Select Inventory Bonus Cash Up To $1,500 On select in-stock vehicles. Now through November 2. View Red Tag Vehicles › Every Jeep we sell can handle a Detroit winter, but they don't all do it the same way. Some systems run on their own and never need a button. Others are part-time systems you switch on for snow and switch off when the pavement is clear. Picking the wrong one for how you drive is the most common mistake we see, so here is the plain-English version.
The short answer
If your winter is mostly plowed roads with slush, salt and the occasional unplowed side street, choose a system that works automatically: Active Drive on the Cherokee and Compass, or Quadra-Trac on the Grand Cherokee. If you want a Wrangler or Gladiator, know that the standard system is part-time, which is excellent in deep snow but has to go back to two-wheel drive on dry pavement. Whatever you drive, tires do more for stopping than any 4x4 system.
Every current Jeep 4x4 system, compared
| System | Where you'll find it | How it works | On dry pavement | Low range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Active Drive I | Every 2026 Jeep Cherokee | Automatic. Drives mostly through the front wheels and engages the rear axle when it detects slip. Snow mode included. | Leave it on | No |
| Jeep Active Drive | Jeep Compass 4x4 | Automatic. Sends power to the rear wheels as traction changes, no driver input. | Leave it on | No |
| Quadra-Trac I® | Grand Cherokee 4x4, entry trims | Full-time 4x4 with a single-speed transfer case. Always working. | Leave it on | No |
| Quadra-Trac II® | Grand Cherokee, upper trims plus 2027 Trailhawk and Overland | Full-time active 4x4 with a two-speed transfer case. | Leave it on | Yes |
| Quadra-Drive® II | Grand Cherokee, top trims when equipped | Quadra-Trac II plus a rear electronic limited-slip differential that moves power side to side. | Leave it on | Yes |
| Selec-Trac® | Select Wrangler trims | Part-time 4x4 with an added full-time 4H Auto mode for changing roads. | 4H Auto is fine | Yes |
| Command-Trac® | Standard on Wrangler and Gladiator | Part-time 4x4. You shift into 4H for snow and back to 2H when the road clears. | Shift to 2H | Yes |
| Rock-Trac® | Wrangler and Gladiator Rubicon | Heavy-duty part-time 4x4 with a 4:1 low range and locking differentials. | Shift to 2H | Yes, 4:1 |
Availability varies by trim, model year and options, and some Grand Cherokees are built as 4x2. Check the window sticker, or ask us to confirm the system on any vehicle by its VIN, new or used.
Why part-time 4x4 needs to come off on clear roads
Part-time systems like Command-Trac lock the front and rear axles together. On snow, that is exactly what you want. On dry pavement, the front and rear wheels need to turn at slightly different speeds in every corner, and locked axles can't do that. You'll feel the steering bind and hop in tight turns, and you're adding wear to tires and drivetrain parts. In Metro Detroit, where Jefferson can be bare and salted while your side street is still packed snow, that means shifting back and forth during the same trip. If that sounds like a chore, a full-time or automatic system is the better fit.
Which system fits your winter
Daily commute on plowed roads
I-94, Mack, Jefferson and Lakeshore, every weekday. Choose Active Drive (Cherokee, Compass) or Quadra-Trac I or II (Grand Cherokee). Set it and forget it.
Unplowed streets, alley garages and plow berms
Any Jeep 4x4 will get you out. Low range on Quadra-Trac II, Selec-Trac, Command-Trac or Rock-Trac helps at very low speed, like backing out over the ridge the plow left at the end of your driveway.
Weekend trips Up North
Two-lane roads, unplowed cottage drives and trails. Quadra-Trac II on a Grand Cherokee or Selec-Trac on a Wrangler gives you a full-time mode for the highway and low range when you need it.
How to use 4x4 in snow
- 4x4 helps you go, not stop. Every vehicle brakes with four tires. Leave extra distance no matter what system you have.
- Use Snow mode when your Jeep has one. Selec-Terrain® Snow mode softens throttle response and adjusts traction control for slick roads.
- Save 4-Low for slow work. Low range is for getting unstuck, climbing a snowy grade or pulling a boat out of a slick launch, not for driving on the road.
- Tires matter most. All-season tires stiffen in the cold. Winter tires stay pliable and grip ice and packed snow far better. Our Michigan winter prep checklist covers tires and the rest of your pre-winter service.
Shopping used or CTP?
A used Jeep's 4x4 system depends on how it was built, not just the trim name. Our team can pull the original build by VIN on any used Jeep or courtesy transportation vehicle so you know exactly what you're buying.
John Caldwell, General Sales Manager
Questions we hear at the store
What is the best Jeep for driving in Michigan snow?
For mostly plowed roads, the easiest choices are Jeeps with automatic or full-time systems: the Cherokee and Compass with Jeep Active Drive, and the Grand Cherokee with Quadra-Trac. For deep, unplowed snow, the Wrangler and Gladiator are very capable, but their standard part-time system has to be switched back to two-wheel drive on clear pavement. Good winter tires matter more than which system you choose.
Can I leave my Jeep in 4WD on the highway?
It depends on the system. Active Drive, Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II are designed to work full-time, and Selec-Trac's 4H Auto mode can stay engaged on mixed roads. Part-time Command-Trac and Rock-Trac should only be in 4H on snow, ice or loose surfaces, and returned to 2H on dry pavement.
Is the Jeep Compass good in snow?
Yes. The Compass 4x4 uses Jeep Active Drive, which automatically sends power to the rear wheels as traction changes. Pair it with winter tires for the best results on Metro Detroit roads.
Do I need winter tires if my Jeep has 4x4?
4x4 helps you accelerate and climb, but it does not help you stop or turn on ice. Winter tires stay flexible in cold weather and grip far better on ice and packed snow, so they are worth considering for any vehicle that sees Michigan winters.
What is 4-Low for?
4-Low multiplies torque at very low speed. Use it to get unstuck, climb or descend steep snowy grades, or pull a trailer up a slick ramp. It is not meant for normal road driving.
How do I know which 4x4 system a Jeep has?
Check the window sticker or owner's manual, or ask us. We can confirm the system on any new, used or courtesy transportation vehicle by its VIN.