Red Line Synthetic Oil Helpful Tips and Tricks for Off-Road Enthusiasts

Red Line Synthetic Oil Helpful Tips and Tricks for Off-Road Enthusiasts

 There’s always a maintenance project or upgrade to install on your off road vehicle, and at Red Line Synthetic Oil, we can provide some tips and tricks to get your off-road rig prepared for the trails ahead.

 

 

 

Those who are new to off-roading often ask us how to make their OEM vehicles more proficient on the trails and in crawling situations. Here are some common modifications and important areas for improvement.

 

1. Wheels/Tires: Wider wheels with all-terrain tires are typically one of the most common initial upgrades. A properly selected wheel and tire combination can increase ground clearance and provide more surface for grip. Tire pressures are also a key factor depending on the specific terrain and application.

 

2. Lights: Lights are often the second modification made on off-road focused vehicles due to their aesthetics and relatively affordable price point. Good lighting serves a number of essential purposes. Not only do they provide increased visibility if you happen to find yourself driving on a trail in low light conditions, but they make for a fantastic light source while working on another vehicle at night. Consider underbody “rock lights” so you can see ground hazards even when the headlights are pointed upward.

 

3. Bumpers: Another aesthetically pleasing modification, bumpers can also provide additional tire and general ground clearance while acting as heavy-duty mounting points for lights, winches, spare tire carriers, etc. 

 

4. Drivetrain Upgrades: Locking differentials for front and/or rear axles are a common upgrade that assists drivers crawl over obstacles by ensuring power is delivered to the wheels that need it most in a given situation. Additionally, larger tires hamper performance because they lower a vehicle’s overall final drive ratio. Changing to shorter, more aggressive gearing can help counteract this problem. Throughout these modifications, it’s essential to use the proper lubricants to keep your rig running smoothly. Red Line offers viscosities and formulations for hundreds of applications, and the company’s experts are available by telephone to advise of the best options.

 Red Line Lubricants for Off-Road Gearboxes & Transmissions

 

Recommended Red Line Product

 

•          Manual Transmissions: Red Line MT-90 75W-90 (GL-4 manual transmission gear oil)

•          Synchromesh Protection: Red Line MTL (Manual Transmission Fluid with enhanced synchronizer additives)

•          Differentials & Transfer Cases: Red Line Shockproof 75W-140 (hypoid gear oil formulated for high loads)

•          Automatic Transmissions: Red Line D-4 ATF (Dexron-III/Marcon V-equivalent)

            On Bob is the Oil Guy, Klutch9 drained 123,000 miles original fluid from his Miata’s gearbox and filled MT-90. After an hour of twisty road driving at sustained high RPM, the shifter stayed lukewarm, and shifts remained crisp.

•          Bob Is the Oil Guy, aquariuscsm pits calls MT-90 “great stuff,” and notes its light red hue and ATF-like scent.

•          On the Toyota Owners Club, Blacksheep reported MT-90 delivered smoother, quieter shifts with zero notchy feel on cold starts.

 

Brakes: 

 

At a minimum, brakes should be regularly serviced to prevent failure on the trail. Many of the off roaders choose upgraded aftermarket brake kits and parts for additional stopping power to supplement the added weight from supplies and equipment. Whichever route off-roaders choose, it’s important to check your brake fluid levels before embarking on an off-road adventure. 

Red Line’s RL-600 Brake Fluid 

•  Fresh brake fluid helps to guarantee braking systems perform to the best of their ability and handle emergency situations with ease.
• Typical Dry Boiling Point: 316°C
• Typical Wet Boiling Point: 201°C
• Engineered to maintain viscosity, lubricity and compressibility at extreme temperatures both high and low to help safeguard against brake fade and vapor lock in racing, performance and street applications
• Blends with and meets specification of DOT 4, however blending may compromise exceptional performance

 

Cooling Systems:

 

 In order to keep your engine performing at its peak and to avoid failures on the trail, engine temperatures need to be kept in-check. Installing the correct radiators and fans for specific applications is crucial in preventing overheating issues on the trails in summer heat or extreme climbing conditions. In addition to ensuring the proper hardware is installed, off-roaders can use Red Line’s WaterWetter   unique agent for cooling systems that doubles the wetting ability of water to further reduce temperatures. It is specifically designed to lower coolant temperatures by as much as 10 degrees Celsius, while simultaneously protecting against harmful rust and corrosion. Simply wait for your vehicle to cool down, remove the radiator or expansion tank cap and pour in the appropriate amount.

