BigMaCro
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #1
Hi, thought I'd share my experiences driving the 4xe in Alaska winter conditions.
I commute 50 miles to work from Wasilla to Anchorage. I start out charged in my heated garage, and arrive at work about 50 minutes later, where I park outside but can plug in and L2 charge at 16 amps again (about 4 hours).
1. Electric mode unavailable under 5 degrees F air temperature. This isn't dependent on the battery temperature, as it came straight out of the garage. If the outside air warms up a degree, EV mode will work.
2. Remote start will always start the engine, even while plugged in, under about 30 degrees F. That gas engine is the best heater, and it'll start up to warm the cabin the most quickly. I wish we could adjust a preference to use the just electric heater when plugged in instead, like it will if it's just a few degrees warmer.
3. No 4xe/hybrid related driving/handling problems. The Jeep's hybrid system isn't causing issues with traction or handling in icy conditions. I still drive around in max regen, and don't lose traction decelerating. I think the stability control/abs systems are doing a good job monitoring for lost traction and adjusting as needed. Obviously electric torque could easily spin tires on acceleration, but it's pretty hard to get it to do that with traction control on.
4. 4-Auto is great for winter driving! I don't feel it engage or disengage, it's always stable accelerating around corners, etc. I've just left it in auto for months now, without any need to lock it in 4Hi for traction or 2 for maneuverability.
5. BF Goodrich All Terrain KO2's are great winter tires! Ok, so not true winter compound siped tires, but with 15,000 miles on them, my KO2's still have plenty of sharp edges biting the ice & snow. If I won the lottery I might put dedicated snow tires on, but so far have felt no need to. And yes, our roads now have a permanent glaze of ice on them, and it often builds up to inches thick.
6. Jeep LED headlights rock! I really don't even need to put high-beams on, because the low beams are so good with lots of distance.
I commute 50 miles to work from Wasilla to Anchorage. I start out charged in my heated garage, and arrive at work about 50 minutes later, where I park outside but can plug in and L2 charge at 16 amps again (about 4 hours).
1. Electric mode unavailable under 5 degrees F air temperature. This isn't dependent on the battery temperature, as it came straight out of the garage. If the outside air warms up a degree, EV mode will work.
2. Remote start will always start the engine, even while plugged in, under about 30 degrees F. That gas engine is the best heater, and it'll start up to warm the cabin the most quickly. I wish we could adjust a preference to use the just electric heater when plugged in instead, like it will if it's just a few degrees warmer.
3. No 4xe/hybrid related driving/handling problems. The Jeep's hybrid system isn't causing issues with traction or handling in icy conditions. I still drive around in max regen, and don't lose traction decelerating. I think the stability control/abs systems are doing a good job monitoring for lost traction and adjusting as needed. Obviously electric torque could easily spin tires on acceleration, but it's pretty hard to get it to do that with traction control on.
4. 4-Auto is great for winter driving! I don't feel it engage or disengage, it's always stable accelerating around corners, etc. I've just left it in auto for months now, without any need to lock it in 4Hi for traction or 2 for maneuverability.
5. BF Goodrich All Terrain KO2's are great winter tires! Ok, so not true winter compound siped tires, but with 15,000 miles on them, my KO2's still have plenty of sharp edges biting the ice & snow. If I won the lottery I might put dedicated snow tires on, but so far have felt no need to. And yes, our roads now have a permanent glaze of ice on them, and it often builds up to inches thick.
6. Jeep LED headlights rock! I really don't even need to put high-beams on, because the low beams are so good with lots of distance.
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