With the winter months getting closer, we can expect a huge amount of snow to cover our houses, streets, and even our cars.
If you get hammered by snow every year in your area, surely you’re thinking of getting a vehicle that will get you through deep snow or even icy roads. One SUV that gets a lot of buzz is the Jeep Wrangler.
So, of course, it is a good thing to ask, “are Jeep Wranglers good in snow?”
Will they be able to handle the strain of winter and driving in deep snow?
Continue reading as we explain why Wranglers are great for winters.
Are Jeep Wranglers Good in Snow?
The short answer is—yes! Jeep Wranglers are good to drive in snow, but how good, exactly?
With amazing driving capabilities that make it stable in winter driving, to an amazing heating system, this Jeep is an amazing vehicle for wintertime.
No other off-road vehicle has the capabilities to handle the torment of winter other than the Jeep Wrangler. This 4×4 SUV is marketed as a capable all-terrain beast of a machine for the road. This is not some marketing gimmick as the Wrangler is powerful on different terrains.
Off-roading is inherent in the design of the Jeep Wrangler. And this, of course, includes snow capabilities.
Snow Driving Capabilities of Jeep Wrangler
Jeep Wranglers come with an installed circulating ball steering made for off-road driving. This increases the amount of traction when driving on different terrains, including snow.
Four-wheel driving is available to all Jeep Wranglers. This gives the driver extra power and grip when tackling the most dangerous of conditions. Whether driving to and from your winter getaway or off-roading by a mountain, the reliable 4-wheel-drive of the Jeep Wrangler will get you out of any situation.
The minimum ground clearance of any Jeep is 8.3 inches. This is way more than the average off-road vehicle—and that’s just the minimum! Other Jeep Wranglers have higher ground clearances, but the base 8.3 inches is way more than enough for driving through deep snow.
Jeep Wranglers like the Rubicon come with selectable locking differentials. This helps you choose the specific differential for your condition. Locking differentials do not give you extra speed, but extra speed isn’t useful in snowy conditions. What you lose in speed, you gain in traction.
Traction
Traction is important in getting that all-important grip on snowy landscapes.
Tire manufacturers are keen to flood the market with a wide range of wheel choices for the Jeep Wrangler. As one of the most recognizable cars on the road, it would be easy to find the best wheels for your Wrangler. If you choose to install special winter tires for your needs, you won’t have to look hard for tires for your Jeep Wrangler.
Blind Spot Monitoring
When driving in snowy conditions, it is sometimes hard to see what’s in front of you. That’s why the Jeep Wrangler comes equipped with a blind spot monitoring system. The system alerts you if any vehicles or objects approach your blind spots. This makes it perfect when driving through snow-covered roads or when the snow is blowing hard.
Heating
With models that come in a soft top, you may think the Jeep Wrangler is poor at heating. This isn’t the case. Jeep Wranglers are great at heating up. This makes them comfortable and stable for both drivers and passengers when driving in the snow.
Jeep Wranglers from 1987 onwards have heating systems within their cabins.
The 2020 version of the Jeep Wrangler comes standard with heated seats and steering wheels. This provides exceptional comfort for the driver, making it easy to endure long drives through the winter.
Can Jeep Wranglers Stay Warm in Winter?
With its heating system, Jeep Wranglers can definitely stay warm in winter.
The heating system comes from their heater core. The heat is pulled out of the heat from the cooling system within the engine. The heated air from the heater core is then pulled through the fans and into the cabin of the Jeep.
The blower system provides motion to the air inside the ventilation system. When increased airflow enters the system, this increases the rotations per minute of the blower motor.
How Do a Soft Top and a Hard Top Compare?
Since hard tops come with a contained cabin, they are going to be more airtight. This makes them easier to heat up in the winter.
But, many Jeep Wrangler soft top owners swear by the Jeep’s ability to stay warm, even with soft tops. This is a result of the amazing heating system of the Jeep Wrangler.
