Winter Tires needed?

[CDN Guy]

Hi All,
Considering my first Jeep....test drove the Sahara Unlimited and loved it.
Will not do any real off roading, but like the look and feel.
I live in Toronto, and have had snows on my vehicles before and notice a huge difference.

The Jeep dealer said snow tires are not really necessary on Jeeps because they are amazing 4x4s, and tires are all seasons.
My thoughts are 4x4s or AWDs are only good when you accelerate and any All Seasons will start to freeze up below 7 deg Cel, on any vehicle....especially below freezing temperaturs.

Thus, I think snow tires would still be necessary in any northern climate as a daily drive.

Thoughts?

Tks.

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[Maverickxeo]

I'm in Alberta and put on a LOT of KMs in the winter.

I have NOT had my JL in the winter yet, but the tires on it from factory are NOT the 'usual' type I'd run (Michelin LTX). I tend to run an A/T tire without many issues. I did try running dedicated winters on my old ZJ, and I noticed no difference between them and the Kuhmo Road Venture tires I had on it.

Also, for what it's worth, I put on a LOT of KMs in my TJ in the winter too - on 35" aggressive A/T tires and I don't have many issues there, either - even with a very short wheel base and a tall-ish lift.

So basically - I'd suggest a GOOD A/T tire with the 3 peak symbol at minimum. I personally won't run anything else.

 

[TheBirdie72]

New Englander here, so yeah, I am very familiar with snow driving. And yes, a good set of 3 peak rated snow tires makes a noticeable difference. I’m running a set of 33” Falken Wildpeak AT3W’s and wouldn’t trade them for anything. Had the stock Michelin’s prior and it is like night and day handling on wet, snowy roads. Get a set of Falkens and don’t look back. ?

 

[CDN Guy]

I'm in Alberta and put on a LOT of KMs in the winter.

I have NOT had my JL in the winter yet, but the tires on it from factory are NOT the 'usual' type I'd run (Michelin LTX). I tend to run an A/T tire without many issues. I did try running dedicated winters on my old ZJ, and I noticed no difference between them and the Kuhmo Road Venture tires I had on it.

Also, for what it's worth, I put on a LOT of KMs in my TJ in the winter too - on 35" aggressive A/T tires and I don't have many issues there, either - even with a very short wheel base and a tall-ish lift.

So basically - I'd suggest a GOOD A/T tire with the 3 peak symbol at minimum. I personally won't run anything else.

Thanks.

 

[CDN Guy]

New Englander here, so yeah, I am very familiar with snow driving. And yes, a good set of 3 peak rated snow tires makes a noticeable difference. I’m running a set of 33” Falken Wildpeak AT3W’s and wouldn’t trade them for anything. Had the stock Michelin’s prior and it is like night and day handling on wet, snowy roads. Get a set of Falkens and don’t look back. ?

Thanks.

 

[YYCSahara]

I ran KO2s and they did fine in winter.
However, the 3 peak thing is a bit of a marketing thing. For a tire to earn that rating all it needs to do is have 10% better traction in snow that non 3 peak tire. That really isn't that much of an improvement.
So you can have a huge range in how tires performs in winter and they can both have the 3 peak rating.
A true dedicated snow tire will always outperform an AT tire that has the snow peaks, no matter what. Up to you to decide what level you want to go to with the tires.

 

[Onyxia]

My JL Sahara diesel came with Goodyear Wranglers, and it has been daily driven here in Toronto never have issues. Except for one big snow storm last year, where the snow came up to my knees. I thought the jeep was invincible so I took it out for a joy ride and got stranded few blocks away from the house... Not the joy I was looking for but in complete fairness none of my neighbors car/SUV could even move out of the drive way so still a win for the jeep.

I guess a lesson for me is when the snow is too deep don't drive, save myself the embarrassment and possibly my life too

 

[YJGUY]

Hi All,
Considering my first Jeep....test drove the Sahara Unlimited and loved it.
Will not do any real off roading, but like the look and feel.
I live in Toronto, and have had snows on my vehicles before and notice a huge difference.

The Jeep dealer said snow tires are not really necessary on Jeeps because they are amazing 4x4s, and tires are all seasons.
My thoughts are 4x4s or AWDs are only good when you accelerate and any All Seasons will start to freeze up below 7 deg Cel, on any vehicle....especially below freezing temperaturs.

Thus, I think snow tires would still be necessary in any northern climate as a daily drive.

Thoughts?

Tks.

If you can afford snow tires and an extra set of rims I'd go for it. Toronto doesn't see the worst winters out there but it can get pretty gnarly a few times a winter. Check Kijiji for a set of used JL rims to save some money.

I just bought some Nokian studded tires (315/70/17) last week to replace my 37" MT's for winter duty. The ice on the roads in Calgary is brutal. I ran the same size BFG KO2's last winter and the difference is night and day with the Nokians. The Kaltire website will give you an idea of options and cost. I'd go for a 17" rim size to save some money.

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