Jeep Wranglers and Snow – Do they get along well? If you are an avid car enthusiast and an owner of Jeep Wrangler, you would probably know the robustness and durability of the wrangler car in off-road conditions.
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, in particular, proves to be a paragon with regard to off-road challenges. However, skepticism arises when any vehicle is bound to face the unique challenges presented by snow.
The winter and cold conditions are a very uncertain climate for a car to maneuver smoothly. This brings us to the question, “are Jeep Wranglers good in the snow?”
“The Wrangler is a distinctive vehicle. Love it or hate it, it’s not your typical truck or SUV. It has a fun, bouncy ride, with uncanny turn radius. It’s the go-anywhere car that gives an underlying sense of freedom. They haven’t changed that much over the years, mine is the 2018 JL model. The upgrades in the top removal (hard and soft) are awesome. On and off with ease. Though still bouncy, it’s a smoother ride.” – Jeronimo, Car enthusiast/reviewer, CA.
The safety and reliability of Jeep Wrangler in the snow
When it comes to Jeep Wranglers, its 4-wheel-drive ability works wonders. To be more precise, all the four wheels in Jeep produce an equal amount of power to push the Jeep forward, enabling drivers to overcome the uncanny surfaces of snow.
Be it the Jeep Wrangler 4xe or the new Jeep Wrangler 2021 model, people have craved to own the vehicle simply for its ‘low center of gravity’ factor that makes it stand apart from its competitors.
The low center of gravity means that the Jeep’s weight is pretty close to the ground surface, making it easier and stable to turn on rough terrains.
Factors that make Jeep Wranglers reliable during snow
There are five outstanding features that make Jeep Wranglers a fantastic fit for snowy conditions. The features include:
- The powertrain: The Jeep Wranglers are in-built with a 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine with an output of 285hp with a torque of 260lb-ft. Adding to that, Jeep Wranglers come in an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual feature. The Jeep Wranglers also consist of an alternative gasoline option with 2.04L I4 that allows an output of 270hp accompanied by a torque force of 295lb-ft. A diesel engine was launched with the Jeep Wrangler 2020 model consisting of a 3.0L EcoDiesel V6. However, the diesel engine boasts a torque force of up to 442lb-ft, outweighing most of the competitors in the market. These power systems, combined with the 4-wheel-drive feature of the vehicle, add to a steady and secure experience while driving on slippery winter snow. Also, the differentials boost the performance of the Jeep by powering up all four wheels at once to overcome the sloppiness of the snow.
- Exceptional ground clearance level: Having a strong position above the snow on the road and having a good command over the vehicle is everything a driver wants in a Jeep to maneuver around the snow. To complement this factor, the Jeep Wrangler comes with a whopping 9.7 inches of ground-clearance standard. Another essential factor to keep in mind while driving in snow is having maximum visibility and overcoming obstacles underneath the vehicle; Jeep Wrangler is best suited for both.
- Outstanding interior comfort: Not only does the vehicle need certain conditions while maneuvering through the snow, but drivers also need to be comfortable with the vehicle’s interior environment to stay warm and protected. Jeep Wrangler has the ability to warm up efficiently even at sub-zero temperatures. To make the driver feel most comfortable, the Jeep Wrangler comes with a heated seat along with an optional heated steering wheel. The new Jeep Wrangler comes with additional features, including a soft-touch dash and controls, comfortable seating, a warm ambiance, and outstanding heating control.
“The looks of the Jeep Wrangler may be ruff and rugged, but, contrary to the saying ‘Looks can be deceiving,’ the interior is totally what a family wants during a vacation. Calm, comfortable, and pleasant.”
- Tires built for off-road spirit: Having a Jeep Wrangler on your garage is you simply showing off to your neighbors how a vehicle is built to handle various types of tires. For example, the 2018 Jeep Wrangler Sahara is built with all-season tires that support and outweigh any average cars launched in recent years. A custom Jeep Wrangler with added strong-traction winter tires makes drivers from around the globe intrigued. The proper tire attachment with perfect traction complements the suspension and the powertrain of the Jeep Wrangler.
- Driver assistance: We have covered both the interior and the exterior features of the Jeep Wrangler according to driving in snow. Now, let us have a look at what technology has to offer for the car. The hill start assist and the tire pressure monitoring feature are the unique add-on to the collection. Both these features allow drivers to escape harsh conditions where the wheel of the Jeep might get stuck in the snow.
To achieve the perfect traction while driving in snow, make sure the tire pressure is lowered with the help of tire pressure monitoring.
Also, the most encountered problem while driving in snow is the wheel of the car getting stuck near a pile of dirty snow.
This is where the hill start assist feature comes into the picture. With the help of the feature, drivers can overcome most of the piled snow along the road, making it easier to drive.
- Locking differential feature: The difference between selectable locking differentials and automatic locking differentials is that automatic locking differentials prove to score poorly when it comes to navigating corners and turning the car in the snow. However, with Jeep Wrangler selectable locking differentials, drivers can easily navigate their way out of these harsh road conditions. But, one drawback is that not all the models of Jeep Wrangler come with selectable locking differentials. If your car has one, then make the best out of it.
