I finally took my jeep into the snow, so I have some questions now:

1. I had 4WD activated coming down from the mountains on the snowy highway, then I realized there was no point in having 4WD activated since I was going downhill. No traction needed to go downhill. Am I correct in thinking this?

2. Do I need to worry about a stock Liberty getting stuck in snow as long as there isn't a clearance issue? I was in about 6 inches of snow in a parking lot, and it had a couple moments where it struggled a bit, but it made it ok. Anyone ever get stuck in snow?

I previously owned a 2WD tiny little pickup. It would get stuck everywhere. There is no way it would have gotten out of the parking lot I was in. So I guess I have been a little brainwashed from owning that darn thing. I'm afraid to take the Liberty anywhere because I'm so used to getting stuck.

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2007 Jeep Liberty Sport
Not Just Red..............Inferno Red !
Automatic, 4WD
Mopar Skids, Tow Hooks

if the snow is deep enough you put it in 4hi. I went an uphill long driveway withover a foot of snow and made it through fine. It also depends on the tires, if u got the stock goodyears, they are crappy tires to begin with

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2004 Liberty Renegade
Silver, loaded
Full skid plates
255/65/16 yokohama Geolander A/T-S
Tow hooks
Flowmaster super 44

1. Depends on the road conditions. If they are wet, or just just a dusting of snow, I would leave it in 2 wheel drive. If it where thick or hard packed I would have stayed in 4 hi and a lower gear, with the engine breaking to assist in keeping sped down and traction up.

2. If clearance isn't an issued the only thing holding you back would be your tires. But even the stock goodyears will get you out of a parking lot.

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- Mike
'12 JK

Jeep Tech Files

1. Depends on the road conditions. If they are wet, or just just a dusting of snow, I would leave it in 2 wheel drive. If it where thick or hard packed I would have stayed in 4 hi and a lower gear, with the engine breaking to assist in keeping sped down and traction up.

2. If clearance isn't an issued the only thing holding you back would be your tires. But even the stock goodyears will get you out of a parking lot.

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2007 Jeep Liberty Sport
Not Just Red..............Inferno Red !
Automatic, 4WD
Mopar Skids, Tow Hooks

While 4 wheel drive will not help you stop going downhill, I have always found it to steer better in snow and ice.. Even in heavy rain.

It will help you maintain better control however. Stopping isn't the only thing to worry about on a snowy mountain road.

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- Mike
'12 JK

Jeep Tech Files

Trucks always get stuck without sandbags-- even 4wd ones. They are so light over the backend that they just don't bite hard enough. Most cars will not get stuck in 6 inches of powdery snow, let alone a Jeep with clearance and heft. Regardless, it is never bad to be in 4x4 when you can be (not dry). It certainly will not hurt.

As for going down hill, of course the gravity would have pulled you down no problem, and of course 4x4 does not make a difference when stopping-- all modern vehicles have 4 wheel braking and 4wd does nothing to make the vehicle wheel brakes better. It does, however, help the vehicle steer better. It also helps the engine break better as the traction goes through 4 wheels instead of two.

When you have less traction there is a tendency for the vehicle to understeer (I.e. on ice, you turn the wheels and accelerate and the vehicle goes straight and does not turn). 4 wheel drive can help under-steer as the powered front wheels will pull you in the desired direction of travel. This works great on snow and dirt, or mud. Of course on ice or anything really slippery-- nothing works. You always have to have some traction, but 4wd makes the most of whatever is there. I would say as long as it is not dry (causing driveline bind), feel free to put it into 4-hi if you think you need it.

If you have 4-full time, put it in 4-full time whenever the weather is iffy and don't worry about it.

Of course, none of this works if you don't have good tires. Good snow tires or all weather tires will help the most here--2wd or 4wd.

Being in 4wd WILL help you slow down faster in snow going down hill IF-----You shift into a lower gear and allow comprsion braking help slow you down.With the compression braking acting on all 4 wheels will slow you down faster then just the rear wheels alone(plus in only 2wd going down hill and shifting into a lower gear can,not always,but can temporay lock the rear wheels,then you loose control).

