Improved ride quality with synthetic oil?

[pounamu]

Just got my first oil change (synthetic, Mobil 1) and I've noticed that the car rides.. smoother. It's hard to describe. Does better quality oil have any impact on how the car drives, and not just the internal mechanics? I'm just curious if it's because of the oil or because the mechanics tinkered with the car a bit to address the shaking / vibration issues. This "smoother" feeling is actually separate from the lowered vibration levels.

 

[Italianjoe1]

Placebo effect.

Did they possibly rotate or balance the tires? Maybe you had too much air pressure and they lowered it a bit, making the car feel smoother?

 

[ahtoxa]

Yeah, new, different or fresh oil will not show any noticeable drivability change as felt by the driver.

 

[Sonic]

Unless they poured the Mobil 1 into your shocks, it's all in your head. Or, as someone mentioned, maybe tire pressure was corrected.

 

[pounamu]

Heh, placebo effect must be right

They did inspect the car for the excessive vibration / shaking issue, but said they couldn't replicate either. They did however take out the spark plugs even though they said they were spaced correctly to begin with. I'm guessing that doing that, plus them probably running some sort of software check / correction according to the bulletin, must have helped. The car is definitely vibrating a lot less (though I can still feel it somewhat).

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

Hey pounamu,

Glad to hear the vibration is better. Keep us posted if anything changes.

Jonathan A. (Assisting Jackie)
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[SuperFudd]

I noticed having oil changed has a positive affect on my '94 rustic green Sundance. It may be because the oil was down 1/2 quart before and overfilled 1/2 quart after, improving oil preasure in the hydraulic valve lifters.

 

[Opticon]

'94 RUSTic green Sundance.

I lol'd

 

[Preloader]

'94 rustic green Sundance.

I lol'd

I've seen it. I assure you, the pun was intended.

 

[Opticon]

I am familiar with ChryCo's EPA-friendly paint selection from the mid 80s to the mid 90s. As they age the colors become less primary and more of a sparse accent to the sealer and rust tones.

And since all of mine have been turbocharged, I call it the "windburned" look.