Stock Tires in Snow in SNOW BELT

Topcat · Feb 8, 2009

I just traded my 09 Dodge Powerwagon with Icelander Green Diamond tires in for my 09 Limited 4X4 FDI

1) What is your experience in deep snow with the stock tires?

I live in Erie, PA and We already have had 120.3 inches of snow...

I live on a dirt road and get DEEP SNOW about once every two weeks. It's normal for me to get 8-12 inches of snow 2-3 days in a row.

2) The FDI doesn't have 4 Low Correct?

3) When I have deep snow I want to engage 4WD Lock? obviously the answer is yes.

4) I also want to go to Partial ESP?

(PARTIAL ESP
This mode is entered by momentarily depressing the “ESP Control Switch”. When in “Partial Off” mode, the TCS portion of ESP, except for the “limited slip” feature described in the TCS section, has been disabled and the “ESP/TCS Indicator Light” will be illuminated. All other stability features of ESP function normally, with the exception of engine power reduction. This mode is intended to be used if the vehicle is in deep snow, sand or gravel conditions and more wheel spin than ESP would normally allow is required to gain traction. )

5) In 4WD Lock, it will not disengage until I disengage it? This can be done on the fly, at any vehicle speed. and will not disengage itself at a set speed correct?

The set speed disengagement is for the ESP Off: In this mode, ESP and TCS, except for the “limited slip” feature described in the TCS section, are turned off until the vehicle reaches a speed of 35 mph and At 35 mph (56 km/h) the normal ESP stability function returns with the exception of engine power reduction. TCS remains off. When the vehicle speed drops below 30 mph (48 km/h) the ESP system shuts off. ESP is off at low vehicle speeds so that it will not interfere with off-road driving but ESP function returns to provide the stability feature at speeds above 35 mph (56 km/h).

6) So for the snow covered roads, I want to put 4WD Lock and Partial ESP?
This locks the center coupling allowing more torque to be sent to the rear wheels and when in Partial ESP, the TCS portion of ESP, except for the “limited slip” feature described in the TCS section, has been disabled All other stability features of ESP function normally, with the exception of engine power reduction.

7) I am debating if I want to purchase snow tires since I have until about April 1 until Winter is over for me?

If you have FF1 and drive snow covered roads is that how you roll, 4WD Lock and ESP Partial or ESP OFF.

Please give me your experiences...

I am thinking this is going to be pretty awesome...

Topcat

dm1333 · Feb 8, 2009

I live in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. We have had 101.1 inches this year so far. I have a 5spd FDI and have never had to use the 4x4 lock or turn ESP off. Yesterday I was behind a truck that got stuck in a parking lot at a snowmobile race. The parking attendants asked me if I could back up a bit and turn to the right and drive through a small gap in the wall of snow to my right. I told them it was no problem, backed up and powered through a good foot of loosely compacted snow(only about 10 yeards till I was back on compacted snow) and into the next lot. Then they were able to get behind the stuck 4x4 and haul him out too.

I have the stock tires pumped up to about 36 psi with about 3000 miles on the tires.

jepstr67 · Feb 8, 2009

If you have the 17" wheels the Wrangler SR-A tires are fine. We have those on our Compass. I had the Goodyear Eagle 16" tires which are now banished to the garage only to return in summer. I bought a second set of wheels and I'm running BF Goodrich Long trail TA Tour tires in the P215/75R15 size. Yesterday I had a great test for them. I powered my way all the way back to my dad's shed through 14" of lose ice crystal type snow. Even deeper in spots, curves, about 400 feet of travel through that stuff. I didn't even turn ESP off so I know I wasn't even slipping. I did engage the 4x4. I'm really sold on these tires. My stock Eagles, a performance tire :doh:, would have left me mired in it loose snow as soon as the rear wheels left the pavement. Those original tires are like gall-darn golf cart tires.

Jeep Frank · Feb 9, 2009

I have the SR-A's and I have been happy with them in the snow. With esp and 4 x 4, its hard to lose traction in the Patriot!

luffy · Feb 9, 2009

Have been driving to Edinboro (15 miles from Erie) 2 or 3 times a month. On the highway I leave ESP on and the Pat in 4X4. The only time I need to turn ESP to off is on the occasional steep driveway when it is necessary to power your way up. Oh yeah, after two winters and 83K I still use the SR-A.

Topcat · Feb 9, 2009

Awesome....So you are happy with the stock tires and you leave ESP on and use 4X4...That's the info I am looking for...

Sweet....Yeah, I live about 12 miles from Edinboro...

Topcat

festerw · Feb 9, 2009

I'm out near Cambridge Springs and have to say the stock SR-A's were great in the snow (I say were because they wore out at 25K and got replaced). I'm with luffy keep the ESP on and engage 4wd and you'll be fine for 95% of on road situations.

FWIW I live down a dirt road also and the SR-A's aren't all that great in the mud so take it slow in the rain.

APT · Feb 9, 2009

The OEM tires are fine in the snow. You don't have the SR-As, though.

Most drivers should start their Jeeps and drive. No buttons, levers, etc. You can play with the ESP modes and 4WD lock to see if you notice any difference in performance, but most of the time just enjoy the drive. If there is some deep snow, you may want ESP Partial just to get moving, but while rolling, ESP normal/full on is probably best. sometimes we get carried away on here with some of the details/effectiveness of the various modes. The fact is that 95% of FDI owners will never touch the ESP swtich and 75% will never lift the T-handle for 4WD lock. For almost any on-road situation, that is fine.

FWIW, I drive with ESP Partial most of the time (wet/dry/snow/ice) and 4WD lock for snow/ice. I like drive sideways/drift/oversteer and ESP cuts in to ruin my party.

Regarding #2, you are correct. No "low range" gear for FDI. You can lock the lowest gear ratio using the autostick.

#5: I have seen no documentation that says otherwise. 4x4 lock = center coupler locked. Dis/Engage at any speed.

Skip snow tires this year. maybe next year.

Schoat333 · Feb 9, 2009

I have had no problems with my stock goodyears on the 16" steelies.

Tormac · Feb 10, 2009

Sorry for the topic drift, but how did you like the green diamond tires Topcat?

I'm thinking of trying those instead of the Bridgestone Blizaks I normaly get, but don't know anyone with first hand experience with the green diamond tires.

rocal · Feb 10, 2009

This tyre situation is a bit of a pain over here in Europe. The wheel size that Jeep have chosen is shared only by a BMW X3. This means that the choice of tyres is very limited. There are none with even a moderately aggressive winter tread. I think this is a shame. I used to notice a huge difference in performance on mud and snow when I changed to a decent tyre in a Land Rover Freelander (LR2?). I'd have liked to have been in the same "spoilt-for-choice" situation where the Pat's concerned.

Rocal

snowpatriot · Feb 10, 2009

I stayed with my SR-A's for the first winter and did okay even in the deep stuff...Due to tire wear I went for Studded Winterforce tires for this season and went down to 16" steel rims...I have to say MUCH better than SR-A's and due to the increase in traction, I never had to play with four wheel drive or traction control...I get plenty of lake effect snow here and can see feet of snow at one shot...I think we are 140" plus so far this season...if I didn't see snow fall like this, I'd save my money and stick with stock.

Stock Tires in Snow in SNOW BELT

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