Car runs better after highway trip??

[Tempest]

I just took a 500mi round trip with my 99' 4.0 Ranger. Went about 80MPH most of the way. It runs and starts so much better now that it did before the trip.

I actually bought a battery tester because the truck was getting hard to start. It would turn over for several seconds before it would light. Now it starts right up with just a quick flick of the switch. Battery tested fine by the way.

I've got Amsoil ASL 5W30 in the truck which has made a big difference in the way this truck runs. Much smoother than the bulk dino that was in there, and even better now.

It normally is a commuter for me. 15 miles each way, %90 good moving highway. I guess the long, fast run cleared out some of the cobwebs. It always seems to run cold (bottom third of the idiot gauge), so maybe the daily drive is not enough to get things up to full temps and clean out the gunk.

Any other ideas?

 

[TheTanSedan]

15 miles is where the warm-up ends. Past that point is where the acids, gunk and the rest start to get burned off. "Cobwebs" is appropriate.

 

[porcupine73]

Sounds not unlike the 'italian tuneup' discussed in other threads. Probably gives everything a nice chance to get good and warm and cook out a lot of junk that might have been building up in there.

 

[Eddie]

All cars i've owned ran much better after a faily long highway drive. Just racing around town never did it for me.

 

[ebaker]

The cleaner spark plugs are probably why it runs better.

 

[Schmoe]

Didn't you act better after Dad gave you a good flogging???

 

[Turk]

LOL Schmoe !!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, they usually run better after a good run!

Next time, put in a bottle of Techron, go on the run and when in a lower gear, rev up the engine to the highest RPM possible.

Watch the Carbom blow out of the exhaust pipe !!!