Thanks for all the replies. I wasn't aware anyone wrote back because I never seem to get notifications from here. Glad I came back and looked. I'm going to keep this page open to ensure I see replies. Sorry for that. I'll try and hit all the topics.
TLDR: Pretty sure it's the tires. I'm just shocked because I've had more well-worn tires than these get up the driveway with zero issue in other AWD/4WD vehicles. I'm guessing it's 90% tire and maybe 10% how Jeep built their traction control logic. For instance, there seems to be zero way to 100% turn off traction control. If I can turn off traction control on a vehicle, I'm almost guaranteed to get out of the driveway in any weather (outsize of deep snow, for which I can only get my F-350 on 37s out reliably) as long as it's an AWD/4WD vehicle.... regardless of tires. I guess I just didn't expect a "Jeep" with this level of technology to thwart my escape.
Tires: Yes, I'm a huge fan of winter tires and almost always buy studded winters for all my vehicles (even the 2WD ones). I have built a huge loft in my garage to store each set in the off months and will often seek out tires before the season hits (though rarely end up getting tires until the first snow). The issue with ours is that we got it with the 21" wheels, which I regret. Not only am I not a fan of the way they look, but the choices for winter tires is nearly nil (and absolutely nothing studdable). I'll answer some of the other questions, but long story short, I'm getting new wheels where I have some choice in the matter. I was originally looking at 18" with a fatter tire, but will probably go with 20s, as they keep the overall look of the vehicle (a summit reserve wouldn't look great with beefy tires, imho) and still have quite a choice of winter tires.
@
MTMark: Your comments on the traction control are spot on. Seizure is the correct word, absolutely. Your approach (constant, steady pedal pressure) typically works, but didn't in this case. I was literally just sliding back down the hill. What was craziest is that I couldn't even make it to the halfway point, which I can do in most of my 2WD drive vehicles (which obviously have better tires).
@Sarge: I would typically agree with your logic, however last winter, the Jeep (and the tires) was pretty much brand new. I'm really thinking it's the tires, as 1) they look like shit, 2) everyone here says they are shit, and 3) the dealer (I pulled the damn thing out with my F-350) said everything checked out fine.
The one weird thing I keep coming back to is, I was pretty much going straight up and down the driveway and didn't have to turn the wheels much. After pulling it out and making a few turns of the wheels (enough to hit the stops), my gf said there was a rather loud "CLUNK" that she couldn't replicate. I'm wondering if something was stuck/frozen, as that was also the storm that brought those nasty -20F temperatures for us. Knowing how a transfer case and differentials work, I can't imagine that being the case... but then again, I don't really understand how these "always available" 4WD systems work, ie: the mechanism in which is switches from 2WD to 4WD. I've heard it's a motor of some sort, but just haven't taken the time to get underneath and figure out how it all works. That stupid plastic covering everything is definitely a deterrent. I know the 4WD system of my F-350 inside and out, but the Jeep is a black box to me.
More Sarge replies:
It could be a few things:
1. You had a very icy surface under the snow if the storm came in warm/wet and went out cold. If the incline is steep enough, you'd need proper snow tires (Nokian Hakkas/Blizzaks/Michelin X-ice), or even aggressively studded tires, depending on the circumstances.
2. Your transfer case isn't working right, and the fronts aren't getting enough power, if any.
3. SNOW mode is useless for traction in the snow. It's designed for stability, and as such it won't engage the eLSD if you have that, and will allow a lot more wheel spin even with the brake-based system. You want to be in SAND/MUD mode, or ROCK mode. But, if your transfer case isn't doing its job, the modes are largely irrelevant.
I'd have someone watch you try to go up the driveway and see if they can see any front wheel spin on either side. If not, the transfer case is the problem, I would guess.
1) We did have an icy surface. Again, as long as I have 4WD/AWD and "decent" tires, it's never been an issue... even on ice. My F-350 has 5yr old Ridge Grapplers on it and blasts up the driveway in 4WD like it's dry pavement. I know they are better in snow than the stock WL tires, but seriously... right up the driveway as if it hadn't even snowed, even when pulling our 2021 WL out the other day (the only way we were going to get out). Other than that, I usually use studded tires, simply for the better stopping and unpredictable road conditions we see out here. I just haven't been able to find a set of studded winter tires in or around the 275/45R21 size.
2) That's what I was thinking, but the dealer said everything checked out. There was also zero noise (outside of traction control during slippage) from the transfer case and no CELs or anything on the dash.
3) Agreed, and on a side note, we don't have the eLSD (the only delete from the factory). Not even sure what it does, outside of raising the vehicle a bit.
4) I wanted to do that, but I was always alone when trying to get out. I probably should've hung my head out the window, but hearing the front traction control click told me it was working (or at least trying to work). Honestly, I was thinking it was a traction control programing issue. The dealer did a bunch of software updates, including the steering one (recall or TSB associated?). The driveway is pretty much clear now, so we'll know if those helped next snow. Though we'll probably have new wheels/tires by then.
For fun, here are some pics of the driveway (clickable). The first is overhead, the 2nd is right after it was repaved in 2019.