• Rust and corrosion protection allows for use of straight water in racing or reduced antifreeze levels in warm climates
• Improves heat transfer and reduces cylinder head temperature
• Use one bottle for most passenger cars and light trucks, treats 13.2 to 15.9 liters, vehicles with larger cooling systems should use two bottles, small cooling systems should use 30 mls (3 to 4 capfuls) per quart
• Satisfies ASTM D2570 and ASTM D1384 corrosion tests for glycol-based antifreezes
• Contains no ethylene glycol

 

Engine Oil.

 

Standard maintenance cannot be ignored. Using the correct oil and changing it at set intervals is an important step in minimizing failures that may leave off-roaders stranded out on the trail. Red Line’s High-Performance line comes in 16 different viscosities including diesel-specific versions, allowing consumers the ability to use the correct oil for the conditions. Synthetic motor oils are more likely to maintain their viscosity in extreme temperatures and offer superior protection. Red Line’s oil products offer excellent wear protection and friction reduction across a wide range of operating conditions.

Our High-Performance Motor Oils start with a PAO/Ester base making us a true synthetic oil. Add in our proprietary additive package with enhanced ZDDP levels and you have a combination that is engineered to protect.

 

Fuel System.

 

 

For off-roaders looking for an quick and easy way to ensure their fuel system is performing at its best, Red Line’s SI-1 Complete Fuel System Cleaner works to remove harmful deposits while preventing new ones from forming in injectors, carburetors, valves and combustion chambers. The product cleans to nearly 100% efficiency in one treatment and users will only need one bottle per tank for the most effective treatment.

• Cleans injectors, carburetors, valve and combustion chamber deposits with a concentrated blend of the most powerful high-temp and low-temp detergents available
• Cleans all forms of fuel injectors, including GDI
• Enhances fuel stability; reduces gum and varnish formation
• Use one bottle per tank for most effective treatment, cleans to nearly 100% efficiency in one treatment
• Reduces need for octane by up to two points
• Contains synthetic upper cylinder lubricant
• Cleans pollution control valves
• Suitable for use with oxygenated fuel
• Safe for continual use

RED LINE SUSPENSION FLUIDS

 

Role of Suspension Fluid

Suspension fluid governs how springs and dampers absorb and dissipate energy when traversing uneven terrain. It controls spring oscillation by converting kinetic energy into heat, manages rebound and compression rates, lubricates seals and bushings, and minimizes aeration and foaming for consistent damping performance.

 

Viscosity Grades and Typical Use Cases

Lightweight 5 wt     

Direct replacement for most OE 7 wt fluids with superior shear stability

Widely used in desert-running trucks, Sprint Cars, CORR and SCORE off-road series

Ideal for rock-crawling builds and lifted SUVs carrying moderate payloads

Heavy 10 wt

Higher damping for heavily loaded rigs, towing or carrying rooftop gear

Maintains control on big-wheel desert rigs and heavy rock-crawler setups

 

Fluid Selection Considerations

Terrain and Speed: lighter fluids improve small-bump sensitivity and high-speed response; heavier fluids resist bottoming on big hits.

Vehicle Mass and Payload: heavier rigs or those carrying gear benefit from increased damping to prevent harsh bottom-outs.

Shock Valving and Spring Rates: match fluid viscosity to valving specs; overly light fluid can lead to fork pogo or shock over-extension, while overly heavy fluid can cause

 

•          Motorsports teams in CORR and SCORE credit Red Line Lightweight 5 wt with significantly lower operating temperatures and reduced shock fade versus stock oils.

•          Off-road fabricators report that blending Lightwieght 5 wt and Heavy 10 wt allows bespoke tuning for lifted Jeeps and rock-crawlers, achieving predictable rebound without harsh stops.

           

Lightweight 5 wt: direct replacement for most OE 7 wt suspension fluids; superior shear stability, and SCORE Off-Road competitions.

Medium 10wt designed for higher-load dampening; all Red Line suspension fluids can be blended to create bespoke viscosities tailored to a shock’s characteristics. These products can be mixed together to create intermediate viscosities, customized for a dampener's particular characteristics.

 Superior shear stability over most popular shock oils

 Allows use of lower viscosities

 Far less shock fade, provides lower operating temps for same viscosity when compared to conventional fluids

 Eliminates most foaming and provides excellent seal lubricity

Lightweight or medium 10 weight is often used in Sprint Car racing, as well as in CORR and SCORE Off Road competitions

 Antiwear additives assist in longer shock life