How many miles before your truck “Woke up”?

Grumpy Bear · December 24, 2019

10 hours ago, protovack said:

its rather straightforward. There is a lot more friction inside a new motor than an old one, not to mention the axles, transmission, differential, bearings, etc. As they say, an engine runs best the day before it dies. There is usually a point at which you "notice" the decrease in friction, for me typically around 10-12k miles. It's a nice feeling because you look back and remember what it felt like driving off the lot, and now it feels better. It's part of what creates a bond with a particular vehicle. If you've "broken it in" then I find it hard to let go of.

Bingo!

There is what you can feel and there is what can be measured. If you can buy into the idea that fuel efficiency will increase as mechanical efficiency rises then by that measure it took Pepper 85,000 miles to 'wake up". That is peak in fuel efficiency. That's about double all previous experiences. My TC-88 took 40,000 to peak. That's about my average. Honda's Buicks ditto.

Can I feel the difference? Yes and No. AFM is on more of the time and at colder temperatures so yes I can sense it but feel it as some step of power? Nope. I need 15 to 20 hp. for the butt dyno to give me a poke.

protovack · December 26, 2019

Hmm. I can feel it. But I'm extremely sensitive to small variations in sensory stimuli. I can hear the tiniest rattle, sense the smallest change in power, etc. If I change tires and they are a few pounds heavier on each wheel, it is obvious to me. It feels heavier and my brain tells me that I have to press the gas pedal just that tiny 3 millimeters more to get the same acceleration. This, of course, is only if I own the car and have driven it for a while.

Grumpy Bear · December 26, 2019

8 hours ago, protovack said:

Hmm. I can feel it. But I'm extremely sensitive to small variations in sensory stimuli. I can hear the tiniest rattle, sense the smallest change in power, etc. If I change tires and they are a few pounds heavier on each wheel, it is obvious to me. It feels heavier and my brain tells me that I have to press the gas pedal just that tiny 3 millimeters more to get the same acceleration. This, of course, is only if I own the car and have driven it for a while.

My wife is like that. No need for a TPMS in the car. 2 PSI low and she's all over it. But she not that good.