Cant explain, after oil change truck runs/shifts better?

[awd.nv]

Hi guys,

So trying to get to the point, Saturday morning after an oil change with AMS Oil signature series 5w/30 rather than the dealer motorcraft full synthetic, the truck all of a sudden shifts better, drives a little smoother and exhaust smells a little less, or different. I don't quite know how to explain this.... (I am in Vegas where it is over 100F still when this oil change occurred, yesterday and today finally 98F high, today being Tuesday)

Basically immediately, turning out of the dealer, the shifting felt like I cleared adaptations and was relearning, weird but it felt like shifting was getting better than before. The other weird thing is that I tested normal drive mode and it doesn't really lug like it used to when I am at cruising speed. Tow mode and sport mode were my usual modes and they feel improved a little as well.

The other thing, the exhaust smell is different, like maybe less smell or just different scent(have a downpipe). Same 76 gas in the truck too, that didnt change. Same Motorcraft oil filter the dealer uses too.

The very weird part is that I always drive in tow or sport because Drive lugs and I hate the feeling, 30mph in my community 7th gear, but now it doesn't really lug and is quicker to downshift when I apply throttle which I think is preventing the lug feeling I used to have? Yesterday with a headwind at 70mph the truck didnt feel bad in 10th (33" tires), where I might usually put it in 8th or 9th at least.

Getting on the freeway WOT feels about the same, the main thing is the drivability really feels much better.

The only thing I can think of is perhaps this oil runs cooler which is helping the engine in the heat we have. Maybe rings getting a better seal and vacuum being improved? Or, the Turbo is happier?

Apparently our trucks don't have an oil pressure sensor, just a switch so the PSI on my Scanguage 2 doesn't really mean anything, seems same as the motorcraft oil though. If any changes, within margin of error.

One thing that drew me to AMS Oil was the performance in the turbo and oil temp test from this video....


Any thoughts? The joke in my head is that "She always runs best before she dies" kinda thing, like clicking off a great time at the dragstrip only to blow the engine on the next run lol

Thanks!

Sponsored

 

[Stevedbvik1]

Hi guys,

So trying to get to the point, Saturday morning after an oil change with AMS Oil signature series 5w/30 rather than the dealer motorcraft full synthetic, the truck all of a sudden shifts better, drives a little smoother and exhaust smells a little less, or different. I don't quite know how to explain this.... (I am in Vegas where it is over 100F still when this oil change occurred, yesterday and today finally 98F high, today being Tuesday)

Basically immediately, turning out of the dealer, the shifting felt like I cleared adaptations and was relearning, weird but it felt like shifting was getting better than before. The other weird thing is that I tested normal drive mode and it doesn't really lug like it used to when I am at cruising speed. Tow mode and sport mode were my usual modes and they feel improved a little as well.

The other thing, the exhaust smell is different, like maybe less smell or just different scent(have a downpipe). Same 76 gas in the truck too, that didnt change. Same Motorcraft oil filter the dealer uses too.

The very weird part is that I always drive in tow or sport because Drive lugs and I hate the feeling, 30mph in my community 7th gear, but now it doesn't really lug and is quicker to downshift when I apply throttle which I think is preventing the lug feeling I used to have? Yesterday with a headwind at 70mph the truck didnt feel bad in 10th (33" tires), where I might usually put it in 8th or 9th at least.

Getting on the freeway WOT feels about the same, the main thing is the drivability really feels much better.

The only thing I can think of is perhaps this oil runs cooler which is helping the engine in the heat we have. Maybe rings getting a better seal and vacuum being improved? Or, the Turbo is happier?

Apparently our trucks don't have an oil pressure sensor, just a switch so the PSI on my Scanguage 2 doesn't really mean anything, seems same as the motorcraft oil though. If any changes, within margin of error.

One thing that drew me to AMS Oil was the performance in the turbo and oil temp test from this video....


Any thoughts? The joke in my head is that "She always runs best before she dies" kinda thing, like clicking off a great time at the dragstrip only to blow the engine on the next run lol

Thanks!

So the dealer changed your oil? If so is there anything else noted on the repair order?

 

[RangerBill]

Apparently our trucks don't have an oil pressure sensor, just a switch so the PSI on my Scanguage 2 doesn't really mean anything, seems same as the motorcraft oil though. If any changes, within margin of error.

Our trucks do have an oil pressure sensor and Forscan can read actual oil pressure in psi.

 

[Cmar]

Hi guys,

So trying to get to the point, Saturday morning after an oil change with AMS Oil signature series 5w/30 rather than the dealer motorcraft full synthetic, the truck all of a sudden shifts better, drives a little smoother and exhaust smells a little less, or different. I don't quite know how to explain this.... (I am in Vegas where it is over 100F still when this oil change occurred, yesterday and today finally 98F high, today being Tuesday)

Basically immediately, turning out of the dealer, the shifting felt like I cleared adaptations and was relearning, weird but it felt like shifting was getting better than before. The other weird thing is that I tested normal drive mode and it doesn't really lug like it used to when I am at cruising speed. Tow mode and sport mode were my usual modes and they feel improved a little as well.

