Strategy for snow?

[txj2go]

We don't get much snow in my area but I have to go to Denver in the next couple of weeks and they have forecast for up to 3" of snow. On normal paved roads at 30mph, 40mph, whatever the other traffic is doing- is there any advantage to using 4High? I have a Sport so I have to tell it what to do.

Also I'm on Rubicon KO2 tires- does this satisfy the Colorado requirement for traction devices? I may have to drive through the front range on I-70.

I've driven on snow enough over the years to know how to do it, I just don't have to do it very frequently.

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[jhackathorne]

3" of snow is not very much at all. Depending on whether most snow is usually melted within a couple of hours to a day or so if it is sunny/above freezing. If there is snow on the roads you can use 4H without issue. And if you are driving on roads in the front range, most have no traction laws. I70 is mainly where you should be concerned about meeting traction law requirements. This is largely due to increased chance of more snow/ice from increased elevation and more drivers on the roads. Your KO2's are M+S rated and you have 4WD, so you are good on traction laws.

 

[Dan M.]

Sounds like you might not be used to driving in snow. Just realize 4Hi won't help you with braking or cornering. Jhackathorne said, if there is snow on the road you are ok in 4HI. Just go slow and keep extra distance from the car in front of you and you will be fine.

 

[Deleted member 59498]

Just slow down. Biggest thing.

 

[Jeep Dude]

If snow is indeed on the forecast on the day of departure, lower your tire pressures if they are too high, as in, "I want better fuel economy too high" ?.

Make sure your windshield fluid is topped off, bring a snow brush along with windshield scraper, and if you really want to go all out, do the windshield defrost air outlets mod thingy, so that your windshield sides don't freeze up, due to really crappy airflow design.

...and please, do not tailgate anybody! I hate tailgaters! ?

 

[J0E]

The best strategy for snow is good studded snow tires, fully aired up, not factory tires. 4 Hi is fine if you don't go fast, but it's a guaranteed spin out going fast in a corner. You've got a lock in the xfer case so you're guaranteed you'll loose static friction.

 

[BRuby]

If you have driven on snow enough over the years you should be good. 3” is not much. Most times we are in 2Hi as snow traction is not a problem. We hardly slip going uphill with KO2s. We drive on snow and ice a lot. The only time we need 4Hi is when stopped on a steeper incline with ice under. 4Hi provides incredible traction when engaged.

Take it easy. Do not let your tires spin. Make sure you are going slow enough to stop in an emergency maneuver. Enjoy your journey. The JL is a snow beast machine. Oh the tires are 3PMSF rated. The compound stays flexible in lower temps.

https://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/auto/tires/all-terrain-t-a-ko2

 

[Wabujitsu]

I’m a firm believer of using only 4H on snowy and icy roads only when absolutely necessary, for reasons previously stated. I learned to drive and got my license in Ohio in the dead of winter, in a 2WD sports car, with snow on top of black ice. You have to be able to not only see the conditions, but also FEEL how your vehicle is responding. Going slow and gentle is the number one rule. And, if 4H is necessary, you STILL have to go slow and gentle.

Another helpful thing is to put additional weight in your vehicle over the rear axle, especially if the rear kicks out repeatedly, as it will on ice. Cat litter, water softener salt, blocks, all work well as long as the load doesn’t shift.

 

[jbcrane]

Going up over the tunnels of I-70 in the snow isn’t something I’d wish on anyone. If people minds their manners it’s not so bad. It’s the traffic slow down that is intolerable. It can literally take hours to travel just a few miles, with miles and miles of traffic backed up, especially heading out of the city Fri/Sat, and heading back Sun. Plan your travel accordingly and as others have said, go slow and allow plenty of room between yourself and others.

 

[SnowyJeep]

Go slow and use 4-Hi when the road is covered with snow or ice. If you're starting to get into a situation, remember you want the wheels rolling to regain control (ie don't panic brake).

