What normal maintenance made the biggest difference for you?

[GhostStrykre]

I'm intending this more as a discussion, but it seemed like a good question.

I'm sure most people would say oil changes, because the engine isn't gonna last long without changing it. To me, however, changing the oil has always kept the truck (and any vehicle) running the same. Never felt like an improvement or difference.

A little over a month ago or so I changed the spark plugs on my Ranger. I went with Motorcraft plugs, but when buying them I found out there was an obsolete part number. The guy at the counter scoffed at the price jump from the older plugs, but then noted the new Motorcraft plugs specified for the Ranger were double iridium. I thought nothing of it.

My truck was d/c'd from the battery for 30+ minutes while I did the job (I'm not the fastest). The truck transmission definitely behaved in a way that reminded me of "learning mode" as far as the transmission is concerned. That said, after around 750-1000 miles since the job, everything has smoothed out. The truck has NEVER behaved this consistently since I bought it used 4 years ago. Never. Since things smoothed out I've counted one transmission thud, and it was in conjunction with me letting off the pedal and then pressing again unexpectedly in a parking lot.

Quite honestly, the truck is wonderful to drive right now. It has been for weeks. I never thought the plugs would make this much of a difference. Is it the plugs? No idea. Is it the new part number double iridium? I highly doubt it.

I can't explain it, but I'm happy to report that I just love driving my truck in a way I never have since I bought it. It's smooth, predictable, and just pleasant.

So I'm curious if anyone else performed some other maintenance items they felt made a dramatic difference.

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[Dsc]

The most dramatic change for me, is battery replacement. The more sensors on a vehicle, the more things shut down when the battery weakens.
This is not just a new problem. My 07 Explorer shuts down the airbags and gives the fault light. Let it run for a minute to recharge, shutdown, then restart it, all good.
Even the electric choke on my Holley carb (69) will not open correctly or in extreme cases not at all, with a weak battery. Add a weak battery on a Harley can really give you a bad day.
i have bought a lithium booster pack, which makes life much better. I wonder how many people head to garage when these things happen.
sorry for the rant.

 

[21rangerCactus]

Changed my plugs a few weeks ago at 65k. Tbh the plugs looked fine and there was not any noticeable difference. My fuel mileage has not changed.

The ride is becoming pretty rough and I will soon be changing put the shocks. I'm sure that will make a difference.

I changed my diff fluid at 50 or 60k. The fluid came out gold.. Like new. I had slight shake at higher speeds and now that's gone.

 

[RedDakooter05]

I'll be honest I'm only at 16,200 miles right now so I can't comment much on the ranger itself.
Oil changes make my engine quieter for the first run cycle, then it's back to it's sewing machine tick/clacky sound.

Maybe once I get to 30k I can have the atf/filter changed out and address some other concerns. Overall the ranger is kind of inconsistent for me day to day.



For past vehicles, It's usually just transmission fluid changes. Oil is like spark plugs for me, engine starts and runs different and then next start up it feels the way it did before the change.


Brakes/rotors make an obvious difference... That's about it for me.

 

[GhostStrykre]

The most dramatic change for me, is battery replacement. The more sensors on a vehicle, the more things shut down when the battery weakens.
This is not just a new problem. My 07 Explorer shuts down the airbags and gives the fault light. Let it run for a minute to recharge, shutdown, then restart it, all good.
Even the electric choke on my Holley carb (69) will not open correctly or in extreme cases not at all, with a weak battery. Add a weak battery on a Harley can really give you a bad day.
i have bought a lithium booster pack, which makes life much better. I wonder how many people head to garage when these things happen.
sorry for the rant.

maaaan oh man are you right on this. I definitely see it more on motorcycles. Sooo much of a motorcycle’s functionality on a modern bike boils down to its electrical system. So many problems as a result. Once again, baffling why Harley made the Pan America as an ADV bike and put the regulator rectifier down low by the oil pan!

on the car side, looks like this exact issue is playing out in Ford’s recent recall of 450k vehicles. Here’s the source I read it at:

Changed my plugs a few weeks ago at 65k. Tbh the plugs looked fine and there was not any noticeable difference. My fuel mileage has not changed.

The ride is becoming pretty rough and I will soon be changing put the shocks. I'm sure that will make a difference.

I changed my diff fluid at 50 or 60k. The fluid came out gold.. Like new. I had slight shake at higher speeds and now that's gone.

my plugs also looked fine. Maybe it’ll smooth out. Honestly I wish I knew why it happened, but my ONLY change was the plugs. Very bizarre. Diff and trans fluid is next up for me. I have a slight vibration when letting off the gas at highway speeds. I’d heard that was driveline angle being off, but I’m hoping the fluid swap helps!

I'll be honest I'm only at 16,200 miles right now so I can't comment much on the ranger itself.
Oil changes make my engine quieter for the first run cycle, then it's back to it's sewing machine tick/clacky sound.

Maybe once I get to 30k I can have the atf/filter changed out and address some other concerns. Overall the ranger is kind of inconsistent for me day to day.



For past vehicles, It's usually just transmission fluid changes. Oil is like spark plugs for me, engine starts and runs different and then next start up it feels the way it did before the change.


Brakes/rotors make an obvious difference... That's about it for me.

I’ve never swapped transmission fluid and that’s my next appointment. Otherwise I have had similar experiences with oil swaps. Seems nice at first but then same ol same ol.

I’ve never had a problem with a sewing machine sound. I wish it was better, but I can deal with it.

 

[TJMarchand]

I'm at 93k right now, changing suspension helped immensely. I have the Eibach pro truck kit and love the new ride. New spark plugs helped at around 65 k and next is a transmission fluid change.

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