Originally Posted By: JAG
I too noticed that Red Line 5w30 makes my 1.8T GTI start more quickly than other oils I've used. I don't think it's a compression thing...I think it causes a lower frictional resistance to turning over so it spins faster while the starter is working.
I agree with Jag here and would add that I wonder if the polar esters cling to metal surfaces longer which may impact this.
Two observations in my experience: In my old 2000 boxster S, I immediately noticed the cranking speed change when switching from M1 0w40 to RL 5w40. The engine probably did start a little sooner too but it was definitely a slightly higher rpm when cranking that I immediately noticed.
In my 08 GTI, I immediately noticed a change in how fast the turbo spools when switching from factory fill (which was a 30 weight as I recall after 5k miles) to RL 5W40. This was most noticeable because the tires would spin when pulling from a stop sign even though I drove it the same way as before. I would attribute this to increased lubricity, despite the RL being thicker (15.1cst) than the Factory fill(high 11ish cst as I recall).
A third observation is I briefly tried Brad Penn 10w40 (a semi-synthetic 14.9 cst) in the GTI and it turned the car into a complete slug. Turbo spool up was very sluggish and felt like a completely different car.
Please note that the Boxster S example used RL5w40 with moly (old formula) while the GTi used RL 5w40 without moly (new formula). I personally would not attribute the lubricity gains to moly. i say this also because I used RL 5w30 last fill and RL 10w40 this fill which both have moly and there is no noticeable change in spool up vs. the 5w40. The moly may be less effective as a friction modifier than in some other formulations and large doses may be required due to surface competition with the esters. I also currently am curious as to whether too many sulphur containing additives contribute to corrosive wear as shpankey alluded too above.
I too noticed that Red Line 5w30 makes my 1.8T GTI start more quickly than other oils I've used. I don't think it's a compression thing...I think it causes a lower frictional resistance to turning over so it spins faster while the starter is working.
I agree with Jag here and would add that I wonder if the polar esters cling to metal surfaces longer which may impact this.
Two observations in my experience: In my old 2000 boxster S, I immediately noticed the cranking speed change when switching from M1 0w40 to RL 5w40. The engine probably did start a little sooner too but it was definitely a slightly higher rpm when cranking that I immediately noticed.
In my 08 GTI, I immediately noticed a change in how fast the turbo spools when switching from factory fill (which was a 30 weight as I recall after 5k miles) to RL 5W40. This was most noticeable because the tires would spin when pulling from a stop sign even though I drove it the same way as before. I would attribute this to increased lubricity, despite the RL being thicker (15.1cst) than the Factory fill(high 11ish cst as I recall).
A third observation is I briefly tried Brad Penn 10w40 (a semi-synthetic 14.9 cst) in the GTI and it turned the car into a complete slug. Turbo spool up was very sluggish and felt like a completely different car.
Please note that the Boxster S example used RL5w40 with moly (old formula) while the GTi used RL 5w40 without moly (new formula). I personally would not attribute the lubricity gains to moly. i say this also because I used RL 5w30 last fill and RL 10w40 this fill which both have moly and there is no noticeable change in spool up vs. the 5w40. The moly may be less effective as a friction modifier than in some other formulations and large doses may be required due to surface competition with the esters. I also currently am curious as to whether too many sulphur containing additives contribute to corrosive wear as shpankey alluded too above.
