Piston Slap: Faith in the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake?

Greg writes:

Good day Sajeev,

I recently signed a three-year lease on a Grand Cherokee Upland. The Upland is an appearance group that includes tow hooks, blacked-out trim and great big (20”) wheels wrapped in some fairly aggressive all-terrain tires (Goodyear Wrangler All Terrain Adventure). Boy, does FCA love “appearance groups.”

I live in the great white snow belt of Western New York where we get around 100 inches of snow per year. On my last two vehicles (Ram 1500 and Toyota 4Runner), I used winter tires for about 4 months of the year and was very happy with them.

I have the opportunity to purchase winter tires on steel wheels for this Jeep at a steep discount from a coworker. My question is, do I need them or should I rely on the A/T’s that are on the Jeep already? The stock tires are well-reviewed for winter use but I’ve heard horror story about low profile tires and big rims in the snow.

What’s your take?

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  • FreedMike Sounds like an excellent way to waste a ton of money.
  • Theflyersfan 175K what...miles? Kilometers? Yards? Is this the one Land Rover in the universe that made it over 100,000 under its own power? I'd be too afraid to drive it daily. Just waiting for the first dash light - it always starts with just one - before the Christmas tree lights up, something sputters or stumbles, and then you're on the side of the road, miles from nowhere, with the toxic smell of frying electronics spewing from each vent. If you and your loved ones are into unplanned surprises and pain, go for it. If a beach vacation in Somalia mixed in with some overland trekking in Chechnya is your idea of best vacation ever, we have a vehicle for you. If you think your local Land Rover dealer has the best coffee in town, and you don't mind hours of HGTV on their waiting room TV, go for it. Just update your Facebook page regularly as the rest of us want to read the carnage.
  • Ajla While this won't be a GX460, it probably isn't any worse a purchase than a Lincoln or Cadillac.
  • 1sowa Its clearly the "Honda Anyone"
  • Oberkanone Nope. Never. Run away. Unreliable money pit.