joebrez

After reading many of the discussions on here about Redline’s EsterBased oil, I decided to try.

To give some background, I’m very Pro-Synthetics and my G has always had them. Prior to becoming an Amsoil Dealer last year(due to the customer demand), I was a big fan of Pennzoil Ultra & Platinumdue to their great performing UOA’s (UOA’s that I ran with Blackstone).
Upon switching to Amsoil last year, I did notice that theengine seemed to run smoother. As with alot of larger displacement V-6s, there was always a harshness noise close toredline, no matter what oil I used. Addin there has always been a slight valve train tick at idle, if I was next to awall or in a garage.


So, onto my Redline observation. First, the engine like others have mentionedis MUCH quieter. That typical valve tick iscompletely absent. Additionally, theengine seems to be slightly less harsh near redline. Not night and day, but noticeable. Now, on to the negative: My MPG has reduced by about 5% (I am 95% HWY). This car has been very consistent in fuelmileage, until now. This really surprised me, since one of thebenefits listed by using Ester based oils is HP and MPG. I haven’t noticed any change in performance/power.

I didn't intend for this to be yet another discussion about oil, only reporting my experience with it.

04G35NYC

I recently started using Redline as well and my miles actually increased. My engine noise is not there anymore, because it was making sounds like it was knocking and after using this oil all the noises are gone and i feel like the engine runs way smoother.

bigmike35nj

iTrader: (4)

Are you guys using the 5w 30 or 0w 30?

joebrez

I stayed with 5W30

joebrez

The reduction in gas mileage maybe contributed to the increased viscosity of Redline vs. Amsoil.

joebrez

Ok, so I've been driving the crap out the car over the last week, and I think I need to retract the reduced gas mileage. It took a few tankful's, but now the mileage has jumped back and exceeded my previous benchmarks. The last tank averaged 24.4.

Also, the more miles that it's been in three, the quieter and smoother the car has gotten. It does pull harder also. It always seemed to have this small off idle "lag"or dip in power, nothing major at all, but I could tell. Thought it was just the engine. It's gone. The engine seems as lively as ever.

Truth be told I didn't want to be able to tell, so I could go back to a more affordable oil. Now I can't. There is just too much positive going on ;-).

I try to look at it this way. It'll be about $60 a oil change vs 40 for Amsoil. Is it really worth it $40 a year? Nope, not in my eyes.

joebrez

So, with all the talk on the Z Forums and BITIOG about Mobil 1 0w40 being great (and very thin for a 40 weight) in the VQ37VHR and the latest MIR from Mobil 1, I decided to try it. After Rebate it was about $10.00.
My last OC was using Amsoil XL 5w30. Honestly, after previously running Redline 5W30, the engine sounded almost cheap and unrefined with Amsoil. Kind of shocking actually. The car just felt different. I digress, back to M1 0w40. Right after putting it in I noticed it was better. Smooth and refined , just like with Redline. The valve train “tick tick tick” was completely gone. The exhaust even sounds a bit different. Throttle response is smoother and more responsive. I know the VVEL system controls the air/fuel/engine speed and the throttle bodies are essentially there for “fail safe” purposes. Maybe it’s the Esters that allow the VVEL to operate more efficiently and provide better /smoother throttle response? Just kind of spit balling here. I will definitely be continuing to run either M1-040 or RL5w30, as the engine just feels very happy overall.
I do know that Rl is a thicker 5w30 and M1 is a thin 0w40, so maybe it’ll all a viscosity thing. Amsoil is a very thin 5w30.

Just some comparables (from BITOG)
Redline 5W-30: 62 cST @40C
Mobil 1 5W-30: 61.7 cST @40C
Amsoil 5W-30: 60.3 cST@ 40C
Mobil 1 0W-40: 65 cST @40C
Castrol 0W-40: 75.7 CST @40C

As you can see, 0w40 is close to a 30 and isn’t much thinner than their own 5W30!

I haven't noticed any change in Gas Mileage.

Ape Factory

iTrader: (3)

Subscribed. Looking hard at Royal Purple too as I had great success running a high hp rotary with it. Using the dealer-installed synthetic currently and I still hear the tick on hot restart. Goes away but would like to find something decent and change the oil myself.

ANMVQ

iTrader: (13)

I'm changing mine to Red-line this weekend 5w/30, with Z1 magnetic drain plug

ANMVQ

iTrader: (13)

I did change mine to the Redline 5/30 synthetic a few weeks ago and the motor was noticeably more quite. Very happy

Ape Factory

iTrader: (3)

I switched to Royal Purple last weekend when installed a Z1 magnetic drain plug (easily worth 10hp right there) and have to admit, the engine is much smoother and more quiet, even on hot restarts. I'm saving almost $40 an oil change doing it this way vs. the dealer with the Nissan synthetic.

Randy Johnson

iTrader: (1)

Wow 24.4 miles per gallon. That is amazing. Your house must be built on the freeway.

tank99

iTrader: (1)

You've convinced me to start using red line. I haven't had to do a change yet, but I'm getting there quickly. What is your change interval? Can ester handle 7500 miles? I drive 60 miles a day and at this cost would like to limit changes to twice a year max.

Ape Factory

iTrader: (3)

Can probably handle 7500 miles but the oil filter can't, too small. Change it halfway through. I'd still go by the dealer-recommended intervals however. Maybe get your oil checked via blackstone before and after the first 7500 mile interval. Schedule 1 and 2 state 3750 miles for oil change.

tank99

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the reply! I'll consider redline even though that would require 4 changes a year following the recommended...