Smoother, quieter after oil change
- Thread starter Spetz
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Placebo effect, likely. I cant think of any mechanism that make the engine smoother.
Mine ran smoother once. After I replaced a motor mount... Crazy Hondas...
I think new oil has some sound abatement properties that it loses after it shears a bit. This is especially noticeable in motorcycles where you are sitting on top of the engine. Many people on here claim that their engine is noisier with Mobil 1 as well.
Probably new filter flowing better and slight increase in viscosity of fresh oil ie new unused viscosity enhancers/VII. I noticed this on my Volvo(s) - some cars more than others.
Probably placebo but I always feel the same myself.
Originally Posted By: Spetz
After I do an oil change on a car it feels smoother and quieter.
Just wondering if this is a placebo effect or if new oil does make an engine smoother and quieter?
Assuming same oil is used, and OCI is reasonable.
I've noticed this on all of my vehicles too. The first few start-ups with fresh oil sound different. The engine is more muted and seems to run smoother.
After I do an oil change on a car it feels smoother and quieter.
Just wondering if this is a placebo effect or if new oil does make an engine smoother and quieter?
Assuming same oil is used, and OCI is reasonable.
I've noticed this on all of my vehicles too. The first few start-ups with fresh oil sound different. The engine is more muted and seems to run smoother.
I guess for the very first start, the oil is cooler and more viscous than the oil that came out. After that though I can't say I really notice anything different.
Just a guess but oil changes are usually done on a warm engine with thinned out warm oil, now you go putting ambient temp oil in the warm engine.
It may well make the engine quieter for a few minutes until it thins out from engine heat.
I would bet if you let it drain, fill the new oil and let the engine completely cool there would be little or no difference.
It may well make the engine quieter for a few minutes until it thins out from engine heat.
I would bet if you let it drain, fill the new oil and let the engine completely cool there would be little or no difference.
Originally Posted By: Spetz
After I do an oil change on a car it feels smoother and quieter.
Just wondering if this is a placebo effect or if new oil does make an engine smoother and quieter?
Assuming same oil is used, and OCI is reasonable.
I'd say its *mostly* placebo effect. 90+ percent anyway. But oil does change as it ages- it first thins due to mechanical shearing, and then (if you run it long enough) starts thickening due to oxidation and preferential evaporation of the lighter components. So some change in sound might be expected.
I also think Trav made a great point- take a hot engine and put cool oil in it, and you have a situation that *never* happens otherwise and for a few minutes until the oil matches the engine temp there's a very unusual combination of hot-engine clearances with cool-engine oil viscosity. The FIRST START after an oil change can sound even more unusual.
After I do an oil change on a car it feels smoother and quieter.
Just wondering if this is a placebo effect or if new oil does make an engine smoother and quieter?
Assuming same oil is used, and OCI is reasonable.
I'd say its *mostly* placebo effect. 90+ percent anyway. But oil does change as it ages- it first thins due to mechanical shearing, and then (if you run it long enough) starts thickening due to oxidation and preferential evaporation of the lighter components. So some change in sound might be expected.
I also think Trav made a great point- take a hot engine and put cool oil in it, and you have a situation that *never* happens otherwise and for a few minutes until the oil matches the engine temp there's a very unusual combination of hot-engine clearances with cool-engine oil viscosity. The FIRST START after an oil change can sound even more unusual.
Originally Posted By: Pablo
Probably new filter flowing better and slight increase in viscosity of fresh oil ie new unused viscosity enhancers/VII. I noticed this on my Volvo(s) - some cars more than others.
I agree...
Particularly if the engine is "noisy" anyway.
My work Jeep with a 4.0 liter I6 gets a change every 3000 miles from our garage but I start noticing the lifter noise around 2000.
Probably new filter flowing better and slight increase in viscosity of fresh oil ie new unused viscosity enhancers/VII. I noticed this on my Volvo(s) - some cars more than others.
I agree...
Particularly if the engine is "noisy" anyway.
My work Jeep with a 4.0 liter I6 gets a change every 3000 miles from our garage but I start noticing the lifter noise around 2000.
Originally Posted By: Spetz
After I do an oil change on a car it feels smoother and quieter.
Just wondering if this is a placebo effect or if new oil does make an engine smoother and quieter?
Assuming same oil is used, and OCI is reasonable.
Since I have no scientific basis for it I would say placebo, bhuut when I go long intervals it does sound like my engine has a raspy 911 type sound but it sprints quick. When I change it out the sound is much quieter and takes a little longer to get off the line. Thats just me. Plus my car also seems to drive faster after I wash it, my wife thinks I am crazy.
After I do an oil change on a car it feels smoother and quieter.
Just wondering if this is a placebo effect or if new oil does make an engine smoother and quieter?
Assuming same oil is used, and OCI is reasonable.
Since I have no scientific basis for it I would say placebo, bhuut when I go long intervals it does sound like my engine has a raspy 911 type sound but it sprints quick. When I change it out the sound is much quieter and takes a little longer to get off the line. Thats just me. Plus my car also seems to drive faster after I wash it, my wife thinks I am crazy.
Originally Posted By: Trav
Just a guess but oil changes are usually done on a warm engine with thinned out warm oil, now you go putting ambient temp oil in the warm engine.
It may well make the engine quieter for a few minutes until it thins out from engine heat.
Makes heaps of sense...
Just a guess but oil changes are usually done on a warm engine with thinned out warm oil, now you go putting ambient temp oil in the warm engine.
It may well make the engine quieter for a few minutes until it thins out from engine heat.
Makes heaps of sense...
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