Why Is Redline Oil So Expensive: In-Depth Analysis

Redline Oil is famous for two main reasons: the quality & the price. This brand makes Oil with great expertise with a price tag that will make you ask, why is Redline Oil so expensive?

If you’re scratching your head thinking, I’ve got you covered. After reading this article, you’ll know why Redline Oil is comparatively expensive & how Redline justifies their price tags.

why is redline oil so expensive

Why Is Redline Oil So Expensive: Simple Explanation

Two major things that contribute to Redline’s excess price are Brand Value & Quality Assurance. Redline had been in business since 1979, and years of expertise & authority made Redline one of the most liked gear oils of all time.

Redline doesn’t only exist; it exists with the power of making excellent gear oils. It’s guaranteed that you will feel your car breathing more giving you a fresh driving experience after you switch to Redline.

Superior user experience, the longevity of the car components & brand value made Redline one of the most expensive oils. Fortunately, the users don’t complain much as they get the right deal of their money.

Brand Analysis: When & Who Founded Redline Oil Company?

Redline was founded in 1979 by Peter Filice & Tom Kerrigan in Novato, California. Though Redline Synthetic Oil Corporation started its journey in 1979, it got a massive boost in 1986 when Roy Howell was appointed as the chief chemist at the company.

Later in 2014, Redline was acquired by Philips 66. From 2014 to the present, Redline Synthetic Oil Corporation has been running under the Philips 66 umbrella.

Making Of Redline Oil: Inner Mechanism Of Redline Oil

Redline Oil is a fully synthetic oil. Different synthetic Oil is made using different base stocks. For instance, most synthetic Oils are made via Group III base stocks.

However, Redline uses Group V esters for their oil production. Synthetic ester oil helps Redline to achieve great success in reducing the wear & tear of car components. Reduced friction & increased lubricity are the core interests of Redline oil.

Unline AMSOIL & Mobil 1 oil; Redline doesn’t use PAO (Poly Alpha Olefins) procedure to produce their Oil. That’s why it can eliminate the adverse effect of PAOs with ease.

How Much Do Redline Oil Costs: Is it Worth The Price?

Depending on your buying quantity, you’ll have to pay $12 to $15 per quart of Redline 5W30 Motor oil. In the following link, you can buy 12 packs of 1Quart Redline Oil for around $150 or 1Gallon of Redline Oil For approximately $60.

If you’re thinking of buying 75W90 Oil, then you’ll have to pay about $21 per quart of Redline Oil .

These two category oils (SAE 5W30 & SAE 75W90) are the best seller from Redline. From my findings & user reviews, I can definitely say Redline Oil is worth every penny you pay.

How Long Does Redline Oil Last?

Your Redline Oil may last from 5500 miles to 18000 miles depending on your driving habit & road type. Highway & speedy driving behavior will result in higher millage.

On the other hand, if you are driving casually – you may need to change your Oil after every 5500 to 7500 miles. Change your oil & oil filter within time to avoid unnecessary oil pressure drop issues.

Comparison: Redline Vs AMSOIL – Which One Is Better?

AMSOIL is a serious competitor of Redline oil, and their pricing is identical to Redline (or slightly less). But AMSOIL doesn’t want you to buy from third-party stores like Amazon.

They priced their 1Quart 5W30 for $30 on Amazon, whereas they priced the same Oil for $12 to $16 at their own store. Unlike Redline Oil, AMSOIL guarantees protection up to 25000 miles in a year.

AMSOIL oil is prepared following advanced formulation to last as long as possible, protecting against wear & tear. Overall, you’ll enjoy a great price-to-performance ratio with AMSOIL.

Winner: AMSOIL is the winner in the milage score, but Redline Oil gives you the best performance possible for the money.

Comparison: Redline Vs Mobil 1 – Which One Is Better?

Another competitor of Redline is Mobil 1, also known as M1. This Oil is known for its low price. For example, 5 Quarts of Redline oil cost around $60, but 5 Quarts of Mobil 1 cost around $25 .

Mobil 1 also provides 20000 miles of protection with their extended high milage oil & 10000 miles of protection with their full synthetic motor oil. So, don’t get away with the milage claim of Mobil 1, as these number changes according to their oil type.

The definite bad side of Mobil 1 is the low tolerance towards high-temperature weather. Redline can easily handle hot summer weather & Mobil 1 can’t. Overall, you will get a surprisingly good driving experience with Redline due to its better cooling, lubrication & longer service intervals.

Winner: Redline is the winner here. But, you can consider Mobil 1 for the low price.

Alternatives Of Redline Oil: Know More, Save More

If you’re not impressed enough by Redline, you may consider getting Redline alternative oils, which will save you some extra money. For example, you may buy 80W90 from Valvoline instead of 75W90 from Redline.

Besides Valvoline, AMSOIL & M1 (Mobil 1) can be great alternatives to Redline oil. I’ve discussed both of these oils in the comparison part above. You’ll save a few bucks per quart, no matter which brand you go with (Other than Redline).

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Where Is Redline Oil Made?

Though Redline was founded in Novato, now it is moved to Benicia & Benicia is the place where the Redline oil is made. From the birth of Redline to the present, it hasn’t moved out of California ever since.

Who Owns Redline Company Now?

Phillips 66 acquired Redline in 1914. So, technically Phillips owns the Redline Synthetic Oil Corporation now. However, Reuters reported that Phillips still doesn’t own about $3.4billion worth of shares (as of 2021) & it’s expected that they will buy the share within the first quarter of 2022. 

Does AMSOIL Have Ester Oil?

Unlike Redline Oil, AMSOIL doesn’t have ester oil as it is made using Group IV PAOs. Not having Group V Ester is not a deal breaker as all the groups (Group III, IV & V) have their pros & cons.

Conclusion

I hope this article was helpful enough in explaining the valid reasons for which Redline Oil is so expensive. Besides the price issues, I have also demonstrated how your driving experience can be enhanced by using Redline oil.

Redline Oil will be your best choice if you’re focused on having more excellent driving experience. If you want to cheap out a bit – go for Valvoline, AMSOIL & Mobil 1 oils.

Dan Jones is a car enthusiast and has been involved in the automotive industry for the last 10 years. He has a practical knowledge of vehicles and vehicle parts. Besides, he spends most of his time in the garage and deals with various car problems.

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