Winter tires on your 4x4 Jeep?

103701 Views 140 Replies 58 Participants Last post by Mudman1, Dec 12, 2014

chalo

Discussion Starter · Nov 23, 2013

Hello,

I have lived in Michigan for only a couple years and I really don't think I have seen a real Michigan winter yet, last couple have had very little snow.

Also, I just bought a 2014 Cherokee 4x4 3.2L. My question to all experienced Jeep 4x4 owners who happen to live where there's snow during winter...

Do you guys use winter tires along with your 4x4 Jeeps or do you survive just well with all-season tires and snow mode in your Jeep?

I have seen a few videos of winter tire comparison in FWD cars with and without winter tires or videos of FWD with winter tires vs 4x4... but haven't seen any comparison of 4x4 with or without winter tires... so what's your opinion on this?

I do plan to get winter tires, but still wanted to hear from experienced people here.

1 - 20 of 141 Posts

Gurgle

· #2 · Nov 23, 2013

I believe all the facts presented about snow tires. I haven't had any for 20 years and have done just fine with a light duty truck tire on all year. Cooper Discovery ATR on both the rear wheel drive non 4x4 pickup and the two jeeps GGCs. All I have is QuadraTrac 11 which is a rear wheel drive until the on-demand is activated by slippage and it works very well. The 11 part is a 4 low that I don't drive highway with. I am surrounded by ski resorts.

But I'm intrigued by some new tires that have the snowflake and people say they are running all year. There was already a tire discussion, hope some of those folks come back and post here too. Extra rims are not cheap.

I think if you google you'll find video of 4x4 with and without snows. I saw one where the FWD something or other left a Subaru without snows in the dust, er, snow. Stopping was the critical factor.

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Saskateam

· #3 · Nov 23, 2013

I am getting winter tires for my TrailHawk. The 4X4 will get you going and keep you straight at slow speeds. If you want to turn or stop better then winter tires will help with this.

Erie-Eyes

· #4 · Nov 23, 2013 (Edited)

I never had snow tires on my Liberty, but I did switch out original Goodyears for Michelin suv tires which have a more aggressive tread. Not sure what I'll do with ordered TH. Snow tires do provide better stopping power.

My wife did not like aluminium wheels that came with our 2012 T&C so I put Michelin snow tires on them and bought her new Custom Chrome Wheels for summer use - keeps her smiling as she didn't like usual steel rims used for winter tires - LOL.

I do not recommend using snow tires during the summer - rubber is much softer, and they will wear out faster in higher temperatures.

chalo

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 24, 2013

Thanks for the feedback... and yeah, what Saskateam mentions is pretty much what I've heard and the main reason I'm considering getting winter tires: to be able to stop in a quick and controlled way.

Gurgle

· #6 · Nov 24, 2013

Erie-Eyes said:
I never had snow tires on my Liberty, but I did switch out original Goodyears for Michelin suv tires which have a more aggressive tread. Not sure what I'll do with ordered TH. Snow tires do provide better stopping power.

My wife did not like aluminium wheels that came with our 2012 T&C so I put Michelin snow tires on them and bought her new Custom Chrome Wheels for summer use - keeps her smiling as she didn't like usual steel rims used for winter tires - LOL.

I do not recommend using snow tires during the summer - rubber is much softer, and they will wear out faster in higher temperatures.[/QUOTE]

Yes, and I'm reading a regular snowflake tire will take longer to stop in warm weather.

But apparently there are now some all season tires with the snowflake that are getting good reviews. And, darn it, I didn't bookmark the stuff I found on them. Does Bridgestone Silver Armour sound right? I think it was this forum where I learned of them.

We just got a nice bit of snow and pooch and I might go for a ski shortly. But this is our fourth snowfall since mid October. Each of the first three pretty well disappeared afterward. It would be nice to always be ready for it by having a snowflake that can run all year.

Saskateam

· #7 · Nov 24, 2013

You may want to look at Goodyear triple tread assurance tires. If you only have a small amount of snow they will be very good for you.

ib516

· #8 · Nov 24, 2013 (Edited)

Background on me -- I work as a Collision Reconstructionist, and I have testified as an expert witness in many courtroom cases involving fatal collisions. I live in Canada.

My personal truck (1 ton diesel 4x4) has all terrain type tires on it. My wife's front wheel drive van has 4 winter tires (Nokian), my son's front wheel drive car - yup, 4 winter tires on it.

