NEcherokee

I know it's not a good idea to drive down the road in 4h everyday. If slick conditions exist like icy roads, is it going to be okay to run down the road at 45 mph in 4h? I drove home from work in the snow tonight for the first time in my Jeep and I had it in 2h and could not seem to get any traction at all.

Martlor13

I rarely switch into 4wd, even in snowy and icy conditions haha... but you would be ok to be in 4hi....let me ask you, what tires do you have? Tires go a long way to getting traction. If you don't have adequate tires, 4wd won't really make a big difference.

NEcherokee

I have Westlake a/t tires (http://westlaketireusa.com/tires/suvrlt/westlake.html). They came on my Jeep from the po and I'm fairly sure they're cheap brand all terrains. So far they've been great in mud but water/ice is treacherous. I've read a few reviews and they're kinda known for it... Scary but I think I'm just gonna toss a few sand bags in and limp it for the rest of winter.

Martlor13

yes sir a very budget tire...great in mud? I'm not sure the mud you are in, but all terrains do not shine in mud hahah....judging from your username, you are in the an area that gets alot of snow and ice? If so I think you might be better served getting some better treads. Beats slipping off the road and damaging your jeep for a higher cost then tires would have been haha. My customers from the snow regions of my area get a separate tire Just for winter. But a good all terrain usually is sufficient enough.

jordan96xj

NEcherokee,

I'm a NE jeeper. Even with miserable storms, and a 80 mile/day daily commute, I will probably use my 4wd/HI about 30 minutes a year. Its good for slowly working through deepening snow in white-out conditions, when the plows are outnumbered. But for everything else, the TIRES are what really matter. They are what will keep you on the road and give you most of your traction, most of the time.

Basically, if the conditions allow for me doing more than 45mph, then they are also normally good enough for me to disengage 4wd. But you can run the 4wd between 55-60mph without damaging the transfer case, as long as you are not doing it on dry pavement (I wouldn't do it on rain either though). So light snow and ice, however, doing 60 in those conditions is just asking for it.

If you have marginal tires, then keep an eye on craigslist, sometimes people dump entire sets of very good tires as they upgrade to their own preferences. Also, a local tire shop can sometimes hook you up with good deals when customers are taking certain brands off, to replace with others. But you may have to let the shop know that you are on the lookout for a new set, so that they remember to let you know.

Ok, shameless plug, the Hankook Dynapro ATMs have been a very good performer in the ice/snow at a reasonable cost. They are basically the reason that I never need 4wd engaged.

00t444e

Its ok to run in 4hi in ice/snow, just take it out of 4x4 if you are making tight turns and it is binding up.

Turbo X_J

It's best to save 4WD to back out of whatever you're stuck in because when you get 4WD stuck it's usually bulldozer time. 4wd doesn't make it safer to drive in treacherous conditions contrary to Facebook belief.

00t444e

4x4 keeps the rear from sliding out as easy and it also helps with braking.

StealthyMcStealth

I don't live where it snows but talking purely about the mechanical aspect of "can you" drive in 4H on the highway when there is snow or ice? Absolutely! When you are off-roading in 4H there are many times, like on rocks or hard dirt, where all four tires have good traction and it does not harm the 4x4 components. That is what they were designed for. Snow or ice has less traction than dry rocks or dirt, so it would do even less wear and tear on the drivetrain. But I do agree that tires (and/or tire chains/cables) make a huge difference when it comes to vehicle control.

Outlaw Star

I personality try not to use 4L unless necessary. I use 4H so I still have 4L as a backup just in case.

NEcherokee

I put it in 4h on the way to school this morning and it made a world of difference. Stopped my back end from sliding everywhere. Thanks!

mschi772

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/winter-tires-219380/

I'll leave that right here.

Martlor13

i don't sell many true winter tires. They are tough sells. Don't take them o ffroad either if you guys do have a set... you'll destroy them haha

Morat

242

cruiser54

No kidding. I love 242 transfer cases. Best of both worlds.