hokiemax

I can almost swear that the tranny feels smoother after an oil change. It shifts so much smoother. Is my head playing tricks or do you think there is something to it?

I've been thinking that the car could feel smoother after an oil change because the new oil could change the harmonic/acoustic characteristic of the car and we perceive the change as a smoother car or a transmission. What do you think?

sleekblackroadster

probably just cause the engine is reving smoother but who knows some places will check all your fluids and top off the ones that are low. if you're tranny fluid hasn't been changed in a while maybe thats what happened? probably just placebo tho homie.. i swear my car behaves like a brand new car right after oil changes.. filling up the tank with gas.. even washing it.. noises go away and everything seems smoother.. paranoia sets in on the other hand whenever things are low or need changing and the whole car seems like its about to fall apart. probably all in our heads

xviper

As lubricants age, they don't "lubricate" as well as when they were new. Additives degrade and disappear. So, it goes to reason that fresh fluid will give better lubrication and protection against wear, friction, etc. So it feels "smoother". What's the surprise in this?

oakfloor

yeah I can tell it shifts better with new gear oil, what gear oil did you put in?

KAGED

I think he meant after an engine oil change his tranny feels like it shifts smoother.

I noticed this too for a while, shortly after switching to mobil 1.

xviper

My bad! I read it the wrong way. In this case, it's in your heads.

lyndon_h

I've also noticed this

Gernby

If you are talking about the engine oil, and not the tranny oil, then it is probably shifting smoother for the same reason it shifts smoother after washing it. I find that just about everything on the car works better after a good washing, oil change, couple beers, sex, expensive modification, etc.

xviper

I must give this one my fullest attention and research. The acquisition of data will be most critical.

Gernby

I assure you, my results are quite clear and extensive.