Although the hard top is more contained, the only difference between the two in winter is the ability to keep out the cold. The hard top, being airtight, is more capable of keeping the cold out.
But the two share the amazing and highly capable heating system in the Jeep. This makes the vehicle stay warm in the winter.
Will Snow Damage My Soft Top?
The metal frames of soft-top Jeep Wranglers can hold a significant amount of snow. This makes them capable daily drivers if you live in a snowy area.
Although, one should always proceed with caution when driving with large amounts of snow. There is a limit to everything, including the metal roofing of a soft-top Jeep Wrangler. Make sure to remove large amounts of snow from your Jeep Wrangler to save it from potential damage.
How Do You Winterize a Jeep Wrangler?
The Jeep Wrangler is an all-terrain four-wheel-drive vehicle, which makes it ideal for driving in harsh conditions, including snow.
However, it is important to winterize your Jeep Wrangler to keep it—and yourself—safe from the cold.
Check for Rips and Holes
For soft top owners, make sure to thoroughly check your roofing. Any small tears, rips, holes, or leaks will let in cold air into the cabin. Make sure that the soft top fits tightly on the car.
For hard top owners, make sure to check the seals around the windows of your Jeep Wrangler. If any of these are degraded or cracked, do replace them to keep out the cold from your cabin.
When going out, make sure the heater can handle the maximum setting. A rule of thumb is to turn on the heater a few minutes before your drive. This doubles as a check for the ventilation system. If neither are working, get your vehicle checked before winter arrives.
This is important for both soft top and hard top owners.
Check Tires
It is important to also prepare your tires for the winter. Even if your area does not get a lot of snow, if the temperature around you drops into the 40s, then the extra grip from winter tires will make a difference.
Four-wheel drive does not help when braking, so it is useful to get the extra grip from proper winter tires.
Update Wipers
Make sure to fill up your wiper fluid. When going out in the snow, large amounts of snow may accumulate on the windshield and wipers. Maintain visibility by making sure that your wipers have enough juice to wipe off the extra snow.
Along with that, make sure to change your wipers to winter wipers. These wipers have a rubber build that prevents the snow from freezing on the wipers. With the added weight, these wipers are heavier on the wiper motor compared to normal wipers. Make sure to change the wipers when spring arrives.
Pack a Recovery Kit
Getting stuck in the middle of nowhere is a big problem. What more when you’re stuck in the middle of winter. It’s important to pack a recovery kit inside your Jeep Wrangler for any scenario.
The kit should contain essentials like spare antifreeze oil, a flashlight, emergency radio, snow chains for your tires, a shovel, and a first aid kit, among other things.
Do I Need to Chain the Tires of My Jeep Wrangler?
Jeep Wranglers are already great in the snow. With their high grip tires and ability to select a specific differential, they make the perfect off-road vehicle.
But, there are always exceptions to any rule. If the ground and road seem a bit too dangerous for normal winter tires, then there is no harm in installing winter chains to the wheels of your Jeep Wrangler.
It is better to stay safe and avoid running the risk.
Be sure to properly install the chains on your Jeep Wrangler. Make sure that the chains go on the drive wheels of your Jeep—the two back wheels. This ensures the maximum grip needed for icy terrains.
Are Jeep Wranglers Safe in Snow?
When considering whether Jeep Wranglers are safe, it is important to remember they are designed as a robust vehicle for all different kinds of terrain. This includes icy and snowy terrain.
However, a driver must exercise caution when driving on icy roads—even if you’re in a Jeep Wrangler.
Like any other all-terrain vehicle on icy roads, a Jeep Wrangler will have problems stopping on an icy slope.
Thus, be sure to drive slowly and smoothly on icy roads. This lessens the risk of slippage and getting yourself—and your Jeep—in an accident.
Now you know how good Jeep Wranglers are on snow. Here’s another cool thing about them: they’re also among the best SUVs for sleeping and camping. Wranglers also make the list of the most fuel-efficient Jeeps.