Red Line PS Fluid Question

[kyoo]

Didn't see this addressed anywhere, but for those of you who are using Red Line's PS fluid - does the steering feel very heavy when it's cold outside? I was comparing some PS fluids and ATF, and what stuck out to me was how high Red Line's -40cst number is. Obviously that is very, very cold and not a temp I'll ever see, but it does indicate how thick the fluid gets in cold temps. An issue not just for steering effort but also wear on the pump??

p/s 40cst 100cst -40cst vi
RL PS 6.5 34.7 18,000 143
Amsoil PS 7.5 33.8 5,690 197
Mobil ATF 7.5 34.4 8,800 192
RL ATF 7.5 34 5,200 198
RL ATF D6 6.4 30.7 4,500 166
Amsoil ATF 7.5 38.5 9,755 165
Amsoil ATL 6.3 30.8 7,676 159

 

[HerrStig]

Valvoline Maxlife synthetic is a fine fluid, sold at a good price by Wallyworld. Toyota, at least, is not very specific about PS fluid. I don't notice any problems in the Toyotas I own in cold weather. Why use a "designer" fluid?

 

[kyoo]

reasons include having discounts at both red line and amsoil, b/c I want to. etc.

really the question is more about this stand out -40cst number for red line's P/S fluid

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: kyoo
reasons include having discounts at both red line and amsoil, b/c I want to. etc.

really the question is more about this stand out -40cst number for red line's P/S fluid
Were either cheaper than Maxlife synthetic at the everyday price?

 

[kyoo]

I don't care... this isn't a which ps fluid provides the best bang for the buck thread.

this is a, how does the -40cst number/VI affect power steering feel & the pump at cold temps, particularly red line's p/s fluid, thread.

 

[Rand]

Originally Posted By: kyoo
I don't care... this isn't a which ps fluid provides the best bang for the buck thread.

this is a, how does the -40cst number/VI affect power steering feel & the pump at cold temps, particularly red line's p/s fluid, thread.


Which is pretty worthless without giving us any details of the vehicle.

 

[kyoo]

Originally Posted By: Rand
Originally Posted By: kyoo
I don't care... this isn't a which ps fluid provides the best bang for the buck thread.

this is a, how does the -40cst number/VI affect power steering feel & the pump at cold temps, particularly red line's p/s fluid, thread.


Which is pretty worthless without giving us any details of the vehicle.


evo, corolla. mini and rav4 are electric. don't particularly see how that is helpful, this isn't a p/s fluid vs atf fluid thread either.

I'm pretty much wondering/saying, isn't red line's very high cold viscosity, per the -40cst # & the relatively low VI, not good for power steering pumps? isn't it actually bad compared to the other p/s fluids and atf fluids listed?

and asking, has anyone using red line's p/s fluid seen particularly increased steering effort in cold temps? and less so, wear on the steering pump?

 

[SavagePatch]

I use the RL PS fluid in a 98 Tacoma 3.4L and really like it. I first switched it out to the RL after installing 32" tires and noticed that the steering was a little harder. It smoothed it out but that could have just been the fresh fluid. Cold steering had no noticable difference but it doesn't get that cold here. $12 for a quart is a good deal if you ask me. It's also good for PS systems calling for traditional PS fluid and ATF. It's a slight pink in color. Would be a good choice for owners of "mix fleets".

 

[kyoo]

Originally Posted By: SavagePatch
I use the RL PS fluid in a 98 Tacoma 3.4L and really like it. I first switched it out to the RL after installing 32" tires and noticed that the steering was a little harder. It smoothed it out but that could have just been the fresh fluid. Cold steering had no noticable difference but it doesn't get that cold here. $12 for a quart is a good deal if you ask me. It's also good for PS systems calling for traditional PS fluid and ATF. It's a slight pink in color. Would be a good choice for owners of "mix fleets".


thanks for the input! interesting experience with it. do you think it "smoothing out" could have just been you getting used to the fluid?

Also interesting that cold steering has no noticeable difference. When you say not that cold, roughly what temps are you seeing? It's a little less than $9/qt for me

 

[MolaKule]

Call Dave at Redline with your comparative data.

