Mobil 1 5w-20 vs. Redline 5w-20

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My friend has an 05 Civic EX with about 26k on it. He's used M1 since new after the break in oil. He wants his engine to basically last forever. So I was wondering if it would be worthwhile to use Redline on his car, or maybe something else? Next oil change we need to do an oil analysis to see where he's at. What do you guys think?
 
That's the question of the century. Does Redline oil actually reduce wear compared to other synthetics? I've yet to read anything saying yes but anecdotes and by noting the higher levels of antiwear additives. Those saying no reference UOAs that usually indicate otherwise, but UOAs aren't good at detecting that. Engine teardowns are but who does that? People who don't post the results on the internet!
 
M1 would be fine, Redline I don't know would be any better. Get UOA's on both at around 5000 to 7000 miles and see what turns up.
 
I've used M1 0w-20 in my 2005 Accord. Worked great. I'm now using RL 5w-20. I drive very hard. I've noticed less burn off with Redline. I wouldn't just go by UOA's as there is more to it than that. Both are excellent and both will keep your engine spotless. If he uses RL, order from www.myoilshop.com
 
I use Mobil 1 0W-20 in our 2004 Honda Element, great mileage, engine performance, and zero consumption over 50K of use since new.

If this car was driven harder, I'd use Redline 5W-20. Redline is better oil in my opinion.
 
I spoke with Redline today, and learned something interesting.

Redline continues to improve the additive package on a regular basis, and the base stock is 100% Polyol Ester.
 
Redlines 5W20 is the best 5W20 available at an affordable price in my opion. The only problem you might have is that Redline has very power cleaning action by oil standards. So usualy the first 2-3 runs of Redline will show elavated wear metals due to the cleaning action. Once you have run it 2-3 times the UOA usualy come out looking great! On the other hand this vechile is so low milage that your first UOA even if you run Redline might still look great. If I ever wanted to run a 5W20 it would have to be Redline 5W20 or Fuchs.

Honda also has been running a new lead matrix on all of their vechiles that recomend 5W20 so this might also reduce how much old oxiditzed lead their is for Redline to clean up as well.

I say give it a try and if the UOA is slightly off simply run Redline again and retest!!!
 
Hey, gang.
Long time reader, first time poster.
I would definately go with Redline considering that it costs just a little more over Mobil 1.
UOA's are not of any indication for oil comparison purposes as far as wear goes.
Redline UOA's always show more wear metals due to this oil clearly superior cleaning properties.
 
quote:

Originally posted by Thatwouldbegreat:
Redline continues to improve the additive package on a regular basis, and the base stock is 100% Polyol Ester.

And you don't think other oils that have bigger research products don't improve their blends?

quote:

Originally posted by Thatwouldbegreat:
UOA's are not of any indication for oil comparison purposes as far as wear goes.

I doubt if you will get a lot of people here agreeing with this statement.
 
Redline will take high heat better and has more antiwear additives, namely zinc/phosphorus and moly. If he's going to drive it hard I would go with Redline for sure.
 
For a 2005 car, any 5W-20 I've seen will protect the engine just fine during the factory severe use OCI. If you take it out to the "normal" OCI or have an OLM. Then the top tier synthetic oils show their stuff. There are some simply amazing group III oils included in this group. Including of course: Amsoil 5W-20 XLM

All this talk of base oils (PAO vs. POE, etc) become a bit moot at 7500 mile or under OCI's. And items like why someone would argue shedding more metal is better and you can't judge an oil by an UOA turn into philosphocial/rhetorical debates.......
 
quote:

Including of course: Amsoil 5W-20 XLM

Well, of COURSE!!!
lol.gif


(kidding, Pablo!)
 
The Amsoil 5w-20 SL was a very good oil. Since they lowered the specs to SM/GF-4, I've noticed some shearing in some UOA's. Could just be a few isolated cases. The good thing about the RL is you're getting the protection of a 30wt oil. Extremely shear stable. Overkill, yes. Havoline 5w-20, GTX 5w-20, M1 5w-20 and MC 5w-20 are all excellent and readily available.
 
Probably not necessary, but just to play it safe I'd stick with an API certified oil for the duration of the warranty. I believe Amsoil meets that criterion, while Redline does not.

That said, I put RL 5W-20 in my '03 Honda at 25k and have not looked back. Great stuff.
 
Alcibiades wrote:
quote:

Probably not necessary, but just to play it safe I'd stick with an API certified oil for the duration of the warranty. I believe Amsoil meets that criterion, while Redline does not.

That said, I put RL 5W-20 in my '03 Honda at 25k and have not looked back. Great stuff.

In theory, Redline 5W-20 is impressive especially with HTHS rating of 3.09 v Mobil 1 at 2.62.

My concern however is lack of OEM approval for RL and semi-obsolete API certification of SL only. Mobil 1 offer current OEM approval, plus SM, GF-4 ratings and is readily available anywhere.
 
quote:

Originally posted by Iain:
Alcibiades wrote:
quote:

Probably not necessary, but just to play it safe I'd stick with an API certified oil for the duration of the warranty. I believe Amsoil meets that criterion, while Redline does not.

That said, I put RL 5W-20 in my '03 Honda at 25k and have not looked back. Great stuff.

In theory, Redline 5W-20 is impressive especially with HTHS rating of 3.09 v Mobil 1 at 2.62.

My concern however is lack of OEM approval for RL and semi-obsolete API certification of SL only. Mobil 1 offer current OEM approval, plus SM, GF-4 ratings and is readily available anywhere.


To add to your post, Mobil One is available for 4-6 dollars per quart vs whatever the costs for Amsoil and/Redline or other designer type oils.

The next question would be over say 250,000 miles do these "superior oils" make a statistical SIGNIFICANT difference. Is the increased cost component (4 per quart vs 7 per quart) worth the difference? Also even if they do; what would that mean? So a practical quesiton would be; would I pay more for your 250,000 mile used car if you used Redline vs Mobil One?

My basic reasons for using Mobil One (synthetic) 1 longer oci's
2. slightly better fuel mileage
3. less tendency to sludge especially with longer OCI's
4. runs slightly cooler
5. better protection longer and wider range

[ June 24, 2006, 03:23 PM: Message edited by: ruking77 ]
 
I'm running RL really for my own testing and curiousity. I will say though that the evaporation rate is better than any other oil I've used and I attribute that to the Esters. Plus, someone has to support the little guys.
 
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