In a system for pre-lubrication of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle having an oil reservoir and at least one oil passageway or galley in communication with an exterior of the engine, there is provided a fluid circuit, external to the engine, including a first conduit having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet in fluid communication with an output of the oil reservoir. The fluid circuit also includes an auxiliary oil hydraulic pump, including a pump motor having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the first conduit. The fluid circuit also includes a second conduit having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the pump, the outlet in fluid communication with the engine oil passageway and galleys. The fluid circuit also includes switches and timers for selectably actuating the motor of the oil pump for selectable periods of time prior to, and/or after, ignition. Further included is a valve for selectably closing the outlet of the second conduit at or upstream of the inlet to the engine oil passageway, in which the valve is normally-open.