South Africa gets snow every winter. Not London-style slush or Canadian blizzards — but enough on the Drakensberg passes, Sani Pass, the Matroosberg, and the Lesotho highlands to require genuine technique and respect. The Pajero, with Super Select II and the right tyre choice, handles SA winter conditions better than almost any other production vehicle in its price bracket. This guide covers how to use it correctly.
Where SA Pajero Owners Encounter Snow
- Sani Pass (KwaZulu-Natal / Lesotho border): The most common SA snow driving experience. The pass reaches 2,874 m and is frequently snow-covered and icy in June, July, and August. The SA side is steep loose gravel; the Lesotho side is a rocky mountain track. Both demand genuine 4WD competence.
- Matroosberg Private Nature Reserve (Western Cape): The most reliable snowfall location in South Africa. The reserve road to the summit requires low-range 4WD in winter conditions.
- Naude’s Nek Pass (Eastern Cape): The highest vehicle pass in South Africa at 2,578 m. Snow falls regularly in winter. A remote, exposed route that demands self-sufficiency.
- Lesotho highlands (Mokhotlong, Sani Top, Oxbow): Sustained winter road snow and ice across the highland plateau. The Pajero is one of the favoured vehicles for Lesotho winter travel precisely because of Super Select II’s capability in these conditions.
- Mpumalanga and Limpopo highlands: Light frost and occasional snow at altitude. Less severe than the above but requires awareness.
Super Select Mode Selection for Snow and Ice
| Condition | Mode | Terrain Selector | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost on tar — Drakensberg passes before dawn | 4H | Off or Gravel | Open centre diff in 4H is safe on light frost. Gravel terrain mode recalibrates ABS for slippery surfaces. |
| Wet snow on tar — Sani Pass SA side approach | 4HLc | Mud/Snow | Lock the centre diff. Mud/Snow terrain mode adjusts ABS for snow-on-tar braking. Drive smoothly — no sudden inputs. |
| Packed snow — Lesotho plateau roads | 4HLc | Mud/Snow | Same as above. Maintain momentum on uphills. Choose tyre ruts from previous vehicles where visible. |
| Deep fresh snow — off-road tracks | 4LLc | Mud/Snow | Low range for maximum torque at crawling speed. Maintain steady throttle — avoid wheelspin. |
| Icy descents — Sani Pass Lesotho side | 4LLc | Off or Mud/Snow | Engine braking in low range controls descent speed. Apply brakes gently and in a straight line. Hill Descent Control (Gen 4) assists significantly. |
| Snow recovery | 4LLc | Mud/Snow | Same as deep sand recovery — steady throttle, controlled wheelspin to keep momentum. MaxTrax work in snow as well as sand. |
Tyre Preparation for SA Winter Driving
All-terrain tyres are significantly better than highway-terrain tyres in SA snow conditions. The tread depth, compound, and siping on a quality AT tyre provide meaningfully more grip on packed and fresh snow than the shallow, harder highway compound. You do not need dedicated winter tyres for South African conditions — quality AT tyres handle everything the Drakensberg and Lesotho throw at a Pajero.
Tyre pressure in snow: reduce pressure slightly below your normal off-road setting to increase the contact patch — 1.8 to 2.0 bar for snow and ice is a reasonable starting point for a Pajero on 265/65R17 all-terrains. Do not go as low as sand pressures — the reduction in sidewall rigidity on ice increases slip. Reinflate immediately on returning to sealed roads.
Practical Tips for SA Snow Conditions
- Check conditions before departure. SANRAL road condition updates, the Sani Pass Facebook group, and the SA 4×4 communities on Facebook are the best real-time sources. A pass that is closed or impassable without chains is not a judgment call — it is a closed pass.
- Carry chains. For sustained Lesotho highland travel in winter, snow chains are the correct tool for extreme icy conditions that exceed even AT tyre capability. A set of correctly fitted chains gives the Pajero capability in conditions where no tyre choice alone is sufficient.
- Start engines ten minutes before departure in extreme cold. The 3.2 DI-D starts and runs cold, but ten minutes of gentle warm-up at low load before a demanding descent is sensible. Do not rev cold on glow plug warm-up.
- Maintain a recovery kit. MaxTrax in snow work exactly as in sand — place them under the drive wheels for traction. Kinetic rope and shackles remain the recovery staple regardless of surface.
- Travel in convoy where possible. Sani Pass and the Lesotho highlands are remote. A second vehicle changes the risk profile of a breakdown or recovery situation significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What 4WD mode should I use in snow with a Pajero?
For light frost or wet snow on tarmac, 4HLc with the Mud/Snow terrain selector is the standard setting. The locked centre differential provides maximum traction and the terrain mode recalibrates the ABS for better snow braking. For deep snow or icy descents in off-road conditions, use 4LLc. On lightly frosted but otherwise normal tarmac, 4H with the Gravel or Mud/Snow terrain mode is sufficient.
Can a Pajero drive up Sani Pass in snow?
Yes. The Pajero is one of the most capable production vehicles for Sani Pass in winter conditions. With Super Select II in 4HLc or 4LLc depending on conditions, quality all-terrain tyres, and correct driving technique, the Pajero handles Sani Pass in snow confidently. Always check current conditions before attempting — the pass is sometimes closed after heavy snowfall when the track becomes impassable for any vehicle.
Do I need snow tyres for South African winter driving?
No. Dedicated winter tyres are not required or practical for South African conditions. Quality all-terrain tyres — BF Goodrich KO2, Maxxis Razr AT, or equivalent — handle everything the Drakensberg and Lesotho highlands produce in winter. Snow chains are the appropriate tool for extreme icy conditions in sustained Lesotho highland travel.
Related: Super Select 4WD Explained · Accessories Guide · Tyre Guide · Gen 4 Buyer’s Guide