Snow handling

mauritiuspan · Dec 11, 2007

Hi,

Anybody has the link for Patriot snow handling?

Thanks

homac · Dec 11, 2007

Snow Handling

I just took mine out for some snow filled offroad action.....

See link:
http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3946

On snow covered roads it handles extremely well
In offroad snow up to 30cm, traction is not a problem
Traction on hardpacked snow/ice is good, however could be improved by upgrading the stock tires
When going offroad I suggest locking the 4WD via the T-bar and turning ESP off by holding the "ESP Off" button down for 6 seconds (made a big difference when going up steep snow covered hills or navigating deep snow.

Hope this helps.....

mauritiuspan said:
Hi,

Anybody has the link for Patriot snow handling?

Thanks

mountainannie · Dec 11, 2007

Should I turn the esp off or partially off when going up a steep hill with deep snow. I live pretty much "off road" and had some trouble getting up my neighbors drive the other night. I had to back down and try again. It was about a foot deep on a steep dirt hill. Can I turn the esp partially off so that it maintains momentum but will still help with traction control?
This esp is the only thing that I am still getting used to. My guess is that most people will never have to mess with it. Where I live and drive I really want to know how and when to use it. :doh:

Patriot Kmc · Dec 11, 2007

Hey annie,

here is some info I posted in another thread regarding the use of the ESP.

Patriot Kmc said:
I think that maybe some of the scenarios here are easily addressed by having a read at the the owners manual with regards to the use of the ESP funtion.(page 141-144)

Anyone who has attempted to ascend steep inclines, especially off road and hasn't switched the ESP function partially off or comlpletely off, this will almost certainly be the root cause of lack of power/torque.

When the ESP is left in the normal mode (on) the system will reduce power to any wheels that it senses are slipping.

To put it simply :

ESP on (normal mode) for almost all driving situations.
ESP partially off for when vehicle is in deep snow,sand or gravel conditions.
ESP OFF is intended for off road use when ESP stability features could inhibit vehicle maneuverability due to trail conditions.

Hope this helps some.

Keeping Fingers Crossed · Dec 11, 2007

I read on another thread, that one Patriot User said he was getting snow packed in behind the plastic panels in the wheel wells, that could (or did) cause problems with steering.
Last I heard he was going back to the dealer and have them put a few more bolts or rivets and secure those panels in a little tighter.
Unsure what happened after that

snowpatriot · Dec 11, 2007

I've been hunting for true snow tires for my Pat. I have to say that for all of the driving that I've done so far that the OEM tires have been fine. But I've now had her in some hard packed snow and noticed a real tendency to plow through the corners ("understeer" in I'm not mistaken)...anyway a feeling that it wants to go straight instead of turning as you make your input at the steering wheel...I've even experienced some "fishtailing" when taking a sharp turn as well. Never had an issue of not being able to climb a slick driveway or getting it stuck (would take a lot more than the foot of snow I've had it in to do that) but as a daily driver I need to have the piece of mind that the next corner will corner and not send me into the hay field...time enough for that on the weekend ;>)

mountainannie · Dec 12, 2007

Thanks Kmc,
If I'm not mistaken you've had the best snow pics on here yet. I got the esp thing in the summer on steep hills and found out the hard way what I needed to do (turn off). I'll try the partially off going up in deep snow. If yours are the pics that I'm thinking of then you know the kind of snow I'm trying to get through!

zbee · Dec 12, 2007

ive just done a quick trip to one of our transmitter sites, and i am impressed the mountain has a thin layer of soil and when it gets wet you get a breakaway situation where things get very interesting, well the baby handled it superbly, we had a Nissan nivara as a vehicle and it used to slide every where, i put the patto into 4wd and switched off the esp and it stuk like "shyt to a blanket" with the factory tires, the slope is 32 degree incline and extremely rutted so big tick, we don't get snow in oztralia(well apart from a few mountains) so i would say the mud handling is similar

Simon · Dec 12, 2007

I was out on the Icy roads this morning and went to a parking lot that was empty to try out the ESP and the anti-lock brakes.
Without the ESP on , I was sliding all over the place and had no control at all. But with it on, the control of the vehicle was so good I went from no confidence to being able to steer and turn with confidence.
The Anti-lock Brakes worked good as well.
I'm not saying that I would drive on roads with bad conditions without caution. Just saying that the benefits of having these options is well worth it.

Snow handling

mauritiuspan

homac

mountainannie

Patriot Kmc

Keeping Fingers Crossed

snowpatriot

mountainannie

zbee

Simon

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