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Open engine hatch while ideling?

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Old Dec 19, 2023 | 11:36 AM
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Default Open engine hatch while ideling?

Ok, I have what seems like a dumb question but I have scoured the owners manual and cannot find an answer.
I have a HTC. How do you open the engine hatch while the engine is idling to check the oil level?
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Dec 19, 2023, 12:42 PM
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I just use the open top button on the door and release it when the tonneau cover is fully raised. Sitting in driver's seat, door closed, engine idling. Just like opening the top.
Old Dec 19, 2023 | 11:49 AM
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Originally Posted by jcthorne
Ok, I have what seems like a dumb question but I have scoured the owners manual and cannot find an answer.
I have a HTC. How do you open the engine hatch while the engine is idling to check the oil level?
Google is your friend:

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Old Dec 19, 2023 | 11:56 AM
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Well thanks but the video did not answer my question. I asked how to raise the hatch while the engine was idling so I can check the oil. He raised it and then started the engine.

Or does one have to stop the engine, get out and close the doors, open the hatch and then get BACK IN and start the engine and then get BACK OUT and check the oil level? I was trying to avoid the multiple times getting in and out of the car to check the oil.

Oh and he says over and over to press the key fob lock and then the hatch button twice. that is not correct, you press lock and then press and hold the hatch button.
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Old Dec 19, 2023 | 12:42 PM
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I just use the open top button on the door and release it when the tonneau cover is fully raised. Sitting in driver's seat, door closed, engine idling. Just like opening the top.
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Old Dec 19, 2023 | 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by RKCRLR
I just use the open top button on the door and release it when the tonneau cover is fully raised. Sitting in driver's seat, door closed, engine idling. Just like opening the top.
Exactly! Can't imagine why they'd want us to do it any other way.

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Old Dec 19, 2023 | 12:57 PM
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I know exactly what your talking about it seams like you have to solve a Chinese box puzzle just to check the oil. I do it all with the key fob. From outside the car I use the remote start to start the car, then hit the lock button then open the hatch.
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Old Dec 19, 2023 | 01:10 PM
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Originally Posted by jgorss
I know exactly what your talking about it seams like you have to solve a Chinese box puzzle just to check the oil. I do it all with the key fob. From outside the car I use the remote start to start the car, then hit the lock button then open the hatch.
Thanks. If I can remember the secret handshake sequence it sounds simple enough.
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Old Dec 20, 2023 | 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by jgorss
I know exactly what your talking about it seams like you have to solve a Chinese box puzzle just to check the oil. I do it all with the key fob. From outside the car I use the remote start to start the car, then hit the lock button then open the hatch.
Originally Posted by jcthorne
Thanks. If I can remember the secret handshake sequence it sounds simple enough.
Since I check my oil after I have been out for a drive, that would require me to shut the engine off, then get out of the car and do the key fob action. Much easier to just press the button on the door until the tonneau cover is up.
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Old Dec 20, 2023 | 01:02 PM
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I would suggest to turn the car off, open hatch in service mode, then start if needed. To get into service mode, hit lock on remote twice, then hold convertible open button until hatch opens. Just the hatch will open in service mode.
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Old Dec 20, 2023 | 01:16 PM
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This whole topic is bewildering to me. Yes, there is a procedure to open just the tonneau cover from the outside with the engine running. But it is easier to just raise the cover from the inside to check the oil after a drive. The engine needs to be at normal operating temperature for an accurate oil level check which means you need to let the car idle for quite a while if you don't check it right after a drive. And it may shut itself off before it gets up to temperature. And, if all else fails, start the car and raise the tonneau cover using the button on the door. I think you can even do it with the door open.
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Old Dec 20, 2023 | 01:17 PM
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Originally Posted by jgorss
I know exactly what your talking about it seams like you have to solve a Chinese box puzzle just to check the oil. I do it all with the key fob. From outside the car I use the remote start to start the car, then hit the lock button then open the hatch.
That is also the method I use. Get out of the car with engine off. Lock the car. Remote start it. Hit lock again, then open the tonneau (which is now opening in the service mode). Engine remains running. Check the oil. Hit lock again, then the top button which will now cause the tonneau to close, and the engine will stop. Walk away.

I have never used the other methods. If you open the tonneau while in the car using the top button, then release when the tonneau is open, then get out to check your oil, how do you close it and turn the engine off after you have checked the oil? Can you do that with the fob or do you need to get back in and shut it off?
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Old Dec 20, 2023 | 01:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Andybump
That is also the method I use. Get out of the car with engine off. Lock the car. Remote start it. Hit lock again, then open the tonneau (which is now opening in the service mode). Engine remains running. Check the oil. Hit lock again, then the top button which will now cause the tonneau to close, and the engine will stop. Walk away.

I have never used the other methods. If you open the tonneau while in the car using the top button, then release when the tonneau is open, then get out to check your oil, how do you close it and turn the engine off after you have checked the oil? Can you do that with the fob or do you need to get back in and shut it off?
I just use the door button to close the top (you can do it with the door open), reach over and push the Start/Stop button to stop the engine, and close the door. The remote top close and stop might also work but I haven't tried it tn that situation.
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Old Dec 20, 2023 | 03:15 PM
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The fact there is such an involved thread here on this topic suggests how silly the procedure is.
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Old Dec 21, 2023 | 10:44 AM
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Should be a very simple process.
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Old Dec 21, 2023 | 11:23 AM
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I'm even more surprised by how many people manually check their oil. I don't think I've done it on any of my cars in the last 15 years. The car usually tells me when its low.
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Old Dec 21, 2023 | 11:35 AM
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Originally Posted by progtp
I'm even more surprised by how many people manually check their oil. I don't think I've done it on any of my cars in the last 15 years. The car usually tells me when its low.
Unfortunately the C8 doesn't have an oil level sensor so when it tells you it is low it is due to a low oil pressure warning. You don't want to let it get to that point...
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Old Dec 21, 2023 | 12:07 PM
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Originally Posted by jgorss
I know exactly what your talking about it seams like you have to solve a Chinese box puzzle just to check the oil. I do it all with the key fob. From outside the car I use the remote start to start the car, then hit the lock button then open the hatch.
Originally Posted by jcthorne
Thanks. If I can remember the secret handshake sequence it sounds simple enough.
Are you guys serious?
With car running and warm, press the button to lower the top. Stop when the engine is accessible.
No puzzle, and no secrets.
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