im just wondering how necessary it is that i warm up my jeep and what exactly it does?

 

I let mine warm up for a minute maybe two now that it's getting colder. Milage, power and emissions are worse when the engine is cold but I mostly worry about the oil being thicker (and more internal wear - my engine is getting up there) so I give it just a bit to get moving. Then I drive but take it easy until the engine temp is up at which point I figure the tranny is probably warmed up too. Some people let it idle till hot but that arguably isn't good for the engine and does nothing to warm up the tranny, bearings etc. Thus driving carefully until i feel the jeep is ready to go. So I would say it's only as necessary as you want it to be. But I feel that taking it easy on it during the winter months is better for jeep overall.

 

The best thing to do is just set off gently and don't boot it until it has warmed up. Idling with cold thick oil means bad circulation to the top of the engine.

 

^x2
your engine will warm up quicker and easier as you drive.

with that said, i do let mine warm up until i can see out the windshield after i scrape all the ice and snow off.

 

This raises another question which I am sure was covered before. Who has remote starters in their car? I have a 2000 with just two keys, no key fob or anything. Power everything except seats. How difficult would it be to install a remote starter?

 

You could get an aftermarket remote start module... but that would require splicing into your ignition wiring harness, something that usually spells trouble unless done by someone who really takes the care to ensure there's as little chance of a wire coming loose as possible.

Remote start is handy... but really, just do what I do. Go out, start the thing up, then scrape your snow/ice off the windows, get in, turn on your radio and jam out for a minute or two, then be on your way.

 

Something to think about...when your engine is completely cold, say after a night in single degree temps, your pistons will contract slightly. This can cause damage to the cylinder walls if you're hot-rodding it from the get go. So, by letting it warm up the pistons can expand. Not letting it warm up can also lead to spun bearings. I usually let it idle while I scrape off the windows/find the music I wanna listen to /about 5 minutes and take it real easy until it has reached running temp.

 

If your Jeep doesnt have anti-theft your remote starter will be easy to install with no bi-pass(cheaper to). It will unlock/lock your doors also. Very easy to install and you can get instructions online on what color wire you need to tap into at your ing. harness. Its literally like 8 wires.

 

I let mine warm up for about 5 minutes. I mainly do it so its nice and toasty when i get in.

 

I take it you guys are all EFI. Too bad they don't make a remote starter that'll pump the gas twice and feather the throttle on those cold days.

 

The only reason I would warm up the Jeep is for the heater to warm up the inside. Why is it that when it's 29 degrees outside, it feels like it' -29 degrees in the Jeep?

 

I let her run a out 5 minutes too just to wake her up before easing off till Shes at running temp

 

the colder it gets the longer you should sit. at home in MO once it starts staying in the teens and below 10 min at least, that also makes sure my anti freeze didn't gel in the thermostat housing or the thermostat isn't locked up.