Ruski

I was a dumbass today. Went to get gas and for some reason forgot to turn off the engine (maybe stressing over my job search)

So after getting gas, I jump into the car and crank the ignition - of course the screeching noise from the starter.

It was only for a split second, I realized that I was a dumbass and backed off. Is it possible to damage something this way?


P.S. they don't install the feature that disables the starter if the engine is already runnning? I think I had such feature in my 300M.

Tom Blasing

Doing it once or twice over the lofe of he car probably won't do too much harm. But if you start hearing the same type of sound when you know the car is off and being cranked to turn on then the fly wheel or the starter is either missing some teeth or is worn down to where it won't catch.

fsttyms1

you should be fine just try not to make a habbit out of doing it

this is me

Yeah i feel yah man. Although i havent done such thing, recently i keep on shutting the engine off while on D5 or on R. Would that do any damage?

Tom Blasing

No, that won't do any harm. But, as I'm sure you found out, the key ain't commin' out until it's put in Park

this is me

yup, i finally realize it when i cant take out the key.

yield2s

i bet your previous car was a stick,I do the same thing and am currently trying to retrain my brain

Ruski

Happens to me too sometimes. Usually after commuting through some hairy traffic. I can't even remember co-workers names after some of these commutes.

Ruski

But I usually realise right away that I just shut off the car while shifter is in D. The shut-off feels different.

lilirish

i use to do it all the time, no i made a habbit of checking the rpms as soon as i get into my car so i know if its already been started

ice091298

personally i think u should be more concerned with you forgetting to shut off your car while refueling. turning ingition while ccar is already running may cause a few problems down the road if you make a habbit out of it, but refueling while car is running has potential to creat much bigger problems for ya. jes my $.02

tomax-tl

Dang, Ruski u dont turn off your engine while filling up!!!

I sure don't want to be in the same station the next time you need gas.

fla-tls

Why is keeping the car running a big safety issue? The biggest problem comes from static electricity....

- You fill up a portable gas can in the bed of a truck with a bedliner
- You get in and out of the car while filling up (when it's dry out, ie winter)

What's the big deal about having an engine running. It's not like a TL is going to backfire...

BTW - I always shut my car off. I'm just playing a little devil's advocate...

systek

i would say to be careful cause u never know when the timing can be just right and u break some teeth on the flywheel or the starter or both.(u hear the teeth grinding when u do this)

also, just step on the gas real quick if ur not sure...thats what i do.

RAdams

The starter motor will get damaged long before you break any teeth of the ring gear on the flywheel. At any rate, it's not going to hurt anything as long as you don't do it too often.

Ruski

fighter pilots don't turn off their engines while refueling in air. They are my role models.

daimler560

Strange as to why Acura didn't put in a interlock on the TL. We have an 97 Caravan and 92 BMW that have this feature. Does any Honda product have a starter interlock?

systek

not that i know of. actually, ive never been in a car (to my knowledge) that had a starter interlock

Raheel

Wow a Starter Interlock.. We need that!

Every car should have it.. Whats it do, like a safety so u dont recrank your engine?

asiankidd

get the compustar alarm it has the starter interlock for ya...cheers