Redline Oil and Mobil 1 Oil are two of the world's leading synthetic oil brands. Synthetic oils are considered high-performance oils, in which manufacturers add high-performance fluids and additives to reduce engine wear and improve engine performance. As the engine heats up, synthetic oils are supposed to remain liquid, so the engine can continue to perform at optimum levels. One of the benefits of synthetics is that they last longer than conventional oils.
Redline offers two W20 oils. Their 0-W20 is made mostly for compact cars, gas electric hybrids and light trucks, while their 5-W20 is made for Mazda, Acura, Chrysler, Ford and Honda vehicles and features a thicker oil film around bearings and cams as the engine warms. Mobil 1 has three W-20 offerings. Its base model is the Mobil 1, which comes in more than 10 different viscosities, including 5-W20. The Mobil Clean 7,500 can last for 7,500 miles and comes in 5W-20. And the Mobil 1 Extended can be used for 15,000 miles without an oil change. All three oils come with a limited warranty.
Red Line offers three different W-30 models. The 0W-30 is considered their best synthetic oil for extremely cold temperatures, as the formula offers better oil flow. The 5W-30 is their most popular oil for all types of cars and light trucks, including foreign vehicles like Mercedes-Benz. The 10W-30 is formulated for passenger cars and light trucks and is best for crate and V-8 engines. Mobil has a 5W-30 and 10W-30 offering under its High Performance brand, a 5W-30 and 10W-30 offering under its Mobil 1 brand (including separate viscosities for high-mileage cars) and a 5W-30 and 10W-30 brand under its Mobil Clean 7,500 brand. They are formulated for similar vehicle specs.
These synthetics are generally made for foreign performance and sports cars. Red Line recommends its 0W-40 oil for Audi, Mercedes and water-cooled Porsches. It can operate well in cold temperatures. Their 5W-40 can be used in most foreign cars, while the 10W-40 is used mostly in medium- and heavy-duty gasoline engines in trucks. Red Line's 15W-40 is for diesel engines. Mobil 1 has its own 0W-40, which it recommends for arctic environments and European cars. Mobil 1 also has a 10W-40 model for cars that have high mileage, and a 5W-40 for diesel trucks. Mobil 1 also has a 5W-40 model for emission system protection for cars that use diesel particulate filters.
Red Line has several W-50 offerings, which are generally for specialty vehicles. 5W-50 is best used for high temperature, or desert climates. If you have a turbo engine, 15W-50 or 20W-50 are formulated for those engines. Red Line also offers a 20W-50 motorcycle oil for Evolution and Twin Cam engines. Mobil 1 also offers a motorcycle-specific oil, which are best for 10W-40 or 20W-50 engines. Their 20W-50 is best for four-cycle, V-twin engines.
Both Red Line and Mobil 1 supply oil to automobile racing teams, where engines run long and hot, and wear and tear is a fact of life. Red Line has a 20WT race oil that is good for drag racing. Their 30WT is best suited to NASCAR and stock car racing, while 40WT can be used in stock car and road racing, along with sprint cars. Red Line also manufactures five different oils specifically for drag racing from a 2WT to a 70WT for funny cars. Mobil 1 only manufactures two racing oils, a 0W-20 and 0W-30. Mobil 1 considers these oils versatile enough to be used in all formats.
