Every winter I take the advantage of an empty snow covered parking lot to practice my driving skills. To most this would appear to be the actions of a teenager with his parents Jeep out for fun but I'm serious.
I test the control of my Jeep well clear of any other vehicles, lamp poles or curbs. I test the operation of the ABS, ESP, 4WD modes and the ability of the tires. My 2004 Liberty is easy to learn since it doesn't have all those fancy automated controls, no ABS or ESP. Still every winter I need to learn how to brake without putting myself in the ditch. My 2010 Patriot North Edition is another story. I'm still learning whether or not to leave the ESP on or off or if I should drive with the 4WD "locked in".
One important lesson I learned yesterday is not to "drift" a Liberty with a utility trailer behind it
, it really swung about. Lucky I didn't "jack knife" it.Does everybody do this or am I alone?