One thing to remember: it doesn't matter how winter-ready your rig is or how much skill you possess, if you can't see anything due to blowing snow/white out conditions, you're not going anywhere. Check the weather often, get visibility reports, and reroute or stay put when necessary.

 

[Shibadog]

As others have said, use 4hi. Drive it like you would if you only had 2wd and you’ll be fine. Remember that 4wd gives you more “go”, but NO more “whoa”. I’ve seen countless 4wd’s over the years go flying by on slick roads only to see them sitting in a ditch a few miles down the road where they went to slow down and couldn’t. Be sure you’ve got a basic survival kit tucked away in the Jeep “in case” ( and that you have warm coat, hat gloves and boots on board). Traveling through snow, esp just a little like you are talking about, is no challenge in a Jeep if you use your head. Just remember the weather forecast MAY be seriously off track and 3 inches may be zero OR 18?

 

[Old Jeeper]

We don't get much snow in my area but I have to go to Denver in the next couple of weeks and they have forecast for up to 3" of snow. On normal paved roads at 30mph, 40mph, whatever the other traffic is doing- is there any advantage to using 4High? I have a Sport so I have to tell it what to do.

Also I'm on Rubicon KO2 tires- does this satisfy the Colorado requirement for traction devices? I may have to drive through the front range on I-70.

I've driven on snow enough over the years to know how to do it, I just don't have to do it very frequently.

Got to remember not all snow is equal. Packed snow, dry snow and wet snow and the one that is really scary is snow over ice. I have driven I 70. Drove from Seattle to Norfolks Va and it was snow all the way until I got close to Norfolk Va. It was the Blizzard of 84-85, I 70 and I 40 were a mess. With luck I had put on some off road and snow rated tires while I was living in Seattle.

Take away: No matter what you run into make sure have good OR/Snow rated tires. WATCH out for Snow over Ice, I saw a lot of that in Seattle. Along I 70 it went from slush to hard pack. Hard pack can be slick especially when the sun comes out in the afternoons and the top surface will slightly melt.

Good tires for the mission

Drive looking forward. If a car spins out you can avoid if you see, drive far ahead

Be ever cautious. If it rained late yesterday and iced over then it snowed on top its going SLICK!

Brakes are NOT your friend, wheels lock up due to no traction and unless your front wheels are straight ahead you go into a spin. Try to drive into the spin to get control.

TIP: Many people will slow down as they approach a hill. Speed up as you make the approach and when you get to the bottom begin the let off on the accelerator and let the momentum carry you up.

Always try to avoid breaking you tires lose, from to much steering input and to hard braking...stay in control and not in control if the tires are not getting traction.

You are lucky, you own a Jeep 4x4...

 

[BUSHRVN]

What others have said AND, if on long hiway stretches, keep fuel tank reasonably full, like above half just in case you get stuck in one of those long hour/day(s) parking lot due to weather, road closure or an accident etc. Some basic food and beverages with you too.

 

[Sparty]

I'm going to offer an unpopular opinion....

If you're asking/worried about 3" of snow, stay off the road. I'm all for people learning to drive in it, but if you're going in with little experience, and worried about 3", you're going to be in a world of hurt if conditions change, or if you end up in 12"+ (it's been known to happen). You're the type of person that usually ends up on the news

 

[sam0329]

I live with Canadian winter and have experienced with FWD (VW Golf GTi), AWD (Subaru STi, Evo X), RWD (BMW 135i, M3), 4x4 (Toyota Tundra). I have studded Nokians on all my vehicles and now my Jeep. I can tell you the Jeep is the worst to handle in winter compare to the rest probably due to the weight distribution and big tires (35in Nokian) lol. It is not the snow that causing trouble most of the time. It is the ice underneath that makes you sliding around. The traction control works pretty good in 2WD and very good in 4WD. That being said, I will not trade my Jeep for anything else as it is the best vehicle I ever owned to explored the Canadian Rockys and drive over potholes …. which we have a lot lol.

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