They make a HUGE difference in winter traction, and are well worth the money on any vehicle that gets driven on ice & snow regularly.

Look for the "mountain/snowflake" symbol on the sidewall.

I plan to get 4 winter tires for my TrailHawk when it arrives.

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Reactions: 5

limey-g

· #9 · Nov 24, 2013

The first year I have had winter tires on my Dodge Journey R/T and it feels like a different vehicle in slippery conditions.
I would not have believed it would make such a difference.
Geoff

Reactions: 2

KepeliTH

· #10 · Nov 24, 2013

I plan on running these Firestone AT tires since there snow/ice ratings are not far behind the top ranked winter/snow tires. We don't get all that much snow at one time and the roads are cleared quickly. For 2 years I ran with summer performance tires on a RWD Lexus in snow but light snow. Occasionally we get dumped on when a Nor'easter arrives but other than that we usually see 2-4 inches here and there.

merft

· #11 · Nov 24, 2013

I went tested the Destination ATs on packed snow today. I tested slamming on my brakes at 25/35/45 mph. Each time the TH stopped decisively and stayed straight. I was impressed with the braking distance and control during heavy braking with the ATs. There was no ice to test on.

If I lived somewhere where the roads remained snow packed all winter, I would put winter tires on. I had winter tires on my old Subaru Impreza, it was a baller in the snow.

chalo

Discussion Starter · #12 · Nov 24, 2013

I just found this video where they actually try an AWD on snow with and without winter tires.

chalo

Discussion Starter · #13 · Nov 24, 2013

merft said:
I went tested the Destination ATs on packed snow today. I tested slamming on my brakes at 25/35/45 mph. Each time the TH stopped decisively and stayed straight. I was impressed with the braking distance and control during heavy braking with the ATs. There was no ice to test on.

If I lived somewhere where the roads remained snow packed all winter, I would put winter tires on. I had winter tires on my old Subaru Impreza, it was a baller in the snow.

Sounds like fun merft... any videos?

merft

· #14 · Nov 25, 2013

chalo said:
Sounds like fun merft... any videos?

Planned to, but then someone forgot their phone.

KepeliTH

· #15 · Nov 25, 2013

chalo said:
I just found this video where they actually try an AWD on snow with and without winter tires.

They compared snow tires with summer tires, this is a very unfair biased test since summer tires have no ice/snow ratings. They could have at least compared snow vs all-season.

Gurgle

· #16 · Nov 25, 2013

The one that came up right after this was good too, in an arena. They don't say what the cars are and whether they are FWD or what, you might recognize the car and know but I don't. Still, worth watching I think.

racedriver9

· #17 · Nov 26, 2013

Can anyone tell me what rims will cross with the 17 inch rims that are stock on the Cherokee ?? I've purchased snow tires and want to pick up a set of rims used or at the salvage yard to use this winter !! Or new if the price is affordable. Thanks

Impalazach

· #18 · Jun 7, 2014

chalo said:
Hello,

I have lived in Michigan for only a couple years and I really don't think I have seen a real Michigan winter yet, last couple have had very little snow.

Also, I just bought a 2014 Cherokee 4x4 3.2L. My question to all experienced Jeep 4x4 owners who happen to live where there's snow during winter...

Do you guys use winter tires along with your 4x4 Jeeps or do you survive just well with all-season tires and snow mode in your Jeep?

I have seen a few videos of winter tire comparison in FWD cars with and without winter tires or videos of FWD with winter tires vs 4x4... but haven't seen any comparison of 4x4 with or without winter tires... so what's your opinion on this?

I do plan to get winter tires, but still wanted to hear from experienced people here.

I have a 2014 sport cherokee, took it through 4 foot deep snow without snow tires , went through no problem also driving on the highway with the snow option on corrects the vehicle so well I'm not afraid to push through bad conditions with it, as long as you know your boundaries I'd say you'd be fine

CDNTrailHawk

· #19 · Jun 12, 2014

limey-g said:
The first year I have had winter tires on my Dodge Journey R/T and it feels like a different vehicle in slippery conditions.
I would not have believed it would make such a difference.
Geoff

Ditto! Although those 19" Kumho's that came on the RT were absolute garbage. Racing slicks may have been better on ice! :surprise:

With the Blizzaks, that thing is a mountain goat. I'll be getting a set for the KL this winter!

RojStock

· #20 · Jun 12, 2014

June snow tire talk? lol.

Good to get an early start I guess. :grin:

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