The other thing, the exhaust smell is different, like maybe less smell or just different scent(have a downpipe). Same 76 gas in the truck too, that didnt change. Same Motorcraft oil filter the dealer uses too.

The very weird part is that I always drive in tow or sport because Drive lugs and I hate the feeling, 30mph in my community 7th gear, but now it doesn't really lug and is quicker to downshift when I apply throttle which I think is preventing the lug feeling I used to have? Yesterday with a headwind at 70mph the truck didnt feel bad in 10th (33" tires), where I might usually put it in 8th or 9th at least.

Getting on the freeway WOT feels about the same, the main thing is the drivability really feels much better.

The only thing I can think of is perhaps this oil runs cooler which is helping the engine in the heat we have. Maybe rings getting a better seal and vacuum being improved? Or, the Turbo is happier?

Apparently our trucks don't have an oil pressure sensor, just a switch so the PSI on my Scanguage 2 doesn't really mean anything, seems same as the motorcraft oil though. If any changes, within margin of error.

One thing that drew me to AMS Oil was the performance in the turbo and oil temp test from this video....


Any thoughts? The joke in my head is that "She always runs best before she dies" kinda thing, like clicking off a great time at the dragstrip only to blow the engine on the next run lol

Thanks!

I noted that sort of thing after I switched from Ford's general purpose oil recommendation to a proper HDEO and noticed something similar - just put it down to confirmation bias, although it feels smoother and quieter.

 

[airline tech]

I would say - its most likely due to (fresh oil) - Less internal friction, better flow and better VCT operation - engine load / torque are input factors of shift points would be the main reason for noted (drivability) improvement.
Yes we have - Oil Pressure but we do not have Oil Temp

So the question is -Was it the Oil Change (itself) or the actual oil brand that created the difference?

 

[Joeiconic]

My truck drives better after I wash it. I can’t explain that either.

 

[Fordup]

Mine has also been better since the last oil change. They did a TSB ECU reflash for fuel in the oil that seems to have lowered the idle rpm resulting in shift improvement so far. Ford oil was used.

 

[awd.nv]

So the dealer changed your oil? If so is there anything else noted on the repair order?

A buddy here did the oil change, he is a tech, I got to go over the truck while he did the oil change. So no other work was done but the oil change and me having the chance to give the truck good under carriage inspection.

Our trucks do have an oil pressure sensor and Forscan can read actual oil pressure in psi.

I monitor oil pressure with my Scan Gauge ii either way, be it real or a calculation. It seems very similar. Idle might now peak at 32psi rather than 30-31psi but the lows will still hit 25 on occasion. The motordcraft would hit 24psi if I was doing a lot of stop n go. Haven't seen that yet with the AMSoil. At RPM, I might see an extra 5psi with AMSsoil but hard to say, this all seems within margin of error. We do seem to have a variable oil pump so I am not sure if that is a factor here.

I would say - its most likely due to (fresh oil) - Less internal friction, better flow and better VCT operation - engine load / torque are input factors of shift points would be the main reason for noted (drivability) improvement.
Yes we have - Oil Pressure but we do not have Oil Temp

So the question is -Was it the Oil Change (itself) or the actual oil brand that created the difference?

I tend to agree that I think there is some level of oil performance changing things. Granted, having done Ford full synthetic oil changes between 3k and 5k miles depending on what I did with the truck, never have I experienced this until I switched to a "premium" oil.

What started this journey, this summer was the first time I saw idle oil drop to 24PSI on my scan gauge ii, which is usually a value I have on the display. Generally, idle is always 28-31 with some dips to 26, never 24....even if still within normal.

Also, it seems like we have a variable oil pump, so maybe that is a factor too. Less load?

It was also the first summer I had all these bolt ons with the tune (see signature). I know the Ford oil meets their requirements for a stock engine but perhaps this summer with temps hitting 116F this year, I found the limit with what the OEM oil can do with these mods.

I never thought of the Ranger being able to utilize a better oil this way, but with my 66 Mustang and warmed up 302, oil pressure was always better with Royal Purple compared to Mobile 1 and other oils I tested at the time, so oil did matter on that motor. Never had the money to dyno compare oils though.

With the AMSoil I have now seen idle peaks of 32psi but low still hit 25psi, no 24psi yet. I dont always glance at PSI when at WOT but generally I have seen 48-52psi range on the old brand, AMSoil I think I saw 55psi, hard to say when I am driving spirited on the hwy.

Good to hear this seems to be a real number, multiple Ai said just an oil switch and there is not a lot of real info out there. It did mention a thread here but I am not experienced enough to know if it was just a switch or real sensor. I have Forescan as well.

