Comprehensive Red Line Maintenance Guide for Toyota Hilux (Petrol & Diesel)

1. Engine Oil

Petrol Hilux

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.

Specification	Toyota OEM (0W-20 / 5W-30)	Red Line High-Performance 5W-30	Red Line 10W-30 Ester Synthetic
Base Stocks	PAO + mineral blend	50% ester + 50% PAO	30% ester + 70% PAO
Cold-start Viscosity	Excellent (0W-20)	Superior	Very good (10W-30)
High-temp Film	Good	Outstanding	Excellent
Wear Protection	Meets API SN	Exceeds API SN/SM	Exceeds API SN/SM
Drain Interval	10 000 km	12 000 – 15 000 km	12 000 – 15 000 km
Typical Use Case	Daily driving	Towing, high-load, off-road	Moderate-load, long-drain

Diesel Hilux

• Use Red Line 15W-40 Diesel Motor Oil and change every 12 000 to 15000 km or 6 months.
• Install a high-efficiency spin-on oil filter (OEM-spec) at each oil change.
• Inspect the drain plug magnet for metallic debris—early warning of wear.

Diesel engines benefit from Red Line’s high-detergent formulations for soot control and acid neutralization.

Specification	Toyota OEM (5W-30)	Red Line 15W-40 Diesel Motor Oil
Base Stocks	PAO + mineral blend	40% ester + 60% PAO
Soot Control	Meets CJ-4	Exceeds CJ-4, improved soot dispersion
TBN (mg KOH/g)	~10	~11
High-temp Stability	Good	Superior
Drain Interval	10 000 km	12 000 km
Typical Use Case	High-compression duty cycle	Heavy towing, extended drain

2. Transmission Fluid

Manual Transmission

Manual Trans / Transfer requires 3 litres

every 80 000 km

MT-90 GL-4 for crisp shifts.

Protect synchros and ensure crisp shifts with a GL-4 formula.

Transmission Type	Toyota OEM (75W-85 GL-4)	Red Line MT85 or MT-90 (75W-90 GL-4)
Synchro Compatibility	Approved	Superior smoothness
Shear Stability	Moderate	High
Friction Modifier	OEM additive	Proprietary ester blend
Shift Quality	Good	Excellent
Service Interval	80 000 km	80 000 km

Automatic Transmission

Choose based on climate and duty cycle.

ATF Variant	Toyota OEM WS ATF	Red Line D-6 ATF	Red Line High-Temp ATF
Fuel Economy	Good	Best for economy	Good
High-temp Stability	Moderate	Very good	Outstanding
Friction Stability	OEM spec	Enhanced	Enhanced
Towing/Load Use	Light	Light to moderate	Heavy (towing/off-road)
Drain Interval	60 000 km	60 000 km	60 000 km

·         Diesel drivers appreciate the 15W-40 motor oil for improved soot control and extended DPF regeneration intervals, reporting cleaner oil analyses after 12 000 km.

3. Differential Lubricant

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

 

 

Front/Rear Diff	1.2 LITRES EACH			80 000 km	Red Line75W-90 or 75W-140 GL-5
Component		Toyota OEM (75W-90 GL-5)				Red Line 75W-90 GL-5	Red Line 75W-140 GL-5 / LSD
Base Stocks		Mineral + PAO blend				50% ester + 50% PAO	60% ester + 40% PAO
Extreme-pressure Additive		Standard				Advanced	Advanced
Shear Stability		Moderate				High	Very high
Temperature Range		−30 °C to 120 °C				−40 °C to 150 °C	−40 °C to 160 °C
Use Case		Daily towing				Off-road, towing	Locked diffs, severe duty
Drain Interval		80 000 km				80 000 km	80 000 km

4. 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	Toyota 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

5. Water Wetter (Coolant 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.
• 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	Toyota OEM Coolant	Red Line Water Wetter
Base Fluid	Ethylene glycol	Same + proprietary surfactants
Heat Transfer Improvement	Standard	Reduces coolant temp by 10 – 15 °C
Corrosion Protection	Meets ASTM D3306	Meets ASTM D3306 + enhanced
Dosage	Not required	1 bottle (118 mL) per 4 L–5 L
Service Interval	At coolant change (~2 years)	Each coolant change

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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 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.
•  

Dosage: One 455 mL bottle treats up to 100 gal (≈ 380 L) 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

• Sludge-free intake and combustion chambers cut back on decoking services.
• Lower peak temps reduce stress on head gaskets and sensors.
• Cleaner fuel rails and injectors extend service intervals.
• Petrol users regain lost power and efficiency, offsetting additive cost in a few tanks.
• Cleaner systems mean less downtime.
• Red Line’s fuel additives for both diesel and petrol engines deliver measurable fuel-economy gains, cleaner fuel systems, smoother power delivery, and lower upkeep costs over time

 

Dosage: 300 mL per fill (treats up to 60 L of petrol), repeat every 5 000–8 000 km.

 

 

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 Hilux.

THE KEY BENEFITS OF USING REDLINE PRODUCCTS IN YOUR HILUX

 

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.