6th Gen + Snow = Amazing

[willb]

I've been very impressed so far with the capability of the 6th gen (not that previous versions couldn't). It's now been through fairly ice packed off-road trails, deep crunchy snow that is easy to get stuck in....pushed through no issue...even with the chin spoiler picking up drag on the snow. Then yesterday, for the better part of 2 hours, we navigated around various stuck vehicles, tow trucks, chained 18 wheelers and snow removal gear with zero question about moving forward. The only thing I noticed, which I sense is the same with any vehicle is that with the heavy snows, road spray and such that the sensors will become iced over or covered, rendering them inoperable, making the dash blink like a christmas tree.

The stress levels being completely gone makes this purchase worth it to me...100% worth every penny.

Anyone else really dug in with snow yet?

 

[jdgreen]

Switching from Jeep to 4R TRD, we're giving up full-time 4x4. I know we'll miss it, but find some consolation in willb's enthusiastic review of the 4R in slippery conditions.

 

[CShel]

Thanks for the post, I live in Summit County, so ice and snow are a way of life and any info on winter driving the 6G is helpful. It looks like you have the TRD Off Road .. (Premium?) I am curious about a few things since this is a part time 4wd system.
1. Are you shifting on the fly from 2wd to 4hi on pavement in mixed snow conditions smoothly and at what speeds
2. Are you using the rear differential locker switch in both 2wd and 4hi and does it lock smoothly while vehicle is in motion, have you tried this on pavement in mixed snow cond
3. Is the traction control system active while in 4hi and/or in all modes
4. Is there a button to deactivate the stop start (engine kill) and does it have to be deactivated each time the vehicle is shut off and restarted
5. Are you using premium fuel at high altitude and if not have you noticed any difference in performance with regular gas
6. I wasnt clear if you had experienced any sensor issues related to snow and ice that had any effect on SS 3.0 systems
TYIA, any info appreciated.

 

[zgreen]

Switching from Jeep to 4R TRD, we're giving up full-time 4x4. I know we'll miss it, but find some consolation in willb's enthusiastic review of the 4R in slippery conditions.

Hey JD. I am in the same boat and coming from a Grand Cherokee, with the full time 4x4. Still a bit apprehensive about it all and hoping to see more threads on the snow performance.

 

[Positronic]

I've been very impressed so far with the capability of the 6th gen (not that previous versions couldn't). It's now been through fairly ice packed off-road trails, deep crunchy snow that is easy to get stuck in....pushed through no issue...even with the chin spoiler picking up drag on the snow. Then yesterday, for the better part of 2 hours, we navigated around various stuck vehicles, tow trucks, chained 18 wheelers and snow removal gear with zero question about moving forward. The only thing I noticed, which I sense is the same with any vehicle is that with the heavy snows, road spray and such that the sensors will become iced over or covered, rendering them inoperable, making the dash blink like a christmas tree.

The stress levels being completely gone makes this purchase worth it to me...100% worth every penny.

Anyone else really dug in with snow yet?

As someone who heads up to summit county 4-5x per ski season i'm curious how those stock tires were feeling on that third picture down. Looks like you were close to loveland pass and the tunnel in some blowing snow and iced up road?

 

[willb]

Thanks for the post, I live in Summit County, so ice and snow are a way of life and any info on winter driving the 6G is helpful. It looks like you have the TRD Off Road .. (Premium?) I am curious about a few things since this is a part time 4wd system.
1. Are you shifting on the fly from 2wd to 4hi on pavement in mixed snow conditions smoothly and at what speeds
2. Are you using the rear differential locker switch in both 2wd and 4hi and does it lock smoothly while vehicle is in motion, have you tried this on pavement in mixed snow cond
3. Is the traction control system active while in 4hi and/or in all modes
4. Is there a button to deactivate the stop start (engine kill) and does it have to be deactivated each time the vehicle is shut off and restarted
5. Are you using premium fuel at high altitude and if not have you noticed any difference in performance with regular gas
6. I wasnt clear if you had experienced any sensor issues related to snow and ice that had any effect on SS 3.0 systems
TYIA, any info appreciated.

Thanks for the post, I live in Summit County, so ice and snow are a way of life and any info on winter driving the 6G is helpful. It looks like you have the TRD Off Road .. (Premium?) I am curious about a few things since this is a part time 4wd system.
1. Are you shifting on the fly from 2wd to 4hi on pavement in mixed snow conditions smoothly and at what speeds
2. Are you using the rear differential locker switch in both 2wd and 4hi and does it lock smoothly while vehicle is in motion, have you tried this on pavement in mixed snow cond
3. Is the traction control system active while in 4hi and/or in all modes
4. Is there a button to deactivate the stop start (engine kill) and does it have to be deactivated each time the vehicle is shut off and restarted
5. Are you using premium fuel at high altitude and if not have you noticed any difference in performance with regular gas
6. I wasnt clear if you had experienced any sensor issues related to snow and ice that had any effect on SS 3.0 systems
TYIA, any info appreciated.