You just counterdicked your self with that whole statement with that last sentance(which is right).

I meant the first part to refer to the disk brakes (wheel brakes). I did not mean the first part to refer to added engine braking. Should have been more clear.

Your questions have been pretty much answered, but you asked if anyone ever got stuck in snow. I almost did. Last year we had a 27" storm and I had to do a 100 mile round trip in it. Mostly h/w that was plowed, so no problem. (some unplowed stuff and no problem) I just stayed in 4 hi. But coming into my driveway that had been plowed in with about 4 feet of snow and ice chunks from the snowplow was different. As I was turning in I knew there was going to be a problem. Coming in at an angle (not good) and feeling like I was getting high centered on ice chunks etc. I was able to back out after a couple of tries and went to 4lo first gear and got a straight shot at it and it drove right through it. Good thing. I would have been totally embarrased getting stuck in the driveway for sure. After I parked in the driveway I looked underneith and the skids were packed solid so I put it in the garage so it would melt off.

Then I went down there with the snoblower to clean it out and it was all ice under the snow.

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05 BLACK KJ - 42RLE & NP242
Skids, Hooks, Bent Rock Rail, Lifted, A/T's, etc.
NY and PA and Florida ONF Special Custom Organic Trail Rash

Of course 4x4 engine braking only makes a different when conditions allow it. As long as your rear tires have traction, it doesn't make a difference.

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Have fun out there.

2003 Cactus Green Renegade w/ NP231 & NV3550
Al's 4th Gen UCAs
Custom 3.5" Lift
Rear DTT
Spidertraxed 245/75/16 Maxxis Bighorns

Thanks for all the answers. I'll probably go again next weekend.

I was surprised to see a Volvo XC70 having a terrible time on the snowy highway on the flat section. They had to pull over to let people around, and you could see the vehicle struggling to get any traction.

I thought Volvo's were supposed to be great in snow.

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2007 Jeep Liberty Sport
Not Just Red..............Inferno Red !
Automatic, 4WD
Mopar Skids, Tow Hooks

Those Volvo's are just like the Subaru you wanted in the snow,just think about that.

Also just remember that momentum is your friend in snow and mud,nothing crazy but keep your speed up a little,once your tires loose traction and you stop,put it into reverse and try to back up or your most likely stuck.At least snow is easy to unstuck yourself,just need a shovel or some good friends while you sip coffee in the heated interior .

Johnny Cash,

did you happen to eat paint chips when you were younger?

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2003 Liberty Freedom Edition
1988 Suzuki Samurai

That's so wrong but so funny too !

Does eating paint chips cause people to neurotically start new topics?

I know. I ask some really idiotic questions, and I am neurotic.

I used to fish a lot when I was a kid, and I chewed on the lead weights quite a bit.

I blame it on that.

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2007 Jeep Liberty Sport
Not Just Red..............Inferno Red !
Automatic, 4WD
Mopar Skids, Tow Hooks

One of the things I have noticed over the years is that some people get really confused. 4 Wheel Drive Does Not Mean 4 Wheel Stop Every time it snows I see some yahoo who has his brand new 4 wheel drive lifted truck Jeep or what ever and ends up in an accident because they think 4 wheel drive says, go as fast as you want drive the way you do on dry pavement after all it's 4 wheel drive. Tragically people who know how to drive get hurt by these Darwin Award Nominees

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LEAD FOLLOW OR GET OUT OF THE WAY
2002 Sport 4x4 3.7 L w/auto
Amsoil from bumper to bumper, Amsoil Air Filter
PIAA head light bulbs, Fog Light switched out to SilverStar 9005's
MagnaFlo Muffler, New Radiator, Rebuilt A/C system,Rebuilt Rear Diff, LBJ's twice
Dunlop 245/70-16 Rover AT