Redline Oil in Prius

[Raybo]

I have been running Redline D6 atf in my 2007 Prius since I bought it new. Crazy good used oil analysis from Wearcheck showing virtually no wear.

Now at 70,000 miles been chasing the 1.5 motor top end noise for a while. It's not bad its just a clackity motor since new. The Gen 2 1.5 motor is a solid tappet engine with a timing chain.
Motor has spent most of its life on Mobil 1 10w30 as I live in Florida.

Tried Mobil 1 0w20 and it increased the top end noise and no noticeable increase in mpg.

While back decided to try Redline motor oil at 10-30 and very impressed.Top end noise greatly reduced and the motor feels much smoother. Much quieter all around. You don't really notice the engine screaming anymore when you punch it. And getting better mileage too.That's some crazy feeling stuff between your fingers too. Feels like liquid plastic. Much more slippier than M1. First product I have poured in an engine that I can actually feel results. Impressive.

Will pull a used oil analysis at 10,000.

 

[dparm]

Odd choice to use 10w30. Probably too thick for that motor.

 

[Raybo]

Manual says 30 weight.

The 0-20 was approved for the G3 and then the G2.

 

[OVERKILL]

Redline 10w30 has an HTHS of 3.5cP, it is like running the SM version of Mobil 1 0w-40. Mobil 1 10w30 is a much lighter oil in comparison.

 

[Raybo]

Getting better mileage with the Redline than when I was running Mobil 1 5w30 so can't be too much thicker.

Wife hit 47 mpg's yesterday on her commute.She mentioned it to me as that's rare for her.
She has never been able to break the 44-45 mark.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Raybo
Getting better mileage with the Redline than when I was running Mobil 1 5w30 so can't be too much thicker.

Wife hit 47 mpg's yesterday on her commute.She mentioned it to me as that's rare for her.
She has never been able to break the 44-45 mark.


It's that much thicker.

FWIW, Redline 5w30 is the only oil to ever cause my wife to notice a REDUCTION in gas mileage in our Expedition. And its had everything from Mobil 1 0w-20 to Delvac 1 5w-40 in it.

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL

Getting better mileage with the Redline than when I was running Mobil 1 5w30 so can't be too much thicker.

It's that much thicker.


Quoted for fact.

 

[CATERHAM]

I'm at a real loss as to why one wouldn't run TGMO 0W-20 in the Prius. It is after all the oil that was specifically designed for the lubrication demands of the Prius hybrid.
There is no oil (besides Sustina) that is going to maximize your fuel economy better for the Prius.

I've run a lot of Red Line oils including their 10w30, 5w30 and 5W-20.
TGMO 0W-20 and other high VI 0W-20s offers dramatically lower frictional oil drag compared to the higher viscosity Red Line and other oil brands. This is where the fuel savings comes from.

If the OP is noticing better fuel economy, it's not due to running heavier oil. There are so many factors that contribute to fuel economy, it's almost impossible for the consumer to reliably measure the difference just oil makes.
Heck, if just one tire was under inflated by 25% that could make more of a difference.

 

[Ben99GT]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: Raybo
Getting better mileage with the Redline than when I was running Mobil 1 5w30 so can't be too much thicker.

Wife hit 47 mpg's yesterday on her commute.She mentioned it to me as that's rare for her.
She has never been able to break the 44-45 mark.


It's that much thicker.

FWIW, Redline 5w30 is the only oil to ever cause my wife to notice a REDUCTION in gas mileage in our Expedition. And its had everything from Mobil 1 0w-20 to Delvac 1 5w-40 in it.


I consistently got demonstrably better mileage from Red Line 5W-20 (3.3 cP HTHS) than I did from API SM Pennzoil Platinum/Ultra/Mobil 1 5w30 (3.0-3.2 cP HTHS).

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Ben99GT
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: Raybo
Getting better mileage with the Redline than when I was running Mobil 1 5w30 so can't be too much thicker.

Wife hit 47 mpg's yesterday on her commute.She mentioned it to me as that's rare for her.
She has never been able to break the 44-45 mark.


It's that much thicker.

FWIW, Redline 5w30 is the only oil to ever cause my wife to notice a REDUCTION in gas mileage in our Expedition. And its had everything from Mobil 1 0w-20 to Delvac 1 5w-40 in it.


I consistently got demonstrably better mileage from Red Line 5W-20 (3.3 cP HTHS) than I did from API SM Pennzoil Platinum/Ultra/Mobil 1 5w30 (3.0-3.2 cP HTHS).


At least those are similar in HTHS though, LOL! The 5w30 is a fair bit heavier, and doesn't shear (one of Redline's forte's) which is likely why I saw the mileage penalty I did.

Of course you'll recall the oil did some cleaning as well

I was just surprised that of ALL the oils I've run in the truck, that's the only one that has impacted the gas mileage enough to make it noticeable.

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: Ben99GT
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: Raybo
Getting better mileage with the Redline than when I was running Mobil 1 5w30 so can't be too much thicker.

Wife hit 47 mpg's yesterday on her commute.She mentioned it to me as that's rare for her.
She has never been able to break the 44-45 mark.


It's that much thicker.

FWIW, Redline 5w30 is the only oil to ever cause my wife to notice a REDUCTION in gas mileage in our Expedition. And its had everything from Mobil 1 0w-20 to Delvac 1 5w-40 in it.


I consistently got demonstrably better mileage from Red Line 5W-20 (3.3 cP HTHS) than I did from API SM Pennzoil Platinum/Ultra/Mobil 1 5w30 (3.0-3.2 cP HTHS).

And how much was the better mileage?
And when you switched to Red Line 0w30 IIRC your mileage improved further?

 

[jrustles]

Dear Raybo, your experience is wrong!! THE HTHS IS TOO HIGH! It's really all placebo and environmental variables!!!1

whoopwhoopwhoopwhoopwhoop

Quote:

Liquids whose molecules are polar or can form hydrogen bonds are usually more viscous than similar non-polar substances.

Better mileage, eh?
Better noise attenuation, huh?

Maybe less time in ML/BL due to stronger film strength, at least partially indicated by that evil HTHS and POE polarity. Some reduction of friction is happening, and it ain't viscosity-related-- or is it?