Warming up your KJ

ChiroKJ · **Posted:** Sun Nov 16, 2008 8:17 pm

With the winter approaching I see some debated whether warming up your car before you drive it has any actual advantages other than the toasty interior when you get in. My brother-in-law, an AUDI tech thinks its crucial and it seems to me that he spends more time warming up his A4 than driving it :roll:

What do you guys think?

Guest · **Posted:** Sun Nov 16, 2008 9:23 pm

I'm not particularly worried about the engine...but i like to warm my junk up to get my transmission fluid warm before i start driving.

There is probably no method to my madness...just something I thought of. The engine can go to hell for all I care... :lol:

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sun Nov 16, 2008 9:30 pm

Drive slowly when you first start off and it'll warm up tranny and diffs - entire driveline.
Idling is only an advantage if you're go a short distance to a freeway.

Chief BK · **Posted:** Sun Nov 16, 2008 9:50 pm

I always make sure I warm things up. I just think it's less stress on the engine....

Merely my .02

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Sun Nov 16, 2008 9:58 pm

I remember reading somewhere that as long as you dont floor it or do anything like that until it warms up you are ok, but I still try to go and start my KJ about 5-10 min before I leave so the engine and interior is warm

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:31 pm

For now I let my engine warm up to ~50F and take it easy on it till it gets up to operating temps(~180+).

Letting the engine idle for extended periods isnt really good on it IMHO. Usually <1min is ok for me but like someone said, if you hope in it and merge onto an interstate immediately then letting it warm up a little longer is a good idea.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:33 pm

There are a couple things you can do.

1. Switch to Amsoil 0W-30 engine oil (2002 - 2006 KJ's) or Amsoil 0W-20 engine oil (2007 KJ - 2009 KK's)
2. Install an engine block heater
3. Install an engine coolant heater

I also installed a 110 volt battery blanket

Chief BK · **Posted:** Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:50 pm

How much did 2 heaters and a blanket set ya back?

Good options if affordable.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:57 pm

Here's the post to the Mopar battery blanket and coolant heater.

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... 630#385630

Joe Jeeper · **Posted:** Sun Nov 16, 2008 11:30 pm

I've always started mine and once the oil pressures up driven it, been doing that for 41 years. Was an active volunteer fireman for 27 yrs didn't have time to warm up before going on an alarm.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun Nov 16, 2008 11:36 pm

I have always warmed up my vehcile in the cold weather,never had any problems from idling for 10-15 mins,never used block heaters or anything else like that and growing up in SD it would get down to -35degrees actual temps in winter.Keep the correct weight of oils in it and good antifreeze and you'll be fine.

The AstroStart remote starter was one of the best mods I've done to my KJ,just press a button and 18mins later my windows are ice free(as long as I remember to leave it on defrost),man I hate scraping ice off windsheilds :evil:

.

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Sun Nov 16, 2008 11:41 pm

dieselenthusiast wrote:

There are a couple things you can do.

1. Switch to Amsoil 0W-30 engine oil (2002 - 2006 KJ's) or Amsoil 0W-20 engine oil (2007 KJ - 2009 KK's)
2. Install an engine block heater
3. Install an engine coolant heater

I also installed a 110 volt battery blanket

Is it hard to install a block heater. How does it install??

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun Nov 16, 2008 11:44 pm

jeepkj02 wrote:

dieselenthusiast wrote:

There are a couple things you can do.

1. Switch to Amsoil 0W-30 engine oil (2002 - 2006 KJ's) or Amsoil 0W-20 engine oil (2007 KJ - 2009 KK's)
2. Install an engine block heater
3. Install an engine coolant heater

I also installed a 110 volt battery blanket

Is it hard to install a block heater. How does it install??

Have fun,try locating a freeze plug in your block,not to fun of a job.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Sun Nov 16, 2008 11:55 pm

Since you are in Atlanta, you will rarely need to warm your Jeep up. Try this though.....on the coldest morning (as long as it is in the 20 degree or colder range), after you start your KJ up, immediately gun it down a street and see how it gets up and goes.....err...performs. As Nascar drivers to park their race cars or the track and let them sit until all of the sponsors are announced (which is a lot) and then do the Speedracer thing and run to your car, start it, and race...no warmup around the track.

The real question should be "How long should a vehicle be warmed up before driving." Temperatures do dictate that but what is a good baseline time?

I always wait until the temp needle moves up some (doesn't need to be much).

ChiroKJ · **Posted:** Mon Nov 17, 2008 12:04 am

I'm in North PA during the winters and it does get cold but i run Mobil1 0w-40.

Is there a diference in time needed to warm up a carbureted car vs. fuel injected?

2006 KJ · **Posted:** Mon Nov 17, 2008 12:10 am

when it's cold my KJ is not happy in the transmission... seems like the fluid gets very thick and it's difficult to shift especially from 1st to 2nd when it gets pretty cold 30 and below

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Nov 17, 2008 1:50 am

2006 KJ wrote:

when it's cold my KJ is not happy in the transmission... seems like the fluid gets very thick and it's difficult to shift especially from 1st to 2nd when it gets pretty cold 30 and below

Yea, some people post about that thinking something is wrong. It takes mine a few seconds to shift into D from P if its cold(<40F).

Ohh, forgot to say that I like to use 5w-30 in the winter. Found that my Valve Train is a lot quieter on those cold mornings when I started using it..

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Mon Nov 17, 2008 10:44 am

Anyone run 0w30 mobil 1 in their gas KJ. I want good protection went I start up my KJ in the morning.

As for the block heater sounds like too much of a pain to install.

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

......

jeepmedic46 · **Posted:** Mon Nov 17, 2008 11:40 am

Mine and my wifes like to be warmed up in the winter, They seem to run better.

Warming up your KJ

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