Accidentally remote started truck with no oil- am I okay?

giganotosaurus · Jun 2, 2022

While performing an oil change (just after emptying old oil) I was getting under the truck to take off the filter. In my pocket I must have accidentally triggered the remote start. I frantically jumped in and turned her off. Considering the oil filter was not removed and it only ran for 2-3 seconds do you think I am okay?

I finished the oil change and she's running/sounding fine, I am just worried I may have caused some damage. I understand only time will tell but hoping to get some opinions/experiences that will ease my mind

Besides different noises/smoke is there anything else I should be on the lookout for to identify any possible issues?

'17 Ram 1500 V8 5.7l Hemi

Thank you in advance!!!!!

NJMOPAR · Jun 2, 2022

Listen for any odd noises when MDS kicks in, but I think you're ok.
I'd be more concerned with the fact that remote start worked with the hood open. Check the hood latch wiring.
That should not happen.

PoMansRam · Jun 2, 2022

Given it was seconds, you're fine.

Talk about a dangerous situation though. Is it an aftermarket RS? Did you have the hood up?

retired · Jun 2, 2022

I agree 2 or 3 seconds you will be fine as probably not even enough time to drop the pressure from the filter. if you think about most new oil filters are empty.

MRFREEZE57 · Jun 2, 2022

there was likely plenty of residual oil that no damage was done in just a few seconds, also exactly why I disabled the remote start in my keys as more than once I went out to find my truck idling due to bumping the start button in my pocket.

Burn2k12Ram · Jun 2, 2022

You should be fine that it was just a few seconds. And there would of been enough residual oil regardless. I actually changed my oil yesterday and actually thought about the possibility of RS with no oil so I took the keys out of my pocket to prevent. But yes it should not be possible to start if hood was closed. Was your hood down? Only way should be possible you were able to RS.

Lee Peterson · Jun 2, 2022

It will be fine! Next time leave the hood up remote start wont work!

jws123 · Jun 2, 2022

Next time work with the hood of the truck open lol it wont remote start if the hood is open if it does then you have a problem.

Octane · Jun 2, 2022

I drove my mazda off the ramps without any oil in motor once. Didn't seem to hurt a thing

jawzs2 · Jun 3, 2022

Octane said:
I drove my mazda off the ramps without any oil in motor once. Didn't seem to hurt a thing

How'd the ramps hold up?

John Jensen · Jun 3, 2022

I have witnessed a DIY oil change and forget to put oil back in the engine, then start it up for a bit. Never have seen any damage done. The worst case is maybe some premature wear that would reduce engine life somewhere down the line, but I doubt it. There used to be videos of guys who ran an oil additive, then drain the oil and run the engine with no oil for several minutes.

Octane · Jun 3, 2022

jawzs2 said:
How'd the ramps hold up?

Okay,just ran the car onto ramps to change the oil.I put the filter on,then wanted to back car off ramps to put oil into the engine. When I got in the car I forgot what I was doing and I started the car, and backed it off of the ramps.Senior moment. Engine ran for several seconds of course, and I shut it off as quick as I could when I realized what I did. But it didn't seem to hurt it, like I said.

Ramagain · Jun 3, 2022

You're fine. The engine is still wet during an oil change.

seabrook · Jun 3, 2022

its fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RLJ10X · Jun 4, 2022

I haven't heard it for a while but, this story, or some variation there of, used to circulate the inter-web motorcycle forums:

Harley dudes obtain some poor old ragged out Japanese 600. They take said ragged out Honda/Kaw/Yam/Suz bike to Harley dude rally, where they try to blow it up. After the poor thing bounces off the rev limiter for a while, and not producing the desired result, Harley dudes drain oil out of abused 600. After bouncing off the rev limiter for a while the oil less 600 stops running. Harley dudes all cheer in victory. The next morning, someone hits the starter button on 600. It starts and runs.

I don't know if that one ^ is true or not, but the next one is true. My friend who worked at a John Deere dealership, in the shop, got bored one day and drained the oil out of an old MTD (K-Mart), probably 10 hp, lawn tractor. He ran it until it locked up. He let it cool, and put a pipe wrench on the output shaft, and broke it loose. He started it up again and ran it until it stopped again. On the third try he couldn't get it started.

Tadpole · Jun 6, 2022

Should be fine.

kollie01 · Jun 6, 2022

giganotosaurus said:
While performing an oil change (just after emptying old oil) I was getting under the truck to take off the filter. In my pocket I must have accidentally triggered the remote start. I frantically jumped in and turned her off. Considering the oil filter was not removed and it only ran for 2-3 seconds do you think I am okay?

I finished the oil change and she's running/sounding fine, I am just worried I may have caused some damage. I understand only time will tell but hoping to get some opinions/experiences that will ease my mind Besides different noises/smoke is there anything else I should be on the lookout for to identify any possible issues?

'17 Ram 1500 V8 5.7l Hemi

Thank you in advance!!!!!

Your truck should be equipped with a switch that doesn't allow for that to happen when the hoods open unless you hold the button down.

Marshall · Jun 6, 2022

If you hit the fob button again I think it will shut the truck down?
With out crawling out from under
I bet you will not do that again
My heart is bad all ready
Many years ago I ran a flat head motor under load for 15 minutes
I was OK. Don’t have 2 people working on the same equipment

FlyingA · Jun 6, 2022

Good thing your hand or someone else's (child) wasn't in the wrong place!!! BECAREFUL!!!

Phirebeard · Jun 6, 2022

You'll be fine. The RS button turns the truck off on my '17. I also roll the drivers window down and leave the keys on the seat when working on it.

Accidentally remote started truck with no oil- am I okay?

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