I guess it is reasonable to think the oil change did affect shifting, which improved drivability some afterall?

 

[RangerBill]

A buddy here did the oil change, he is a tech, I got to go over the truck while he did the oil change. So no other work was done but the oil change and me having the chance to give the truck good under carriage inspection.



I monitor oil pressure with my Scan Gauge ii either way, be it real or a calculation. It seems very similar. Idle might now peak at 32psi rather than 30-31psi but the lows will still hit 25 on occasion. The motordcraft would hit 24psi if I was doing a lot of stop n go. Haven't seen that yet with the AMSoil. At RPM, I might see an extra 5psi with AMSsoil but hard to say, this all seems within margin of error. We do seem to have a variable oil pump so I am not sure if that is a factor here.



I tend to agree that I think there is some level of oil performance changing things. Granted, having done Ford full synthetic oil changes between 3k and 5k miles depending on what I did with the truck, never have I experienced this until I switched to a "premium" oil.

What started this journey, this summer was the first time I saw idle oil drop to 24PSI on my scan gauge ii, which is usually a value I have on the display. Generally, idle is always 28-31 with some dips to 26, never 24....even if still within normal.

Also, it seems like we have a variable oil pump, so maybe that is a factor too. Less load?

It was also the first summer I had all these bolt ons with the tune (see signature). I know the Ford oil meets their requirements for a stock engine but perhaps this summer with temps hitting 116F this year, I found the limit with what the OEM oil can do with these mods.

I never thought of the Ranger being able to utilize a better oil this way, but with my 66 Mustang and warmed up 302, oil pressure was always better with Royal Purple compared to Mobile 1 and other oils I tested at the time, so oil did matter on that motor. Never had the money to dyno compare oils though.

With the AMSoil I have now seen idle peaks of 32psi but low still hit 25psi, no 24psi yet. I dont always glance at PSI when at WOT but generally I have seen 48-52psi range on the old brand, AMSoil I think I saw 55psi, hard to say when I am driving spirited on the hwy.

Good to hear this seems to be a real number, multiple Ai said just an oil switch and there is not a lot of real info out there. It did mention a thread here but I am not experienced enough to know if it was just a switch or real sensor. I have Forescan as well.

I guess it is reasonable to think the oil change did affect shifting, which improved drivability some afterall?

The shop manual states that there is oil pressure feedback to the PCM and a sensor, not a switch, is shown on the wiring diagrams. The oil pump is variable and controlled by the PCM as stated in the shop manual and shown on wiring diagrams.

 

[awd.nv]

The shop manual states that there is oil pressure feedback to the PCM and a sensor, not a switch, is shown on the wiring diagrams. The oil pump is variable and controlled by the PCM as stated in the shop manual and shown on wiring diagrams.

Thanks for sharing that, I don't have shop manuals or schematics for the truck so it is appreciated. Sounds like it is technically possible that oil performance can affect shifting due to the PCM inputs.

 

[JohnnyLightning]

I have had a bunch of turbo charged cars. Everyone of them seems to be a little smoother after an oil change. It is always in the area of the throttle of pulling out quickly, but not trying to impress anyone. I suspect yours driving a little different isnt due to the different brand, but due to the oil being fresh. It seems to settle down after 1000 miles or so.

 

[Grumpaw]

Its simply your Ranger's doing a happy dance after you've done something...........

 

[awd.nv]

I have had a bunch of turbo charged cars. Everyone of them seems to be a little smoother after an oil change. It is always in the area of the throttle of pulling out quickly, but not trying to impress anyone. I suspect yours driving a little different isnt due to the different brand, but due to the oil being fresh. It seems to settle down after 1000 miles or so.

This is only my second turbo vehicle but 83k miles with 5k oil changes, I can agree about what you said, there is always a little something after an oil change, be it in my head or real. The thing is, never have I experienced shifting feeling different. Literally like if I cleared adaptations and it was learning again.

Either way, will be sticking to AMSoil for the time being.

 

[dtech]

I think IIRC there is a guy on here that posted he hasn't bothered to change his oil in years, so his baseline for drivability never changes irrespective of type of oil used. Back in the day when I was doing car work for friends I did a tune up (points, plugs, condenser) adjust timing and mixture, oil change, it was a dodge super bee and the dude said his car never ran better - that is until he killed himself failing to navigate a turn at high speeds.
Anyone here old enuff ever ponder why the capacitor in points based ignition was improperly called a condenser ?
I only wash my Ranger once or twice a year and I can unequivocally say that it does look better afterwards, but after changing the oil - no discernible difference whatsoever.

 

[airline tech]

Anyone here old enuff ever ponder why the capacitor in points based ignition was improperly called a condenser ?


I actually know this one - early on it was believed to - Condense and Pack the energy, wow I remembered something from (High-School) Auto Tech class.
Ironically never had to deal with that type of ignition all that much, I had a few cars with it early on in my driving years.

Sponsored