- Side mirrors designed to overcome snowy conditions: Though side mirrors do not have significant added value to cars when it comes to Jeep Wrangler, the side mirrors provide an upper hand to the drivers by enabling them to navigate roads full of snow. There are a lot of challenges when driving on a snowy road. The large side-view and rear mirrors provide additional support to the drivers to overcome such sloppy terrains.
- Blind-spot monitoring: This technologically advanced feature comes in handy when visibility is greatly affected by fog during winters. The feature alerts drivers by providing signals of any obstacles along the road.
“I purchased a 2017 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited in 2017 & haven’t regretted it. It rides much smoother than the 2-door & is pretty comfy & spacious inside. The gas mileage isn’t too bad; it averages 19 mpg in summer on secondary roads (17.5 mpg in winter) & 23 mpg on highways in summer (18 mpg in winter). The Wrangler is a very stable vehicle with quick response to driver changes. The 4WD is a good feature for driving in snowy weather & unpaved roads (if you go there).” – Review from Consumer Affairs.
With all the features listed above, Jeep Wrangler is the go-to vehicle to hit snowy roads. Now, let us look at some tips to enhance the performance of Jeep Wranglers more.
Tips to improve the performance of Jeep Wranglers during winter
Although Jeep Wranglers perform amazingly on their own, these are just some add-on tips to consider that can significantly improve the performance of your car.
- Goodyear MTR-60 tires are the fan-favorite when it comes to off-road driving. These tires provide a fantastic boost to the Jeep’s performance as they can easily overcome strong winter and snow conditions providing an outstanding balance to the car as a whole.
- The Wranglers were not primarily designed for snowy conditions, instead, designed for spacious, 4-wheel-drive with manual transmissions, making the initial off-road Jeep a roaring success. However, with newer models, gearing it with automatic transmissions can significantly positively impact driving along with the snow-dense areas.
- The more crucial factor is the sort of snow you’ll encounter. Keep an eye out for the sort of snow or ice that emerges on your way. The issue is that it’s incredibly slippery, and when a tire spins on its own, it may be even more challenging to manage the vehicle. This is why we urge a four-wheel-drive car in severe situations; nevertheless, if you’re caught in a blizzard, most drivers say that their Jeep Wrangler performs admirably on all conditions.
- Another suggestion is to invest in a solid pair of front and rear snow chains. This allows you to drive on roadways that have been plowed and still have a thin layer of snow on the side.
How safe are Jeep Wranglers during winters?
The second most frequently asked question after “are Jeep Wranglers good in snow?” is “how safe are Jeep Wranglers during winters?” Winters are considered to be a difficult season to drive on.
Due to slippery roads and other natural hazards, authorities have constantly shown their concern by providing a lot of rules to follow while driving in snow.
Despite constant advice, people still drive recklessly and find themselves paying for accidents and other tickets.
However, if you are a person who follows the rules and safety protocols put forth by the authorities, and most importantly, if you drive a Jeep Wrangler, It is infrequent that you face any safety breaches.
All the pieces of equipment attached to The Jeep Wrangler are designed primarily to withstand harsh snowy conditions.
Durable tires, straps, comfortable navigation, and warm interiors are some of the features that add to the safety mechanism of the car.
Another feature is having an ample wheelbase and low center gravity provides the upper hand support that the Jeep Wrangler needs to have a steady balance while maneuvering through the snow-dense areas.
The off-road suspension of the vehicle is also another added boost to the Jeep’s safety.
The stiff suspension allows for a more significant impact energy absorption, at the same time offering precise handling with high stability standards.
Maintaining a parked Jeep Wrangler during winter
Despite driving the Jeep Wrangler, it is also mandatory to maintain it when parked outside during winters.
If you do not have a closed/attached garage with your house, this part is crucial. Various types of tops accompany the Jeep Wrangler.
Two of the significant ones are the soft tops and the hard tops. Soft tops are ideal for summers as it provides good airflow to maintain a comfortable interior.
On the other hand, Hardtops are best suited for winters as it prevents air from entering inside the car and help in keeping the car warm.
Not just while parked but while driving, it is essential to add a hardtop to the Jeep Wrangler to maintain the warmth inside and prevent leakage of ice-cold air.
But, the majority always prefer soft tops as they are easy to fit and do not need professional help.
Nevertheless, It is highly recommended to call a professional and have them fit a hardtop to withstand the winter breeze.
Another factor to keep in mind is the pricing of the tops. The pricing of the tops varies according to the type of the top.
It is recommended to buy a hardtop prior to the winters as the cost would not be as peaked as during winters.
Conclusion
Without a doubt, Jeep Wranglers are the most versatile and durable vehicles that are a must-have if you are a car enthusiast.
The ability to handle extreme terrains and conditions makes the car unique and special from other cars.
With the mind-blowing features that Jeep Wrangler provides, even if you are new to handling or driving a Jeep Wrangler, you are sure to be satisfied.
As far as the whole crux of the article, “Are Jeep Wranglers good in the snow?” goes, the answer is very straightforward.
Jeep Wranglers are the best in the market that supports a fantastic driving experience during snowy conditions.