I vividly remember how I was proudly thinking of my Jeep’s extra off-road capabilities when Hurricane Irene was rolling into the town and the people were preparing for some rather potential damage. We weren’t hit hard though, and it missed us, though it had flooded some parts of New York, while we in Montréal only got some fallen trees and some electrical disturbances. And now, in the middle of November, though the days are still warm, I see the folks changing to winter tires and preparing for the challenges of the northern winter.
I think though in the big cities one would do fine; the municipal services do a fine job clearing up the streets, but what, if you are on of those like me, who don’t feel that the winter is the time to settle to sitting cozy inside at the fireplace, but instead want to enjoy all the advantages that the winter has to offer, going to the mountains, cross-country skiing, fishing in some desert scenic places… I thought I’d share with you some of the very hip accessories that you can use on your Jeep for extreme winter fun.
* One of the very cool features to install on your Jeep is a self-lowering snow plow. This way you can clear your and your neighbour’s 
driveways and make a little extra cash, as many places pay for the cleaning of the parking lots and their subdivisions. Now I’ve heard some negative comments from some people, who thought Jeeps were too light for this kind of job, or that they some folks had to do a major over-haul of the front suspension, due to the use of the snow plow. My experience and that of the people I know, tells a different story. Jeeps manoeuvrability is unparalleled for this kind of job and as long as you avoid hitting hard the frozen snow banks, you will not bend or break anything. I actually know people who have a total of 26,000 documented plow miles.
* Chains. This is for the really hardcore weather conditions, where you have to encounter lots of ice on the road. Most of the time your 4WD equipped with winter tires will do fine in most conditions, but if you are in the mountain area or if an ice storm is coming your way, the chains may be the only thing keeping you off the cliff or from getting stuck in the snow. Available from a variety of stores, as well as online, just remember to not go faster than 45 km an hour and to engage the low-range in the transmission.
* Grille covers are a must in the really cold areas. The serve well preventing the cold
air from putting the big freeze on your engine and trapping the warm air and heat under the hood. They will also facilitate the faster start up of the engine after being left in the cold for awhile. Nor will you have to sit freezing inside, waiting for the temperature to go up to turn on the heater.
* And the last, but not the least accessory in the list is a set of windshield covers. Don’t know why is it that not everyone is using them nowadays, when it is such a basic idea to keep yourself from the exercise of scrapping off ice and snow of the windshield.
Well this seems to be all with the most fashionable ideas to upgrade to a new set of winter accessories for your Jeep. Will see you at the other end of the winter!
