Red Line Oils- why they're better

[gsxr1100]

Amsoil has a XL-7500 series oil but it is a hydrocrack dino (group 3). It was at one time a PAO (group 4) but they toned it down since it cost too much. This series of oil states “7,500-mile/6-month oil change intervals or longer where stated by vehicle manufacturers or indicated by electronic oil life monitoring systems”. It is used as a “stepping stone” for people to get out of the money maker 3K drain and go a little longer. Then the people can step-up to there best/better oils and go even longer. Baby steps here since people hate change. Plus it [XL series] is API cert for all the API lovers out there.

Next is there is no magic here. It is basic additives and basestocks that make an oil work. It is not magic at all but most people do not want to pay for this “magic”. No such thing as a free ride in life. “Magic” cost money and most time these products are not every store out there so people dislike them.

There “spin” on Amsoil is that yes you can go longer. But you do NOT need to test there oil. Yes any group 4 or 5 SHOULD be able to (not saying synthetic here since it can be a group 3). But it depends on several factors too (adds in the oil). What gets me is that Redline clearly states, “We recommend draining the oil between 12,000 and 18,000 miles & Amsoil states “In personal cars and light-duty trucks with non-turbocharged gasoline engines: drain oil at 25,000 miles or one-year intervals, whichever comes first.”. At the max case I can go 28% longer with Amsoil and it cost less from the start.

To close Redline is a great oil, but the high initial cost and the low drain hinder its’ use with me. Also I would test the oil too since there is more to oil testing then “checking the oil to go longer” too.

[crashz]

What hasn't been mentioned is that Redline is one of a very few products that is Grp V based. Group 5 is an ester based oil, giving great solubility and that ability to cling to metal parts like nothing else. Its balanced with a little PAO (GrpIV like Amsoil and Mobil 1) to avoid excessive seal swelling and softening. Its cleaning and lubricating ability is second to none, however it is very dificult for labs to test from what I've seen.

In my opinion its a great oil, and I would use it in everything if I could afford to. But reality is that you can get close to the same performance out of a GrpIV based oil at almost half the cost. And If I were to fill my daily driver up with Redline, I'd have more $$ in the truck (literally) than its worth. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif[/img]

[TractorLegend]

I appreciate your observations.
Where is half the cost an issue?
RedLine is about 6.80~ a quart in Seattle are.
Is Amsoil's good stuff 3.40 a qt.somewhere?

[getut]

Not that I know of.. but it is $3.88 online straight from Amsoil as a preferred customer (when bought in 2 2.5 gallon containers at a time for HD Diesel and Marine 15w-40 which is what I use in everything I have including gas engine cars). Thats close enough to half for me.

[crashz]

Well it was a rough half. Around here I've seen Redline go for about $9 a quart, where as Mobil1 is usually around $4.50 - $5 a qrt.

Without a doubt I would spend the money on Redline if I could, but frankly there isn't an enigne I own that deseves $50 worth of oil or more. Here's why:

The John Deere just doesn't get many hours on it. I'm guessing about 40 -50 a year. So I'd rather dump the oil each year with a quality dino oil and not receive the benefits of long term use of Redline. Due to water and soot in the oil, I'd be forced to drain roughly once a year anyway (or so I'd be comfortable with).

My one ton has a motor that is already in rough shape. No oil will cure it, and I have plans to replace the engine with a 5.9L Cummins out of a Dodge. It also does not run very often, maybe 2000 miles a yr. Again - no need for Redline. Once the Cummins goes in, well thats another story... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

My daily driver is a 2001 F150. I like the truck, but should've never bought a 1/2 ton with a V6. My mistake. I do run M1 in it, because I like the thought of having a synthetic in the crankcase, it makes me think its more reliable.

[gsxr1100]

Even Mobil at $5 is too high! Unless it is there EP oil. Even then I have seen tests (from there EP) that are really low for the miles on the oil.

I spend $45 for the year on my Lexus, $20 for my gsxr1100 and $30 for my BX22; all year long drains...Amsoil is cheap by my numbers.

Redline is a great oil but not worth the high price around here.

[cp1969]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Redline is a great oil but not worth the high price around here. )</font>
That's the logic a lot of us use when comparing dino to any synthetic. Great oil...not worth the high price.

[Dargo]

It all depends on the value of what you are putting it in. If it isn't worth much, I agree.

[cp1969]

Your Lexus isn't worth the very best?

[Dargo]

I don't have a Lexus. Too rich for my blood. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]