Finally some snow time with my Badlands and I can finally answer for myself, is it any good in the snow?

[mrs mighty]

And for myself I can say it is.

I have a '22 Badlands that ordered in November 21 and received it in March 22. At the time I was living in San Diego and almost immediately put it through its paces throughout California, Colorado, Montana etc. While there I used it in typical traffic and did one really memorable day on the trails....pinstripe heaven....car still has the scars. So I got time driving it up mountain passes, at highway speeds and on trails but I never got a chance to drive it in the snow and that changed when I moved back to Colorado. Since then I've driven it through different parts of the state going fishing and other things and recently, with this last batch of snow, really got some time driving it in those conditions and I can finally answer, if someone asked anyway, is this a good snow car?

I can say it is., but.... The Pirelli Scorpion ATRs do surprisingly well off road but in the snow they pack up far too easily in the snow. With that bit of info out the way the car is otherwise great in these conditions. The AWD kicks in fairly quickly but the thing that inspired me to write this post is my appreciation for the e-lockers. I have a BroncoSport Badlands which comes equipped with an electronically engaged center differential lock and has an e-dif rear lock available. When I'm driving in the snow or dirt I always have the center dif lock engaged. It sends partial power to the rear wheels and is a big help. Today driving in the snow I was using the rear locker as well and that made a difference.

If you own a Badlands and drive in the snow, I'd rec keeping these on. With these on the car has power at the rear wheels and doesn't have to wait for the AWD system to kick power back. It doesn't sound like much of a difference but at slow speeds it mimics a 4Hi and is very helpful to get going and helps handling at lower speeds. And the other nice thing is the car will automatically disengage the rear locker if you go over 15mph and reengage it when you're under that speed. So if you're driving you can keep it on, it'll help during slow speeds, disengage and re-engage if you've come to a stop. Really a nice feature.

At higher speeds this is where I've found the Pirelli's to be annoying. I know I need to switch out the tires but I just don't have the cash right now. The with the ATRs the car simply wants to push in every corner and the car drifts. It seems the Scorpions simply don't have deep enough groves and pack up quite easily.

Another thing I've noticed is the car does feel distinctly like a FWD drive car....because it is....but with the two lockers engaged it feels more like 4Hi which really is a nice feature and something I think people should use if they have it available.

So it is a good car and for a variety of reasons. The AWD system works pretty seamlessly and with the additional aids this thing can plow through the snow. The thing I have the most confidence with in this car is that it will find traction if its there. You don't have to worry about brake vectoring so much and waiting for the car to figure it out, there will be power sent to the wheels, you just need to find the traction, the car is working hard for you.

All in all it does very well. Very happy with it. And if you can tell from the write up I don't think the additional hardware on the Badlands is inconsequential, I find it quite helpful and is something to consider if you're looking at the different models.

Ooohhh Wheee! Thank you for this article. It’s a great read for a Newbie like me. I’m reading all that I can to truly understand my Badlands and how to use it. Thanks again ??

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[AmazingSieve]

Ooohhh Wheee! Thank you for this article. It’s a great read for a Newbie like me. I’m reading all that I can to truly understand my Badlands and how to use it. Thanks again ??

Yea I tend to be a big long winded. The TL;DR is I like the 4x4 mode and rear locker in the snow and slippery conditions, makes it feel more like a 4Hi car which is nice. Also not a fan of the stock tires.

Slippery mode is helpful as it lowers the shift points too which can be helpful in low traction conditions.

 

[Davenorton]

Just got about an inch of snow here. 23 Badlands with Wildpeak AT3's with about 5500 miles on the odometer. I put it in "slippery" goat mode and seemed to do well on side streets and the highway. Was thinking about using the lock buttons. Just to confirm - the "center" lock is the 4wd lock?

Also, has anyone experienced premature tire wear with the Wildpeaks? I keep reading about OEM tires on these cars being shot at 20k - or is that just with the Pirellis?

My OEM Pirellis kicked at around 22K. Went with Wildpeaks..in love!

 

[Devil6]

The Pirelli’s are pretty bad in the snow and crap on ice.

 

[AmazingSieve]

The Pirelli’s are pretty bad in the snow and crap on ice.

You should've seen me try to navigate an icy double roundabout....car just wanted to go straight, pain in the ass. I may just suck it up and get the dam tires. If we get another snow....well we will....but if I see another winter storm coming I'm going to do it and get it over with.

My car is at 21.5K miles so its due anyway.

 

[Devil6]

You should've seen me try to navigate an icy double roundabout....car just wanted to go straight, pain in the ass. I may just suck it up and get the dam tires. If we get another snow....well we will....but if I see another winter storm coming I'm going to do it and get it over with.

My car is at 21.5K miles so its due anyway.

Agreed, I’ll have snow/ ice tires for next winter.

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