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Winter months will wear down your Jeep vehicle if you're not prepared. Winterizing your Jeep will help it perform better in the snow and keep you safe. What’s more, winterizing will protect components on your Jeep and prevent unnecessary damage.
While it's tricky to know what you need to winterize a Jeep, JEGS has your back. You'll find premium accessories like lights, snow tires, tools, and safety gear to keep inside the cabin.
Why Winterize Your Jeep?
Jeeps perform well in the winter. Once a Jeep enters four-wheel drive, snow becomes less of an obstacle and the risk of slipping drops. While Jeeps perform well in the winter from the factory, that doesn't mean they can't be even better.
Winterizing your Jeep will help you take it to the next level. Adding accessories like new Jeep lights will help you see in stormy conditions and adding a plow to the front can help you make some extra money. Upgraded wheels and adding winter fluids will also help.
Ultimately, winterizing your Jeep will keep you safe, enhance your vehicle's appearance, and more.
Steps for Tackling Winter in a Jeep
Tackling the winter in a Jeep is easy when you know where to start. Instead of choosing random parts to upgrade, it's best to winterize your vehicle step-by-step. Having a plan and clear steps to follow will prevent you from forgetting important accessories or information.
1. Upgrade Your Tires
Upgrading your tires is the fastest way to notice an improvement in the winter. Tires connect with the pavement to provide traction, which is essential for safe driving. Unfortunately, snow and ice make it hard for tires to grip the road and with the wrong tires, you'll slide around. While most Jeeps come with all-season tires, some Jeeps may have highway (H/T) tires. In the winter, these need to be upgraded.
The best Jeep snow tires are all-terrain (A/T) tires. A/T tires are the best tires for Jeeps in the winter because they're suitable for use in the snow and on dry pavement. Many all-season tires come with advanced features like silica tread compounds that enhance performance in wet conditions. All-season tires also don't compromise performance on pavement, so you can use them all year round.
Mud-terrain (M/T) tires are also great snow tires. Plus, in most cases, an M/T tire will outperform an A/T tire in the snow. While M/T tires perform well in the snow they're not good on pavement. Therefore, it's only a good idea to use M/T tires on Jeeps that will be used for plowing or off-roading.
All-terrain and mud-terrain tires both have an aggressive style, with M/T tires being the more aggressive of the two.
2. Check Fluids
Checking the fluids is an essential part of winterizing a Jeep. While there are tons of fluids to check the most important ones for the winter are windshield washer fluid, antifreeze, and oil.
Changing Your Oil
In the winter months, temperatures will frequently go below freezing. In some places, temperatures will even go below zero. In these cases, it's important to have the right oil for optimal engine performance. The best oil for your Jeep in the winter is less viscous oil. It's also a good idea to change your oil before the winter months.
Checking Your Antifreeze
Antifreeze, or engine coolant, is another fluid you need to check during the winter months. In fact, antifreeze is one of the most important fluids to check because it prevents your engine from breaking down in extreme conditions. In the summer, coolant cools the engine and during the winter antifreeze prevents the engine from freezing. It's always smart to check the coolant before the winter and before the summer.
Top-Off Windshield Washer Fluid
Windshield washer fluid helps you see out of your windshield, which is helpful when you're driving. Without windshield washer fluid, dirt and debris will gather on the windshield and obstruct your vision. In the winter, it's best to top off your washer fluid with a wintery mix. Winterized washer fluid makes it easy to remove thin layers of ice and snow from your windshield.
3. Snow Accessories to Keep On Hand
Snow accessories that you keep in the trunk or cabin are also important. Many tools will help you dig out your Jeep and others will keep you safe in the event of an emergency. Important accessories to keep in your Jeep include a first aid kit, a shovel, an ice scraper, and a winch.
Winches
One of the most important accessories to keep on hand is a winch. Most winches mount to the front bumper of a Jeep. Winches will pull your Jeep through thick mud, snow, and even ice. Having a winch will help you get your Jeep out of a ditch and you can even use a winch to rescue other vehicles.
Snow Shovel, Snow Brush, and Ice Scraper
Snow shovels, snow brushes, and ice scrapers should be in your Jeep's cabin at all times during the winter. These tools will help you remove snow that's surrounding the tires and clear off the windshield. There are even snow shovels and ice scraper multi-tools, so you don't have to keep two separate tools. Snow brushes are also useful for removing snow from side mirrors.
Floor Mats
Floor mats are great for the winter. They're effective at preventing salt, snow, and other debris from damaging your Jeep's floor. Floor mats for the winter have thick rubber and grooves that prevent water from escaping. So, even melted snow won't make your carpets damp.
Emergency Supplies
When you're driving in the snow it's important to prepare for the worst. Getting stuck in the snow is dangerous, especially if you don't have any supplies. In the winter, a good emergency supply kit includes the following:
- Gloves
- Boots
- First aid kit
- Flashlight
- Water
- Sand, gravel, or cat litter
- Extra clothing
Having these supplies can be the difference between comfort and hypothermia.
4. Insulated Hard Tops
Insulated hard tops on Jeeps will change the way you view a hard top. Many people mention a draft or poor temperature conditions in the cabin of Jeep Wranglers with hard or soft tops. That said, the cabin doesn't have to be uncomfortable with an Insulated hard top.
The insulation makes the cabin more comfortable in the winter because it keeps heat in the Jeep. Plus, it prevents cold air from penetrating the hard top. Insulated hard tops are also great during the summer months. With the air conditioning on the hard top keeps cold air in and the hot air out.
Insulated hard tops are also simple components to install. Simply replace your standard hard top with an upgraded Insulated hard top. It goes in the same spots (depending on your model) and snaps right into place.
