Comprehensive Guide to Red Line Fluids & Additives for Your Ford Ranger

Comprehensive Guide to Red Line Fluids & Additives for Your Ford Ranger

 

1.   Engine Oil

Use Red Line’s ester-based synthetics to maximize wear protection, deposit control, and thermal stability under load. The engine requires 7 litres and with Red Line change every 12000 to 15000 kms.

 

Red Line offers fully synthetic, ester-enhanced motor oils designed for superior film strength and temperature stability.

• Product: Red Line 5W-30 Motor Oil
• Base stocks: Polyalphaolefin (PAO) + esters
• Capacity:
• 2.3 L EcoBoost: 6 litres with filter
• 4.0 L SOHC: 5 litres with filter
• Service interval: 8,000–12000 kms or annual, whichever comes first
• Key benefit: Excellent shear stability and wear protection under load

5W-30 Engine Oils

Brand	Base Stock			Interval	Highlight
Red Line 5W-30	PAO + Ester			10,000 kms	High film strength

2.   Gearbox & Transmission Fluids

 

2.1 Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)

Ranger owners on 4×4 forums highlight Red Line 75W-140 in differentials for cooler diff temps, and zero seal leakage under heavy towing.

 

• Product: Red Line D4 ATF
• Specs: Matches Ford MERCON V/ULV
• Capacity:
• 10R80 10-speed (2019–2020): 12 litres
• Changing interval: 100000kms (drain & refill every 50,000 kms if towing)
• Benefit: Stable friction curve, low-temp fluidity

2.2 Manual Transmission & Transfer Case

 

• Product: Red Line 75W-85 GL-4 Gear Oil
• Capacity (manual trans): ≈ 500mls
• Interval: Change every 50000kms
• Benefit: Clutch-friendly friction modifier, excellent thermal stability

Comparison: ATF & Manual Gear Oils

Application	Brand	Viscosity	Price/Qt	Spec Met	Note
ATF	Red Line D4	Multi-grade	$9	MERCON V/ULV	High shear stability

3.   Brake Fluid

 

Many recommend stocking Red Line brake fluid RL-600 for trail braking on off-road trips, praising the firm, consistent pedal feel and minimal fading on repeated stops.

 

Specification	Ford OEM (DOT 3/4)	Red Line RL-600 DOT 4
Dry Boiling Point	230 °C (DOT 4)	316°C
Wet Boiling Point	155 °C (DOT 4)	204 °C
Hygroscopic Rate	High	Reduced
Pedal Feel (fade)	Soft under extreme use	Firm, consistent
Service Interval	2 years or 40 000 km	2 years or 40 000 km

 

• Product: Red Line Hi-Temp DOT 4 Brake Fluid
• Capacity: ~ 350ml reservoir
• Change interval: Every 2 years or per track use
• Boil points

·         Dry: 316°C

• Wet: 201°C
• Benefit: High wet boil point for fade resistance

High-Performance Brake Fluid

Brand	Type				Specialty
Red Line Hi-Temp	DOT 4				Seal-swelling additives

4.   Fuel Additives

 

Why Use Fuel Additives?

• They scrub deposits from injectors, rings, and valves, restoring factory spray patterns and compression.
• Lubricity agents protect high-pressure pumps and O-rings in low-sulfur fuels.
• Cetane or octane boosters improve ignition quality, trimming knock and idle roughness.

Corrosion inhibitors and water dispersants safeguard tanks, lines, and fuel rails

Diesel Engines: 85 Plus Fuel Enhancer

Feature	Benefit	Data Point
High-temp Detergents	Dissolve carbon and varnish in injectors & rings	Dyno shows > 5 % power lift
Lubricity Additives	Protect pump and injector seals	John Deere test + 4.2 % power
Cetane Booster	Faster, cleaner burn	Easier cold starts, less smoke
Water Dispersant & Rust Inhibitor	Keeps tanks and lines dry-safe	Prevents corrosion and microbial growth
Fuel-Economy Gain	Lower consumption under real-world loads	NZ trial: 8 % fuel savings

Maintenance Savings

• Cleaner injectors mean fewer professional cleanings or rebuild.
• Better lubricity extends life of lift-pumps and high-pressure components.
• Reduced soot load can stretch DPF intervals and cut back on regen cycles.
• Diesel users can see 5–8 % fuel economy gains and fewer injector or pump failures.
•  

Dosage: One 455 mL bottle treats up to 380 litres of diesel. Repeat every 8 000–10 000 km or with every filter change.

