OEM Goodyear Wrangler Tires performance - first time in the snow

[RichD]

We got 5” of snow last night. Western Washington has the wet, heavy, cement like snow so I was interested to see how the OEM Wranglers that come with the FX4 package would do.
They did fine-ish. Seemed like the Toyo Open Country 2’s I had on my Jeep were a little better overall.
Checked out the “slippery” setting in 4h too. Seemed to work well. Braking-ABS also functioned as it should. Musology mud flaps also worked well.
So far, so good.

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[Fix4Dirt]

The goodyear tread looks to me like wheelbarrow tire hahaha. But all jokes aside about it, glad it works well!!

 

[Brent H]

I'm in Edmonton Canada lots of snow and Ice for 5 months, simple trick is to reduce air pressure in your Wranglers from 44 psi to 30 psi better ride and more traction in snow and Ice.

 

[CACTUSGREYFX4]

I'm in Edmonton Canada lots of snow and Ice for 5 months, simple trick is to reduce air pressure in your Wranglers from 44 psi to 30 psi better ride and more traction in snow and Ice.

My air pressure is rated at 30 psi for the Lariat FX4 are the others that high at 44psi.

 

[Massman]

This is good to know because my 04 Explorer Sport Trac came with Goodyear Wranglers and they were terrible in the snow. In the first snow storm with the Sport Trac 4x4, I almost got stuck on the way home from work. I live on a rather steep hill, but l I managed to get up it in my 74 Fire Bird and my 85 T-bird (with a running start), so I expected no problem with a 4x4. Couple of days later I bought a set of Michelin M&S all seasons and never had an issue in the snow. Picked up a second set of wheels and used the Wranglers for summer weather.

 

[Bonder]

I rate my Lariat FX4 Wranglers as low/poor in snow and ice. In 4x4 they are fine, but in 2wd it is much easier to break the back end loose then it was on my last gen Ranger Lariat.

Once you know how easy it is to break loose, adapting your driving is enough to overcome it, but I expected more, since the Duratracs I had on my old F150 were great in the snow/ice, but they were snow peak rated as well.

I too am running them at door pressure, not >40, that seems like crazy talk.

 

[RichD]

I rate my Lariat FX4 Wranglers as low/poor in snow and ice. In 4x4 they are fine, but in 2wd it is much easier to break the back end loose then it was on my last gen Ranger Lariat.

Once you know how easy it is to break loose, adapting your driving is enough to overcome it, but I expected more, since the Duratracs I had on my old F150 were great in the snow/ice, but they were snow peak rated as well.

I too am running them at door pressure, not >40, that seems like crazy talk.

If I’m driving on snow or ice, which is rare here, I’m in 4H. Luckily for us, the roads get plowed and it usually warms up in a few days. Maybe 3-4 times a year it gets that way. And yeah, no need to lower psi if I’m just careful.

 

[RangerRider]

One of the things I learned when I had my 1998 2WD F150 driving in Colorado to improve traction for the back wheels was to put 5 or 6 50lb bags of sand in the bed over the rear axle.

So now during the winter months here in SD when there is heavy snow I do the same with my 2024 Lariat with the OEM Wrangler tires.
Even in 2HD the traction is significantly better.

 

[VehicleNanny]

I'm in Edmonton Canada lots of snow and Ice for 5 months, simple trick is to reduce air pressure in your Wranglers from 44 psi to 30 psi better ride and more traction in snow and Ice.

Which trim recommends 44 psi? My XLT (non FX4) recommends 38 psi front and rear. Unloaded, that feels high to me. I'll run 32 psi for the right balance of ride and handling.

 

[RichD]

One of the things I learned when I had my 1998 2WD F150 driving in Colorado to improve traction for the back wheels was to put 5 or 6 50lb bags of sand in the bed over the rear axle.

So now during the winter months here in SD when there is heavy snow I do the same with my 2024 Lariat with the OEM Wrangler tires.
Even in 2HD the traction is significantly better.

Definitely would do that if we had long term icy conditions. Sandbags over each tire in the bed usually do the trick

 

[TractorFixer]

We got 5” of snow last night. Western Washington has the wet, heavy, cement like snow so I was interested to see how the OEM Wranglers that come with the FX4 package would do.
They did fine-ish. Seemed like the Toyo Open Country 2’s I had on my Jeep were a little better overall.
Checked out the “slippery” setting in 4h too. Seemed to work well. Braking-ABS also functioned as it should. Musology mud flaps also worked well.
So far, so good.

I agree with your assessment. Have the same Goodyear tires on my FX4 and snow performance has exceeded my expectations. Not as good as a 3-peak rated AT or snow tire, but does decent for what it is. Certainly better than the Goodyear tires that came in my F150, which were worthless on anything but dry pavement.

 

[Truckin]

Just for a reference I went from oem goodyear to Falcon ATW4s and falcons were worse wet and cold. Miss the look and went with Michelin defender and they are better all around. Went through 4” snow in 2wd and next morning plowed but slush and ice and still awesome

 

[RichD]

Just for a reference I went from oem goodyear to Falcon ATW4s and falcons were worse wet and cold. Miss the look and went with Michelin defender and they are better all around. Went through 4” snow in 2wd and next morning plowed but slush and ice and still awesome

It's tough to beat any Michelin tire in all around street performance.

 

[RangerRider]

It's tough to beat any Michelin tire in all around street performance.

Agreed.

Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2 was all I ran on my 1998 F150 & 2004 Explorer when living in Colorado.
The Ranger will get the same treatment when the oem Goodyears wear out.

 

[mrmike7189]

Which trim recommends 44 psi? My XLT (non FX4) recommends 38 psi front and rear. Unloaded, that feels high to me. I'll run 32 psi for the right balance of ride and handling.

My XL/STX Ranger also recommends 38PSI.

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