Although Red Line Oil is touted as a top-notch extended drain synthetic oil, oil analysis results show that, at least in passenger vehicle applications, it may not be useful for extended drains. The following oil analysis reports (both from March of 98) were performed on two different vehicles, and you will notice that these analyses were performed after relatively short periods of oil use.
Moreover, both of these vehicles have very limited mileage and are fairly new models. We would like to point out, though, that these are only two vehicles. This is not a large enough sample to draw any true scientific conclusions about Red Line synthetic oils. In addition, these oil analysis results do not necessarily have any bearing upon the usefulness of Red Line oils for racing applications.
Each analysis shows basically the same results: excessive wear metal content, low tbn value, excessive oxidation percentage and Molybdenum levels which are "over range". These results would seem to indicate that after a fairly short oil drain interval the Red Line Oil used in each of these applications is showing unacceptable levels of oil degradation, and the Polyolester base stock seems to be reacting negatively with the aluminum and lead materials in the engine.
In addition, the "over range" Molybdenum levels indicate that Red Line may be using a solid extreme pressure additive in its oils. Although this may be useful (but is not necessary with top-quality basestocks) in racing applications where metal components of an engine may be more likely to come in contact with each other, it is not necessary in a passenger car engine and can actually be harmful to the engine. This would make sense, otherwise there would be no reason for the lab to indicate the levels of Molybdenum to be "over range".
The test results for each of the three vehicles can
Moreover, both of these vehicles have very limited mileage and are fairly new models. We would like to point out, though, that these are only two vehicles. This is not a large enough sample to draw any true scientific conclusions about Red Line synthetic oils. In addition, these oil analysis results do not necessarily have any bearing upon the usefulness of Red Line oils for racing applications.
Each analysis shows basically the same results: excessive wear metal content, low tbn value, excessive oxidation percentage and Molybdenum levels which are "over range". These results would seem to indicate that after a fairly short oil drain interval the Red Line Oil used in each of these applications is showing unacceptable levels of oil degradation, and the Polyolester base stock seems to be reacting negatively with the aluminum and lead materials in the engine.
In addition, the "over range" Molybdenum levels indicate that Red Line may be using a solid extreme pressure additive in its oils. Although this may be useful (but is not necessary with top-quality basestocks) in racing applications where metal components of an engine may be more likely to come in contact with each other, it is not necessary in a passenger car engine and can actually be harmful to the engine. This would make sense, otherwise there would be no reason for the lab to indicate the levels of Molybdenum to be "over range".
The test results for each of the three vehicles can