Petrol Engines: Redline Complete fuel system cleaner S1-1

Before/Without Additive	After/With Redline Additive
Sluggish throttle response	Restored throttle sharpness
Lower fuel efficiency	Noticeable MPG improvement
Excess friction, rough operation	Smoother, quieter running
Elevated engine temperatures	Reduced operating temps via cleaner combustion
Carbon sludge in passages	Cleaner internals, better oil flow
Frequent minor repairs and downtimes	Longer component life, fewer shop visits.

One bottle treats 60 liters.

Maintenance Savings

• Cleaner injectors mean fewer professional cleanings or rebuilds.
• Better lubricity extends life of lift-pumps and high-pressure components.
• Reduced soot load can stretch DPF intervals and cut back on regen cycles.
• Diesel users can see 5–8 % fuel economy gains and fewer injector or pump failures.
•  

 

Fuel Additives

Product				Key Feature
Red Line System Clean-Up				Deep varnish removal

5.   WaterWetter Cooling Additive

 

Add one bottle of Red Line Water Wetter at each coolant service (every 2 years or 40 000 km) to lower operating temps by 10–15 °C.

Red Line WaterWetter

30 mls/litre

Has the best heat transfer gain of any coolant additive on the market.

Pressure-test the cooling system annually—diesel engines run hotter and stress hoses, radiator, and seals more.

Or use Red Line Super Cool with the added antifreeze.

Replace coolant hoses every 5 years or at first signs of cracking.

The cooling system requires 9 litres

Property		Red Line Water Wetter
Base Fluid		Same + proprietary surfactants
Heat Transfer Improvement		Reduces coolant temp by 10 – 15 °C
Corrosion Protection		Meets ASTM D3306 + enhanced
Dosage		1 bottle (118 mL) per 4 L–5 L
Service Interval		Each coolant change

• Product: Red Line WaterWetter
• Dosage: 30 mls per litre of coolant
• Benefit: Increases heat transfer by up to 30 %, reduces hot spots
• Service: Add at every coolant change or before track use

6. Power Steering Fluid

• Product: Red Line Power Steering Fluid
• Specs: Meets Ford ESW-M2C33-F / MERCON V
• Capacity: 1 litre (fills reservoir)
• Interval: Inspect level every oil change; replace every 80,000 kms
• Benefit: Enhanced seal conditioning, quieter operation

 

Brand	Type		Seal Care
Red Line PS Fluid	Synthetic ATF base		Proprietary seal additive

THE KEY BENEFITS OF USING REDLINE PRODUCTS IN YOUR RANGER

Red Line fluids protect your engine and driveline better, last longer between services, resist breakdown under heat and pressure, and deliver more consistent performance across every system in your Ranger.

 

1.      Exceptional Thermal and Oxidation Stability

o    Ester-based formulations create a stronger, more heat-resistant film than straight PAO or mineral blends.

o    Your oil, ATF, or gear lube stays on-spec in extreme desert heat, towing climbs, or track sessions—reducing varnish and sludge.

2.      Superior Wear Protection

o    Proprietary anti-wear additives (zinc, phosphorus, boron compounds) bonded with esters build a resilient tribofilm on bearings, cams, and gears.

o    You’ll see lower metal-on-metal wear rates in lab tests and real-world fleet mileage.

3.      Outstanding Shear Stability

o    Red Line’s high shear-strength esters hold viscosity under high loads, so 75W-90 and 75W-140 oils don’t thin out in your diffs or manual gearbox.

o    Maintains proper film thickness on synchronizers and gear teeth over long drain intervals.

4.      Extended Drain Intervals

o    Cleaner-running additives and superior oxidation resistance let you safely push drains to 12 000–15 000 km (engine) or 60 000 km (transmission), without dropping performance.

o    Fewer oil changes save time and cut waste.

5.      Enhanced Fuel Economy & Shift Quality

o    Low-viscosity ATFs (D-6 series) improve torque converter lock-up, trimming parasitic losses.

o    Manual transmissions feel crisper, thanks to optimized friction modifiers that aid synchro action.

6.      Exceptional Corrosion & Deposit Control

o    High TBN (total base number) in diesel oils neutralizes acidic by-products of combustion.

o    Brake fluids like RL-600 resist moisture uptake and vapor lock, keeping pedal feel sharp under repeated heavy stops.

7.      Seal & Gasket Compatibility

o    All formulas are fully seal-safe, preventing leaks or hardening even after years of use.

o    No need to swap seals when upgrading fluids.

8.      Temperature-Lowering Coolant Additive

o    Water Wetter cuts operating temps by up to 10–15 °C, easing stress on head gaskets and turbochargers—critical for diesel towing or hot-climate duty.

9.