Does Jeep Wrangler Need Winter Tires? (Beginners Guide)
According to the U.S. News & World Report, Jeep Wranglers are among the top ten best cars for driving on snow.
Consequently, if you live in a region with heavy snowfall, Jeep Wranglers should be on your to-buy list.
But do they need winter tires, or do they come ready for snow driving? Read on for this answer and many more.
Even though Jeep Wranglers come equipped with features for snow driving, they still need dedicated winter tires. That is because the snow-driving features are not sufficient to guarantee maximum protection on slippery surfaces and provide smooth handling.
Do Jeeps Need Winter Tires?
Jeep Wranglers need dedicated winter tires. The 4WD system and other features are not enough to provide complete safety on slippery icy, and snowy roads.
That is especially true during harsh snowfall when the snow is thick and slippery. For this reason, you should install dedicated winter tires on your jeep for better snow-driving performance.
Apart from improving handling and a smoother drive, winter tires in your Jeep Wrangler help you save maintenance costs.
True, the Jeep Wrangler comes equipped with all-terrain tires, but these fall short compared to dedicated winter tires.
Additionally, constant use of the all-terrain tires in thick snow hastens wear and tear, which demands replacement earlier than usual.
How Do Winter Tires Work?
Winter tires work by combining a well-constructed system of sipes, tread patterns and blocks, and rubber quality. These factors work in sync to produce superior handling on snow and ice.
During winter, when temperatures are cold, regular tires such as all-terrain and all-season tires become stiff and firm.
As a result, they are inflexible and negatively affect their traction-maintaining ability. Consequently, they have reduced grip leading to reduced handling.
Also, the treads are susceptible to wear faster.
Contrarily, winter tires contain rubber that is rich in silica. That makes them remain soft, pliable, and flexible in extremely cold conditions.
The compounds in the tires also have stronger bonds, which make for smooth handling on wintry roads.
What’s more, the sipes and tread patterns provide more biting edges and thus more contact surface with the snow. That provides a better grip.
Also, winter tires need less distance to come to a stop when you apply the brakes.
For example, the braking distance for a car running at 30 mph on snow is 25 percent less than other tire types.
Hence, it’s clear that your Jeep Wrangler, besides having a 4WD, needs dedicated winter tires to function optimally on snow.
Difference Between Standard Tires and Winter Tires?
The standard tires for Jeep Wranglers are all-terrain tires. As you’d have guessed, all-terrain tires are simply for all terrains.
However, they differ from winter tires. Below are the main differences between winter tires and all-terrain tires.
#1. Winter Tires
Winter tires are the best tire choice for snow. They have excellent grip and retain their efficiency in extreme cold. Therefore they are the best tire option for winter.
Additionally, braking tests have shown that the best winter tires at 40 mph will halt after 28 meters.
That further buttresses the fact that winter tires are superb on snowy and icy surfaces.
Furthermore, winter tires have deeper treads or sipes that increase traction on slippery surfaces.
The sipes on tires come in handy during snowfall or rainfall as they provide the tire with better traction.
That is because sipes provide higher biting edges with the road. Therefore, the more sipes a tire has, the more traction it possesses.
This feature, combined with the tread pattern, makes winter tires the tire of choice for snow driving.
Also, winter tires contain soft silica-containing rubber.
That increases the attractive bonds between the molecules so that the tenacity of the tire increases while reducing their resistance to rolling.
#2. All-Terrain Tires
Designed primarily for commutes off-road, they perform averagely well for all roads. Consequently, they find use on wet roads, dry roads, snowy and icy roads, and especially rocky roads.
In addition, they give your jeep just enough grip for icy and snowy roads.
Furthermore, the sipes for all-terrain tires are in a zigzag pattern.
The manufacturers reinforce the sidewalls with a powerful load capacity that makes handling easier on non-snowy roads.
They possess features amenable to off-roading and on-roading ventures. In addition, they have an open-tread pattern similar to winter tires that makes driving in wintry conditions possible.
However, they perform less on snow and ice when compared to winter tires. That’s because the tire rubber becomes stiff at freezing temperatures, reducing the traction on the roads.
