn off the traction control when I'm in 2Hi so I can get a little more wheel spin than the system allows. When the snow gets really heavy or if I'm driving on streets that haven't been plowed yet I just drop it into 4 Hi and go. If the roads look like there may be ice under the snow I'll leave the traction control on and let it do it's thing if it needs to.
It's really a matter of learning your Jeeps limits as well as your own, preferable in a big, empty, snow covered parking lot, so don't be afraid to get out there late at night after a snowfall and experiment with some of the different settings (2 Hi/4 Hi, TSC on/TSC off etc.) so you know what to expect.