The stated Brookfield viscosity may be in error.

I do know it is highly additized and looks more like a LV MTF.

 

[kyoo]

Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Call Dave at Redline with your comparative data.

The stated Brookfield viscosity may be in error.

I do know it is highly additized and looks more like a LV MTF.


actually I did that first - well e-mailed him - and he's out until July 10th. the # really stood out to me, which is why I have been assuming it gets super stiff in cold/is bad for the pump

 

[MolaKule]

Originally Posted By: kyoo
Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Call Dave at Redline with your comparative data.

The stated Brookfield viscosity may be in error.

I do know it is highly additized and looks more like a LV MTF.


actually I did that first - well e-mailed him - and he's out until July 10th. the # really stood out to me, which is why I have been assuming it gets super stiff in cold/is bad for the pump


I would think the BF viscosity of the RL PS is on the order of ~ 8,500 cP.

 

[kyoo]

Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Originally Posted By: kyoo
Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Call Dave at Redline with your comparative data.

The stated Brookfield viscosity may be in error.

I do know it is highly additized and looks more like a LV MTF.


actually I did that first - well e-mailed him - and he's out until July 10th. the # really stood out to me, which is why I have been assuming it gets super stiff in cold/is bad for the pump


I would think the BF viscosity of the RL PS is on the order of ~ 8,500 cP.


still not great, but not as bad as 18,000 - based on what information did you get that #?

 

[kyoo]

Someone else at Red Line got back to me - some highlights:

- ATF is specified by OEs for the consistent performance over a wide range of temps
- RL recommends using what the OE recommends
- Those that have switched to their PS (for low drag benefit) come BACK to running the D4
- D4 excels in steering boost when the temps climb, overall performance, wear protection etc.

 

[MolaKule]

Originally Posted By: kyoo
Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Originally Posted By: kyoo
Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Call Dave at Redline with your comparative data.

The stated Brookfield viscosity may be in error.

I do know it is highly additized and looks more like a LV MTF.


actually I did that first - well e-mailed him - and he's out until July 10th. the # really stood out to me, which is why I have been assuming it gets super stiff in cold/is bad for the pump


I would think the BF viscosity of the RL PS is on the order of ~ 8,500 cP.


still not great, but not as bad as 18,000 - based on what information did you get that #?


Formulating PS fluids.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: kyoo
Originally Posted By: Rand
Originally Posted By: kyoo
I don't care... this isn't a which ps fluid provides the best bang for the buck thread.

this is a, how does the -40cst number/VI affect power steering feel & the pump at cold temps, particularly red line's p/s fluid, thread.


Which is pretty worthless without giving us any details of the vehicle.


evo, corolla. mini and rav4 are electric. don't particularly see how that is helpful, this isn't a p/s fluid vs atf fluid thread either.

I'm pretty much wondering/saying, isn't red line's very high cold viscosity, per the -40cst # & the relatively low VI, not good for power steering pumps? isn't it actually bad compared to the other p/s fluids and atf fluids listed?

and asking, has anyone using red line's p/s fluid seen particularly increased steering effort in cold temps? and less so, wear on the steering pump?


I've used it in my car during the winter when it has gotten down to -5*F, and had NO sluggishness, slow steering or stiffness at all.

I will admit though that the Pentosin CHS 11F had the pump TOTALLY silent when used in those same winter ambients.

Must have been it's 313 VI vs. the RL's 143.

 

[Sam_Julier]

I run RL PS in the 240. I winter in Stowe VT. It does squeal for a short time at start up when it's really cold, say -10 degrees or lower. Otherwise there is never an issue. The steering feels normal, neither heavy or light.

But perhaps it would be better to use a higher VI, lighter fluid?

 

[kyoo]

good info, thanks all

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: Sam_Julier
I run RL PS in the 240. I winter in Stowe VT. It does squeal for a short time at start up when it's really cold, say -10 degrees or lower. Otherwise there is never an issue. The steering feels normal, neither heavy or light.

But perhaps it would be better to use a higher VI, lighter fluid?


IF you can use it in the Swede, my guess is that the CHF 11S would be DEAD SILENT at those ambients.