Best Winter Tires for Jeep Wrangler
Even though the Jeep Wrangler can perform averagely well on snow, that’s another story when it comes to harsh wintry conditions.
The manufacturers of winter tires design them for winter, and they are the best when it comes to snow driving.
Therefore, getting the best winter tires shouldn’t be a debate.
Here are the three best winter tires for your snow-driving pleasure.
#1. Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV
This winter tire is king for providing good traction on ice and snow. The braking distance required to make a stop is 2.7 meters shorter than the average on the ice.
In addition, they do not become stiff in freezing temperatures because they contain silica-laden rubber.
Furthermore, the sipes come in a cross Z pattern, and the grooves run deep with large treads.
These features provide more grip, longer tread durability, and less wear. You also have the option of different vehicle tire sizes.
#2. Bridgestone Blizzak Winter Tire WS90
Bridgestone winter tires are one of the best winter tires out there as they are efficient on snow and ice.
In addition, these tires provide a greater grip through the improved tread blocks, the new compounds in the rubber, and the zigzag sipes, which creates more biting edges.
These features give this tire more traction on slippery wet and snow surfaces, provide improved handling, and reduce wear.
#3. Goodyear WinterCommand
WinterCommand is also one of the best winter tires available. Better still, there are different tire types available for the different Jeep Wrangler models.
However, I highly recommend the SUV type. But one thing’s for sure, though: no matter the type, superb snow handling is a constant.
The central V-shaped treads form tight tread blocks that remove water, slush, and snow. The grooves run deep and vertically, providing good maneuverability on snow.
The other good tires that can ply snow-laden roads, which can feature on this list but may not necessarily be winter tires, include:
- Goodyear Wrangler Radial Tire – 235/75R15 105S
- BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain Tire T/A KM3
- Falken Wildpeak AT3W All Terrain Radial Tire-265/70R17 115T
- Federal Couragia M/T Performance Radial Tire
- Milestar Patagonia M/T Mud-Terrain Radial Tire
- BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A K02
#4. Cost of Winter Tires
You can spend up to $1000 to get a decent set of dedicated winter tires. That value, however, is not static and varies with the make, the vehicle tire size, and the specific rim you want to buy.
Though pricy, winter tires give you value for your money. They are very durable, especially when you use them only periodically.
So do not let the extra cost hinder you from a better driving experience in winter that these tires offer.
Is a Jeep Wrangler Good in the Snow?
Every driver knows snow driving is a terror. Most don’t relish the idea of driving through snow each year.
But drivers of the Jeep Wrangler know that this car comes equipped with some features for snow driving. So, Jeep Wranglers are good in the snow when it’s not harsh.
Here are the features that make Jeep Wranglers amenable to snow driving:
#1. Four-Wheel-Drive
Jeep Wranglers are 4WD cars. That enhances their performance on wintry roads by increasing traction on the roads.
That same feature also makes them great for off-roading.
#2. Superb Ground Clearance
Jeep Wranglers’ trims have more than average ground clearance, with the lowest at 8.3 inches. Some trims are even way beyond that figure.
That helps a lot when driving through thick snow.
#3. Locking Differentials
The Rubicon trim of Jeep Wranglers comes fitted with selectable locking differentials, which give it an edge above the other trims.
In addition, it helps to provide more traction when you turn it on when snow driving.
#4. Fast Heating System
The heating system in Jeep Wranglers functions fast, making the drive comfortable.
Other features that help in snow driving include:
- The side mirrors are larger than average
- There are numerous tire choices to select from for the snowy terrains
- The blind-spot monitoring on newer models increases visibility during a harsh snowfall
Are Stock Jeep Tires Good in Snow?
Stock jeep tires are fairly good in the snow. Jeep Wranglers’ stock tires are of the all-terrain type. They are moderately good on snowy roads.
However, if you’re on the lookout for above-average, winter tires are the best. I have highlighted the features of all-terrain tires above.
Conclusion
Tires are one of the most neglected parts of a car, with attention only drawn to them when they get bad.
Nobody loves buying extra tires, especially when you think that your Jeep Wrangler tires can serve you.
Yet, you should give yourself maximum protection during winter by getting your Jeep Wrangler dedicated winter tires.
