How Much Damage Did I Do?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Nov 22, 2025 | 08:41 AM

Lexus2X

Thread Starter

Rookie

Joined: Dec 2021

Posts: 32

Likes: 17

From: PA

How Much Damage Did I Do?

Changing the oil this morning in my 2022 LS 500 and mistakenly started it up and ran for 20 to 30 seconds with no oil in it. How much damage could have occurred? How concerned should I be?

Nov 22, 2025 | 10:10 AM

LeX2K

Lexus Fanatic

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 25,962

Likes: 4,288

From: Alberta

No load + running with no oil is much better than no oil while loading the engine. Hard to say, you're probably okay but I'm mostly guessing. I once ran a Sienna with no oil for about 15 seconds same thing I was changing oil and my brain stopped working. Van is still going years later.

Nov 22, 2025 | 12:24 PM

pwells

Driver School Candidate

Joined: Jun 2002

Posts: 18

Likes: 5

From: TX

My 2 cents is that I wouldn't worry about it.

Nov 22, 2025 | 12:28 PM

mcomer

Lead Lap

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 4,297

Likes: 1,225

From: IL

Small amount of oil was still in the oil pump and pick up that did not drain fully.
Brief run at idle, cool motor from not running for the time you took to drain, ought to be fine.
Did the oil warning light come on? Were the only screeching sounds coming from your mouth?

Nov 22, 2025 | 12:43 PM

Bigoofy

Intermediate

Joined: Jul 2024

Posts: 311

Likes: 100

From: NJ

You are good. I routinely run my engines after draining the oil until the oil pressure light comes on. Have driven hundreds of thousands of miles on my cars.

Nov 22, 2025 | 10:04 PM

bigblack06

CL Community Team

iTrader: (20)

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 7,103

Likes: 368

From: Beantown

I agree with most you should be fine, like Lex2K said if it was under load maybe something different but you should be fine.

Nov 22, 2025 | 10:18 PM

Striker223

Lexus Champion

Joined: Oct 2019

Posts: 18,096

Likes: 1,740

From: Ohio

On that engine.....maybe fine maybe not. No sense worrying now, just run it and hope nothing happened. You had oil film and whatever oil was still in passages/bottom of the pan plus near no load so it's not instant death, hopefully.

10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Verdad Gallardo

8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

Michael S. Palmer

10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

Joe Kucinski

TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

Michael S. Palmer

Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

Joe Kucinski

Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation

Joe Kucinski

Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?

Brett Foote

GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler

Michael S. Palmer

9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)

Joe Kucinski

2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!

Brett Foote

Nov 23, 2025 | 07:34 AM

Nalod

Instructor

Joined: Dec 2019

Posts: 810

Likes: 435

From: NC

I agree its should not be of consequence given the short time and no load.

Nov 25, 2025 | 04:21 PM

#10

Lexus2X

Thread Starter

Rookie

Joined: Dec 2021

Posts: 32

Likes: 17

From: PA

Thanks for all the feedback. The responses are appreciated and certainly help reduce the anxiety over my mistake.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcomer

Did the oil warning light come on? Were the only screeching sounds coming from your mouth?

Ha, yes oil warning lights with loud alarms, and there were definitely screeching sounds along with choice words coming from my mouth. I think I lost my religion for a brief moment.