TJ sucks in the snow—are these tires not meant for the snow?

[OHFIVETJ]

North East * BLIZZARD * - A.K.A - "Nor Easter" Tire Question / HELP ?

So it's really nasty out right now / expecting 12" - 18" or more. For some of you this is nothing, for us it happens only once in a while. It's my first time out in my Jeep in this kind of snow. The last 2 years combined we only got 6" total for the both seasons. I notice that even in 4 wheel drive i'm all over the place, slipping, sliding, spinning even going slowly around turns & going straight it doesn't matter. I don't get stuck & my wheels don't spin, and it climbs the hills pretty good, but I don't feel like it's a solid grip & in control when driving even at 30 mph ( not speeding ) . It's NOT ice, just a bunch of snow maybe 4-5" at the moment & feeling a bit white knuckled to say the least. It's packed & unpacked in other places on & off.

I Never expected this in a Jeep / thought it would cruise & cut through the snow like butter with no issues like a beast ! My Mercedes E350 - 4 Matic AWD is 100X better & feels safer - I can almost drive that car the same like there is no snow at all with the exception in deeper snow because it doesn't have the clearance height like a jeep, so i'm shocked to say the least !! The tires are fairly new Mickey T's - 31's x 265-75-16 Baja ATZ P3

Are these not meant for or typically bad in the snow ? Is there a better suggestion - we do get our share of snow, but it's a short season & usually smaller amounts. It's not horrible, but it's not what I expected at all. I'd Love to hear from some of you guys with the snow expertise - so please chime in, THANKS !

 

[Chris]

TJs suck in the snow, period. Our Subaru Outback runs circles around the TJ. Welcome to the joys of a short wheelbase, an old school 4WD system, and no modern electronics.

You need a good snow tire for the snow such as a Blizzak.

 

[RMETeeJay]

I went from a KJ to my TJ and the first time driving in snow was an eye opener. I also have an Outback with snow tires and that is our go to for snow.

 

[jodomcfrodo]

A TJ is an ok vehicle in the snow if you know how to drive it. It will do much better than most vehicles on the road when the roads are unplowed, but once the roads become plowed with snow remaining it gets a little sketchier. Drive cautiously and a TJ is fine.

I grew up driving my TJ on roads that were covered in snow completely 5 months out of the year. I still have habits from that. I started sliding in a 2020 grand cherokee with ABS today and still found myself pumping the brake pedal.

Tires and brakes are a huge deal. I daily drove my TJ on 33 inch KM2's with stock brakes in high school in snow all winter long just fine. I switched to 35 inch trepadors with a BMB 15 inch kit and it is legitimately undriveable in the snow, mostly due to the tires.

 

[isaac2098]

Although I have an LJ, I haven't had many issues at all when it comes to sliding around. I just got Goodyear Duratracs last month and am salivating at having to go to work at 8am tomorrow

 

[CharlesHS]

North East * BLIZZARD * - A.K.A - "Nor Easter" Tire Question / HELP ?

So it's really nasty out right now / expecting 12" - 18" or more. For some of you this is nothing, for us it happens only once in a while. It's my first time out in my Jeep in this kind of snow. The last 2 years combined we only got 6" total for the both seasons. I notice that even in 4 wheel drive i'm all over the place, slipping, sliding, spinning even going slowly around turns & going straight it doesn't matter. I don't get stuck & my wheels don't spin, and it climbs the hills pretty good, but I don't feel like it's a solid grip & in control when driving even at 30 mph ( not speeding ) . It's NOT ice, just a bunch of snow maybe 4-5" at the moment & feeling a bit white knuckled to say the least. It's packed & unpacked in other places on & off.

I Never expected this in a Jeep / thought it would cruise & cut through the snow like butter with no issues like a beast ! My Mercedes E350 - 4 Matic AWD is 100X better & feels safer - I can almost drive that car the same like there is no snow at all with the exception in deeper snow because it doesn't have the clearance height like a jeep, so i'm shocked to say the least !! The tires are fairly new Mickey T's - 31's x 265-75-16 Baja ATZ P3

Are these not meant for or typically bad in the snow ? Is there a better suggestion - we do get our share of snow, but it's a short season & usually smaller amounts. It's not horrible, but it's not what I expected at all. I'd Love to hear from some of you guys with the snow expertise - so please chime in, THANKS !

View attachment 211200

The tires you have mounted on the Jeep appear not to have the Snow Flake endorsement which means they are not designed for snow driving. On the other hand; the Blizzak and the Duratrac do very well in the snow. You can see the ciping in the tire treads.

 

[isaac2098]

The tires you have mounted on the Jeep appear not to have the Snow Flake endorsement which means that are recommended for snow driving. On the other hand; the Blizzak and the Duratrac do very well in the snow. You can see the ciping in the tire treads. View attachment 211206

Can't emphasize the last part enough. Always have to respect the road because the second you let your guard down and get comfortable...

