Can anybody enlighten me as to how a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon would handle everyday slippery roads if you can't engage the Part-time 4WD system in dry conditions? In other words, is there a mechanism that adds traction other than the 4WD? Otherwise, it would seem horribly unpractical to buy one if you didn't derive any kind of benefit in winter conditions.

Anyone with an experience or comment would be appreciated.

I live in a rural area where traditional 4x4 trucks rule. How many times have I seen them in trouble on icy roads with no hope of engaging 4x4? Too many. The last one involved a Ford pickup out of control and sideways in the passing lane and the rest of us as far over as we could be. The guy was so busy trying to control the thing that getting into 4x4 was probably beyond his mental and physical capacity. I know I could not have done it. The last thing I saw was his 4x4 badge passing by my window at at odd angle as he started to climb the bank in preparation for his rollover. However, there I was in my little AWD traction aplenty, able to steer and use the gas to avoid getting in his way and crunched.. I can only conclude that a lot of these 4x4 trucks actually run around in 2WD all the time? Somehow the logic of a lot of 4x4 stuff gets by me? It should be a life saver not a decoration...Or am I wrong? Thoughts?

The Rubicon has 2wd, 4hi and 4 lo. So most driving you do would be in 2wd. When off-roading, you would want 4hi or 4lo depending on what you are doing. There is actually a good animation on Jeep's website.

That being said, most people don't realize that the sole purpose of the Rubicon was to have a very capable stock off-road vehicle. A lot of improvements you make for off-roading (suspension lifts, larger tires, etc) can hinder your on-road experience, so the Rubicon may be more capable off-road, but rides a bit rougher on-road. Since all 4 tires are locked in in 4wd, it is not as safe in slippery conditions on road. If you go to any respectable Jeep dealership, they will tell you to not even bother with the Rubicon unless you plan on going off-roading, because it is unpractical as a daily driver.

So unclejj, in my opinion, that question was probably not even addressed when building the Rubicon, since its native roads are made of dirt and rocks instead of concrete or asphalt.

...I can only conclude that a lot of these 4x4 trucks actually run around in 2WD all the time? Somehow the logic of a lot of 4x4 stuff gets by me? It should be a life saver not a decoration...Or am I wrong? Thoughts?

It is not a good idea to drive in true 4wd on pavement... HERE's (http://4x4abc.com/4WD101/axle-wind-up.html) a good example.

Yes, most 4wd do spend a lot of their time in 2wd. Even on the trails, I spend a good deal of time in 2wd. I switch over to 4wd when the road conditions warrent the extra traction. Going slow and deliberate gets me back further without breakage.... it's worked for many years of wheeling so far.

I'm glad you guys confirmed this for me.....I guess, ideally we'd all love to own a beast like the FJ, Wrangler, etc....but they just don't seem practical. I was reading that the Wrangler offers traction-control on its vehicles.....if that is true, how does that effect the way it handles on icy conditions? Even without 4wd engaged, you are getting some benefits of traction.....at least from the right wheel to the left. But that isn't going to compete with an AWD vehicle.


That's why this Patriot is really an awesome idea. A very good hybrid....AWD and off-road capability. A slightly stonger engine would have made this the perfect jeep for the average joe.

My Wrangler can be squirrely in 2wd on the streets in winter, but it is my DD and I wouldn't trade it for anything. But, I got it so I could go places where other rigs fear to tread, which is what its all about.

You are right, AWD is the way to go, which explains why every other person up here owns a Subaru. Hopefully the Patriot can make a dent in that. I will never be a member of the Subaru mafia. I am too addicted to Jeeps. I want a Patriot, my only fear is that it might be underpowered with just a 4-banger in it.

All Jeepers,
I am a new JeepHead....yet see that I am hooked on the styling and image and now the prcie point....VALUE is what drives my decisions....
I see Patriot as the SUV I would have designed if asked...I'll keep the puppy for 5-8 years...and love every minute....
Light Khacki, big tires, upgraded stereo, leather, etc....
4 cylinder may smack of sensible, but I can justify all of this purchase as just what I AND my family needs....
The Shelby Mustang GT will have to wait!

out,
Duke

From the perspective of driving professionally (and owner of two Jeeps), there are a lot of 4x4--and AWD--owners who think that they own the roads when conditions warrant caution. As I have stated in other forums, in most instances, it is a matter of experience (or lack of) that determines whether one ends up in a ditch--not whether one has a 4x4, AWD, or 2WD. If one wants to drive like an idiot, I will wave as I pass by:-)

From the perspective of driving professionally (and owner of two Jeeps), there are a lot of 4x4--and AWD--owners who think that they own the roads when conditions warrant caution...

I agree and think it goes beyond vehicle type. I have seen my share of car owners who think if they only give it more gass they won't slip as much... they just sit and spin.

Too many driver's with too little understanding about their situation and the vehicle's abilities and limitations.

I prefer a stick over an automatic for icy conditions. It is so easy to push in the clutch when ou hit an icy patch. Simply letting off the gas on an auto can still cause a little slippage as compared to free rolling wheels with the clutch pushed in.

Another factor to consider is to knowing where to put the tires in various conditions, too.

I agree. I lived in Raleigh for 6 months and when it snows like two inches there, all hell breaks loose and everything closes down. They have very few snow plows there, so they pretty much just focus on the highways when it snows, and the snow/ice accumulates on the backroads. But the drivers have no clue what to do. Often times are going WAY to slow for the conditions, which is really frustrating from someone that knows how to drive in it.

The funny thing though is that up north, you see 2WD cars on the side of the road because of the snow. Down there you see more SUVs and AWD cars because they think that they are invincible.

That being said, my Cherokee was a champ in the icy roads (well there was snow on top, which sort of froze unevenly, so there was surprisingly good traction). So we took my roomates air mattress, wrapped it with my friends tarp, and tied it to the back axle of my Jeep and had a little bit of fun dragging people on the mattress through the local neighborhood. When you are on an air mattress, 15 mph feels like 50. What a good time!

Its all about not being able to stop, vs not being able to go. 4wd helps you go, driving smart and cautious helps you stop.

I agree with that comment, but I'll throw in another element (and to me this is the most important): I'm interested in how a vehicle handles as it is progressing forward or turning on slippery surfaces.

Obviously, 4WD/AWD isn't going to help you stop....but it should maintain a grip on the road. This is where AWD is beautiful, because you don't have to wait to make sure that there is an inch of visible snow/ice on the ground before engaging it safely.

I was curious how the Wranglers Traction Control would stack up against an AWD vehicle.

One advantage 4wd has over AWD (typically) when it comes to stopping in the snowy conditions is that there is almost alway more clearance under the vehicle which will allow you to steer over onto the undriven soft surfaces. This is a good way to get a little extra grip to help stop with more control. Staying in the packed slippery rut of all the drivers before you is not the way to stop.

Some other big factors in stopping are the right tires, possibly cmbined with chains, and the right air pressure for the situation.