Are Jeep Wranglers Good In The Snow?

If you are looking for a Jeep Wrangler, you probably are excited to take it off-roading to many different locations. After all, America is one of the most diverse continents in the world, with plenty of things to do and terrain to explore. But, what do you do for almost half of the year when snow and ice are in the forecast, can you still go explore the way that you would like?

So, while we know that a Jeep Wrangler is known for its rugged durability, does that make a Jeep Wrangler good in snow and ice?

Are Jeep Wranglers Good In The Snow?

Yes, a Jeep Wrangler performs very well in snow and ice, particularly when it is switched into four-wheel drive. The same mechanisms that make it a great choice for off-roading allow it to be very stable in wintery conditions.

There are, of course, some details when it comes to winter driving performances and the nuances that come with that.

If you want to know the specifics about how a Jeep Wrangler handles itself in the winter, keep on reading. We have all the details you need to make the best vehicle purchase decision for wintery climates.

The Benefits of Off-Road Design

A Jeep Wrangler has been designed specifically for off-road use. Part of that design includes an interior that isn’t quite as luxurious as some of the other Jeep models on the market.

So, it would be a legitimate concern that a Jeep Wrangler wouldn’t stay warm enough in the winter to be comfortable.

However, Jeep Wranglers have actually always had excellent heating systems. In fact, you will stay nice and toasty as you drive through the snow.

This has always been part of the Jeep Wrangler’s design as it has always been geared towards handling many different outdoor climates, including the cold.

The circulating ball steering in a Jeep Wrangler is made for off-roading. You may think this would make it difficult to operate in the snow, as it isn’t quite as precise as what many are used to, but because of the increased traction, this doesn’t register as an issue on icy test runs.

In fact, when driving even in two-wheel drive mode in wintery conditions, you will find that there isn’t even a lot of fishtailing that happens. That can’t be said for extreme conditions in most vehicles in two-wheel drive.

Off-Road Features That Excel In The Winter

●     Four-Wheel Drive

As we’ve already discussed, a four-wheel drive can be absolutely necessary for the harshest winter conditions, and it’s included in Jeep Wranglers as they are built for off-road performance.

●     Great Ground Clearance

The lowest ground clearance on any trim of Jeep Wrangler is 8.3 inches, which is much more than the average vehicle.

Many trims of Jeep Wrangler have even more ground clearance than that! This allows a Jeep Wrangler to push through deep snow with ease, so you can take it off-roading even in snowy conditions.

●     Selectable Locking Differentials

While not all Jeep Wrangler trims come with selectable locking differentials, those that do, mainly the Rubicon, have an extra advantage in snowy conditions that most vehicles simply don’t have.

While an Automatic Differential may get you into trouble when making turns in the snow and ice, a selectable differential can get you out of some sticky situations if you find yourself in them.

When you are pushing through really deep snow, a locking differential is going to help you plow through it like nobody’s business.

While these aren’t meant for fast speeds or making sharp turns, you will get so much more traction by turning on your locking differential when driving through the snow.

●     Great Heating System

While you make think that a Jeep Wrangler would not be very good at heating up, it actually heats up very quickly. They are actually quite famous for how quickly they warm up, which is an awesome perk.

We’ve all been in an otherwise luxurious car that seems like it doesn’t start feeling warm until you’re already at your destination.

You can drive through snowy tundra and also use a Jeep Wrangler as your main mode of transport during the winter months simply based on the heating system alone, not to mention the added safety of having great traction.

In fact, if you are springing for a new 2020 model, you can even get heating seats and a heated steering wheel. While heating has never been a problem for Jeep Wranglers, it is safe to say that they are better than ever at keeping you nice and toasty in the winter.

You will have plenty of options to choose tires for your Jeep Wrangler that fit your unique driving style and expected terrain and conditions with ease.

While we won’t go over the many different tire options in this article, be sure to do your research to choose the best set for your winter driving habits.

●     Large Side Mirrors

While this may seem like a no-brainer, it is worth including. Jeep Wranglers have extra-large Side Mirrors and rearview mirrors that make seeing in snowy conditions a breeze.

It will be much easier to navigate other vehicles in snowy conditions when you have extra-large mirrors.

●     Blind Spot Monitoring

While only the newer Jeep Wranglers in the more upgraded trim models have this feature, it is worth mentioning as something to have.

Blind-spot monitoring is going to make driving on snowy icy roads much easier when visibility is down as you will be alerted if there is another vehicle where you aren’t able to see it.

This technology is becoming more of a necessity, so it is a good idea to go ahead and spring for it in order to increase the resale value of your vehicle.

Considerations When Choosing a Jeep Wrangler For Winter Driving

While we have gone over why a Jeep Wrangler is a great choice for winter weather, it is important to state that there can be some annoyances when it comes to performance or usability.

●     Make Sure You Know Where The Four-Wheel Drive Lever Is

For instance, the lever that switches into four-wheel drive mode isn’t the easiest to spot. Most people that have complaints with its performance in the winter actually never switch into the four-wheel-drive because they don’t even see the lever to turn it on.

Make sure you familiarize yourself with where that lever is, and all the features on your Jeep such as switching into locked differentials in a Rubicon before you set off into wintery conditions.

●     Buy the Appropriate Tires

Additionally, you need to make sure you have the appropriate tires for that type of weather and that you do not have tires that are too worn.

No amount of vehicle perks and feats of engineering are going to be able to combat the issue of tires with too-little traction. It’s important to ensure that you’re equipping your vehicle properly.

●     Consider Upgrading to a Rubicon

If you are not yet a Jeep Wrangler owner and are looking to buy one and plan to use it snowy terrain frequently, you should seriously consider upgrading to the Rubicon trim model.

With features such as selectable locking differentials, it is going to be the top performer in the snow.

Still Not Convinced?

If you still aren’t convinced that Jeep Wranglers are one of the best vehicles out there for winter driving, there are many videos where you can see them before in snowy conditions that may change your mind.

You can also head to your Jeep Dealership in the winter and see if they will let you take one for a spin in the snow. There are some other rental places that have Jeep Wranglers equipped for these kinds of activities, as well. If you don’t believe it, drive on for yourself!

It is also important to note that U.S. News and World Report named the 2019 Jeep Wrangler as one of its top 10 vehicles for winter driving. The experts there clearly know what the best choices on the market are, and this is one of their top 10 for winter driving.

Final Word on Jeep Wranglers In The Snow

Well, its easy to see how the off-roading design of a Jeep Wrangler makes it the perfect vehicle to use in the snow. You won’t have to worry about traction or fishtailing in icy conditions. You certainly won’t have to worry about staying nice and warm.

And, newer Jeep Wranglers with upgraded trims come with many extra safety and performance features such as selectable locking differentials and blind-spot monitoring for that extra dose of safety.

If you are the adventurous type and are looking for the perfect vehicle to explore the great outdoors not only in the winter, but all year round, you can’t go wrong with a Jeep Wrangler.

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