I am looking for a remote car starter kit for my 1999 DiscoII. Has anyone put one in and what is the easiest/most cost effective one to use?

Thanks!

 

Starting your car and letting it idle until it warm (what most people use remote starters for) is bad for the engine and will reduce it's life.

 

May you explain why. I am curious to know. I always thought that letting the engine warm up was good.

 

I can see that starting your vehicle when it's cold would be enticing, but it really is bad to leave it running for long moments at a time... Yes, it is good to let it warm up for about 2-5 minutes... but no more than that.. The reason is because once the liquids run through the system, the oil won't be able to get to the top of the engine because it can't go through... that's how you could get your head gasket to weaken... and unfortunately Land Rovers are notorious for "blowing the head gasket".

 

I dont know about letting it warm up fully. But from my experiance listening to Car Talk. Its a good idea to let your car idle for 15-20 seconds before moving hot or cold weather. They claim that over the life of the engine its lets oil lube the cylinder walls. So there will not be premature scared/scratched cylinder walls.

 

It's good for diesels to let them warm up completely before putting a load onto them, but gas engines, yes you are right, do not let idle for a long time, they like to get up and go after 3min or do, but fluids do need to warm up some.

So back to my original question, anyone have a remote car starter that was easy to install?

 

60 seconds is plenty of time for a watercooled engine to "warm up".
Basically allowing the oil pressure to build so everything is getting lubed. You don't want to be gunning it, but starting it, let it idle for a bit while you fasten your seat belt, check your mirrors, then drive off gently is the best for your engine.

As for the diesel, it depends on the engine how much you should let it idle before driving off, but I've never driven one that needed to be at operating temp before driving.
For instance, my Perkins, even when newly rebuilt, should not be idled more than enough to build oil pressure.

All engines should be at normal temp before being put under full load, but there's rarely reason to put an engine under such a load as soon as you start out.

 

If I wait more then 15 seconds, here in Denver, it is to let the tranny, power steering and ACE a little more time, usually not more then 30 seconds when it is 20 or below.
Most people want a warm vehicle and are not concerned about their engines. If you start up and go in pretty quick order, your engine will warm up faster then just letting it idle, and Hey does anyone use their seat heaters???