1. Are you shifting on the fly from 2wd to 4hi on pavement in mixed snow conditions smoothly and at what speeds - I would swtich to 4H on the fly while driving at speed, and back to 2 with no issues
2. Are you using the rear differential locker switch in both 2wd and 4hi and does it lock smoothly while vehicle is in motion, have you tried this on pavement in mixed snow cond - Haven't used it or needed it as of yet
3. Is the traction control system active while in 4hi and/or in all modes - The only time I believe it disables and have seen it disabled is 4L. Otherwise it's on, i've only noticed it kick in when getting heavy on the pedal going over a steeper grade in snow w/o using 4H
4. Is there a button to deactivate the stop start (engine kill) and does it have to be deactivated each time the vehicle is shut off and restarted. I don't believe my trim level has this, it's never auto shutoff/on (TRD Off Road Premium, non-hybrid)
5. Are you using premium fuel at high altitude and if not have you noticed any difference in performance with regular gas. - Didn't know using premium fuel at high alt was a thing so no, going up/down to Eisenhower, I may have hit 3k RPM around 85 mph (this was in dry conditions on a different dry day). Very smooth and never felt like the engine was under strain
6. I wasnt clear if you had experienced any sensor issues related to snow and ice that had any effect on SS 3.0 systems. Nothing i've noticed,

 

[willb]

As someone who heads up to summit county 4-5x per ski season i'm curious how those stock tires were feeling on that third picture down. Looks like you were close to loveland pass and the tunnel in some blowing snow and iced up road?

Yep! Eastbound just past the tunnel, conditions weren't great but I didn't feel any issues with grip or anything like I was even on snow with the stock tires on the OR edition. Disengaged 4H around Georgetown on the fly.

 

[willb]

Hey JD. I am in the same boat and coming from a Grand Cherokee, with the full time 4x4. Still a bit apprehensive about it all and hoping to see more threads on the snow performance.

I guess i'm confused (not having ever hard all-time 4x4)....why the issue? You can engage/disengage it on the fly at speed so essentially the only difference is turning a nob when you need it, and leaving it off when you don't.

 

[zgreen]

I guess i'm confused (not having ever hard all-time 4x4)....why the issue? You can engage/disengage it on the fly at speed so essentially the only difference is turning a nob when you need it, and leaving it off when you don't.

Same here Will, just the opposite. I've had 5 Jeep Grand Cherokee's and have never had to manually switch to 4H. The computer just always took care of it, no matter the condition. I just drove to Coeur d'Alene, ID and back (from NW Montana) yesterday over two passes, with snow, ice and rain. Cars and Semi's were going off the road, getting stuck, etc. I just plowed on through with the Jeep on Cooper Road & Trail ATs and didn't have to worry about when to switch and when not to.

Just something to get used to I suppose and was just wondering when it is in 4H, how it would compare and if the manual switching every time it get's slick out was something to be concerned about.

 

[willb]

Same here Will, just the opposite. I've had 5 Jeep Grand Cherokee's and have never had to manually switch to 4H. The computer just always took care of it, no matter the condition. I just drove to Coeur d'Alene, ID and back (from NW Montana) yesterday over two passes, with snow, ice and rain. Cars and Semi's were going off the road, getting stuck, etc. I just plowed on through with the Jeep on Cooper Road & Trail ATs and didn't have to worry about when to switch and when not to.

Just something to get used to I suppose and was just wondering when it is in 4H, how it would compare and if the manual switching every time it get's slick out was something to be concerned about.

so I have yet to be in a situation where switching it was required, I’ve typically just been proactive and anytime the road is covered or I see other cars having issue with traction. I would’ve just cut it over to four high however that would be a good test to see what the limit is.

 

[zgreen]

so I have yet to be in a situation where switching it was required, I’ve typically just been proactive and anytime the road is covered or I see other cars having issue with traction. I would’ve just cut it over to four high however that would be a good test to see what the limit is.

Looking forward to hearing more! Hopefully my TRD Pro will be at the dealership in the next week or so and when it snows again up here, I’ll take it out to see what it’s got! Thanks man.

 

[CO/ZA]

To make a point, you shouldn't be using 85 octane in turbo charged cars at altitude.

It's fine if you're running around town doing 2-3k rpm tops, but up in the mountains under load you can suffer some serious engine problems.



I'm planning on using 89 or 91 octane exclusively.

 

[mars001]

I don't remember seeing 85 in US. The lowest is 87.

 

[kzrman]

To make a point, you shouldn't be using 85 octane in turbo charged cars at altitude.

It's fine if you're running around town doing 2-3k rpm tops, but up in the mountains under load you can suffer some serious engine problems.



I'm planning on using 89 or 91 octane exclusively.

Since the engine is designed for 87 octane wouldn't the computer adjust for the added altitude? What am I missing?

 

[kzrman]

I don't remember seeing 85 in US. The lowest is 87.

I suspect that different parts of the U.S. have different low end octane ratings. You are probably just used to seeing 87 octane in your area.