 

[Wire4money]

After driving my old TJ in the snow once, I found a new respect for those that daily them in a snowy climate. Short wheelbase with no ABS makes for a scary drive. My LJ with Duratracs is much better, but I rarely drive it during the winter.

 

[voodooridr]

Since I've never lived anywhere near snow and I don't know, Are M&S rated tires no good when the world turns white? Moving somewhere it snows (Spokane area) and both the LJ and the F250 have M&S (no cute snowflake pictures) rated tires. Am I going to have issues?

 

[bromel]

Hah, I just drove my TJ through the same blizzard. It handled fine enough, but I would never drive it in the snow like I drive my 2017 Subaru, which is so good in slippery conditions it's stupid. Short wheel base, no traction control, no ABS... not sure what you are expecting.

 

[OHFIVETJ]

Hah, I just drove my TJ through the same blizzard. It handled fine enough, but I would never drive it in the snow like I drive my 2017 Subaru, which is so good in slippery conditions it's stupid. Short wheel base, no traction control, no ABS... not sure what you are expecting.

What I expected was: A "Jeep" / 4X4 / tires with a lot of very big, deep tread / 6 speed, & lot's of ground clearance to be a bad ass beast in the snow / better, much better, then my AWD Benz sedan ...........it certainly looks like it should be better............I guess I expected too much

 

[RMETeeJay]

Since I've never lived anywhere near snow and I don't know, Are M&S rated tires no good when the world turns white? Moving somewhere it snows (Spokane area) and both the LJ and the F250 have M&S (no cute snowflake pictures) rated tires. Am I going to have issues?

You’ll be fine. Just like wheeling, experience matters. Take it to a parking lot in snow and learn its limits in a safe space. Practice in fresh and packed conditions.

 

[WallyWest]

I love my TJ for snow. Just took it around town before the plows got to the back streets. It's great.

Main advantage, no ABS. ABS sucks in snow, if I had it I'd wire a kill switch to turn it off.

Your Merc may feel better, because the electronic nanny features are driving for you, but I guarantee the Jeep is more capable. Just slow down. 30mph is too fast if you plan on stopping or turning. Yeah, people drive faster than that all the time in snow, and they also crash a lot. Those fancy AWD systems don't allow you to break the laws of physics.

 

[L J]

What I expected was: A "Jeep" / 4X4 / tires with a lot of very big, deep tread / 6 speed, & lot's of ground clearance to be a bad ass beast in the snow / better, much better, then my AWD Benz sedan ...........it certainly looks like it should be better............I guess I expected too much

Welcome to the group from the Island of Long, My name is Johnny & i'm no longer a JEEPAHOLIC

 

[TheBoogieman]

I've driven my Jeeps in 3' of snow for over 5 hours straight (my job) and never had a problem with MT tires. The deeper the snow, the better it does. A friend of mine has an AWD Subaru and it was buried in the deep stuff. He also tore the front end plastic up when the snow froze with his lack of ground clearance.

 

[Nickgsjeep]

Might be the tires I drove through Colorado in a snow storm on my way to Michigan (where I grew up) on a 2.5 inch lift and 31 inch duratracs and I was passing a good many Mercedes stuck in the drifts.

I was also not going 30mph

 

[bromel]

I think we need to draw a distinction between deep snow and ice/light snow. If we're measuring the amount of snow in feet, then obviously a TJ is unbeatable. But an inch or two of slush? Any AWD car with winter tires will be the better choice.

 

[Nickgsjeep]

It's NOT ice, just a bunch of snow maybe 4-5" at the moment & feeling a bit white knuckled to say the least. It's packed & unpacked in other places on & off.

I think we need to draw a distinction between deep snow and ice/light snow. If we're measuring the amount of snow in feet, then obviously a TJ is unbeatable. But an inch or two of slush? Any AWD car with winter tires will be the better choice.

I agree @bromel , I was referencing the above quote. Pretty similar conditions I drove through. The other low clearance cars were in drifts IM ASSUMING because they lost control and ended up in the drifts. That is an assumption though.

 

[RipSteakface]

My TJ is sketchy on dry pavement, not sure I would ever want to drive it in a snowstorm.

 

[Rubicon88]

Traction control...ABS...electronics...old style 4wd system...SWB

Seriously????

#1 The Jeep is light. If you hit areas plowed and then not the difference will grab the jeep and will throw the light little jeep around like nothing. It's like a suction effect that happens.

#2 tires...most are wider than not and thus reduce contact pressure. Contact pressure means everything in the slick hard pack. Deep snow only fat is better. On the road which gets packed down not so much.

#3 it's amazing to me just how much driving skill has deteriorated at present. I grew up driving rear wheel drives with studs and bags of stones for weight ij the trunk. It worked.

It's slick. Why is everyone in a such a hurry. Like...omg I can't drive fast in the snow what on earth will I do?

Christ sake. Slow down...have fun enjoying the snow drive...be safe.
And YES YOU CAN without ABS, special electronics or 24 position transfer cases, and yes...in a SWB vehicle.
There is 80 plus years that say you can.