From the Forums: Do You Drive Your Jaguar in the Snow?

By Sherry Bryan - February 3, 2020

It is wiser to keep your Jaguar indoors until the mercury rises? Or can your ride handle all seasons? Our forum members have some thoughts.

Whenever you own a car like a Jaguar, you want to make sure it stays riding and looking–well–like a Jag should. Jaguar owners do everything to ensure their vehicle continues to drive like silk. Which can often be drag, especially if the elements keep you from behind the wheel.

We came across a thread recently in Jaguar Forums about driving in the winter weather. IN the XK/XKR section, there was a thread asking if anyone was braving the powder in their Jag XK or XKR. Our community was happy to chime in.

Member Horsen kicked it off by explaining his predicament.

It warmed up a little in Chicago this past weekend and took the XKR for a drive around the block. We had enough rain to clear the salt off the streets, but the roads were wet (and cold) and slightly slushy. Between the rear wheel drive, the Yokohama Advan Sport All-Seasons, and the wet/slushy/icy roads, holy cow the car was quite the handful. Fun for a drive around the block but not something I would want to commute in.

When I bought the XKR I went with the coupe instead of a convertible because I had visions of swapping on a set of snow tires and driving after the plows had cleared the roads. Here in Chicago the roads are usually cleared shoulder-to-shoulder and adequately salted to keep the ice off. Time got away from me and I never got the chance to find wheels and snow tires for the XKR so it’s been spending the winter in the garage.

Is anyone driving their XK/XKR in snow? What has your experience been? After this weekend I’m leaning towards cancelling my plans to get snow tires and just let it rest in the garage until Spring.

JagRag came in hot; posting a picture of his 2003 Jaguar XKR ragtop in the snow.

I drive my car all year, with Conti DWS all around. Driver skill outperforms the weather conditions every time.

Everyone seems to agree that driving in inclement conditions is much easier with the right tires, and using the correct driving mode.

User Cee Jay added to the chat.

I tried Snow Mode once in some slushy rain from an unexpected storm while I was already out, and it worked surprisingly well. I even had three-season tires on at the time. While I wouldn’t WANT to drive mine in snow and cold, I wouldn’t necessarily be afraid, but all the wet goop sloshing everywhere would be my main concern.

You can see in the picture above that forum member GGG has faced down Mother Nature with his 2014 XK 5.0 Signature Coupe.

We don’t get particularly heavy snow in the North of England, but I’ve always used my Jaguars throughout the year. I cleared the snow off the XK and took it out this day last year.

And he also showed an earlier XK8. Ready to hit the road.

Snow cleared off ready for the 700 mile drive from Durham to the Loire Valley in France.

The thread gives excellent advice and feedback on tires, as well as driving tips. Try to take the clearest and easiest roads. Know your car and its limits. And if you’re not experienced in the snow, slush, and ice; don’t risk it.

We do think Cee Jay had one of the best takes: “I drive in the snow, cold, and muck…I just use my F-150 to do it.”

Or, if you’re on the daring side and looking for a little inspiration, check out this video of an XK tearing it up.