Looking for Snowy Fun in Your Cherokee or Renegade? Try Sand Mode!
If you haven’t had a a chance to drive the new Jeep Renegade or Cherokee yet, you might be unaware that the vehicles have a selectable drive mode for configuring the four-wheel drive and traction control systems. This system is designed to help get the most out of your vehicle, in all conditions.
I was recently in Montreal driving each of FCA US’s all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles, including the Cherokee and Renegade. I learned something interesting for those who like to have fun in the snow.
The “Snow” mode is designed to provide the most traction in snowy conditions. When paired with a proper set of winter rubber, like the Bridgestone Blizzaks that were on these cars, the Cherokee and Renegade are virtually unstoppable in the snow. Even with the traction control off, the Cherokee I intentionally tried to hoon just gripped instead.
The folks at Jeep had a suggestion for me: if I wanted to slide around and have some fun on their closed course, try Sand mode.
Switching the on-board computer to expect sand makes the Jeep much more lively in the snow. It cuts way back on the traction and stability control and optimizes the ABS intervention. On sand, it’s important. But on snow, it lets you have a serious amount of sliding fun!
Both the Cherokee and Renegade can be really fun, even if they have computers controlling a lot of what’s going on. With a simple hack like this, you can have even more fun! Obviously, only do this off-road or in a closed environment, and not on the road with other people.
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photos [FCA]
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