Rislone 4102 XTREME LUBE® Maximum Performance Engine Treatment is a multifunctional engine additive designed to optimize engine performance through enhanced lubrication. This concentrated formula represents a modern version of Rislone’s historically popular engine treatment, often referred to as “”The Legend.”” Produced by Rislone, a company with over a century of experience in chemical additives, this product aims to clean engine components, reduce friction, quiet noisy operation, and prevent sludge formation. Priced in the budget-friendly category, the 16.9 oz bottle is intended to treat 4-6 quart systems in passenger cars and light trucks.
1. Functions and Benefits: 4.5/5
Rislone 4102 offers multiple benefits including friction and wear reduction, quieting noisy lifters and valves, sludge removal and prevention, and overall engine cleaning. The high-quality penetrating oil combined with protective additives and cleaning agents is designed to flow into critical areas like valve seats, bearing surfaces, and piston rings where deposits commonly form. Its multi-grade formula provides protection across a broader temperature range and enhances engine efficiency and power under various driving conditions. The product successfully addresses common engine issues while providing comprehensive protection.
2. Notable Technologies: 4/5
The product features Rislone’s XTREME LUBE® Maximum Performance technology, a proprietary formula developed through the company’s century of chemical additive experience. This technology combines high-quality penetrating oil with specialized protective engine additives and cleaning agents. The multi-grade formula is specifically designed to penetrate into critical engine components where sludge and varnish typically form. What’s particularly impressive is how the technology maintains deposits in suspension until they’re trapped in the filter or removed during oil changes. This represents a sophisticated approach to engine maintenance that addresses both immediate performance and long-term engine health.
3. Ease of Use: 5/5
Application of Rislone 4102 couldn’t be simpler. For passenger cars and light trucks with 4-6 quart systems, users simply add one 16.9 oz bottle to their engine oil. For larger systems or engines, proportionally more product may be required. No special tools or complex procedures are needed – just pour it in. The product works gradually as you drive, penetrating engine components and suspending deposits until they’re filtered out or removed during your next oil change. This straightforward application process makes it accessible to both automotive enthusiasts and everyday vehicle owners, requiring minimal technical knowledge to achieve benefits.
4. Popularity: 4/5
Rislone has established itself as a global bestselling brand with widespread availability at major retailers including Walmart, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Advance Auto Parts, and Rural King. The company’s long history dating back over 100 years has helped build strong brand recognition. Customer testimonials reference the product being recommended by professional mechanics, including a 15-year Dodge mechanic in one case. The product has been used by various drivers from daily commuters to racing teams, including famous racer Bobby Unser Jr. back in 1968. While not necessarily the most heavily advertised engine treatment on the market, its longevity and continued availability speak to its enduring popularity.
5. Customer Satisfaction: 4.5/5
Customer reviews consistently highlight noise reduction as a primary benefit, with specific testimonials noting significant quieting of noisy lifters and improved overall engine quietness. One customer reported that after using Rislone 4102 in their 2010 Mazda CX7, “”After about 25 minutes of the engine running I could tell the engine was running quieter. After 175 miles the engine is so quiet you can’t tell it’s running.”” Another customer with a 2012 5.3 liter engine noted complete elimination of a stuck lifter noise after application and a brief drive. Users also appreciate easier starting and smoother operation. The overwhelmingly positive feedback demonstrates high satisfaction levels with tangible, noticeable improvements in engine performance.
6. Competitive Comparison: 3.5/5
When compared to similar products like Hy-Per Lube Oil Supplement (also made by Rislone), the 4102 XTREME LUBE® Treatment offers a more comprehensive approach by combining cleaning and lubricating functions. While Hy-Per Lube focuses primarily on extreme pressure lubrication to cushion mechanical shock, the 4102 adds cleaning capabilities. Rislone also offers a larger 32oz version (product #100QR) that appears to provide similar benefits but in a more diluted concentration. The 4102’s concentrated 16.9oz formula presents good value at approximately $4.74 per bottle (in multi-packs), compared to the #100QR at $5.99 for 32oz. The product competes favorably on price-performance ratio, though some specialized competitors may offer more targeted solutions for specific engine issues.
7. Performance Results: 4/5
Performance improvements reported by users include significantly reduced engine noise, particularly in lifters and valves, smoother operation, and easier starting. The product’s gradual cleaning action effectively removes sludge and varnish deposits while its lubrication properties reduce friction and wear. This translates to enhanced engine efficiency and power across various driving conditions. One customer reported completely eliminating a stuck lifter noise in a 5.3 liter engine after just one treatment and a one-hour drive. Another noted their Mazda engine became “”so quiet you can’t tell it’s running”” after 175 miles. While specific fuel economy improvements aren’t widely documented, the reduction in friction and cleaning of engine components logically contributes to better overall engine performance and potentially extended engine life.
8. Value for Money: 4.5/5
At approximately $4.74 for a 16.9oz bottle (when purchased in multi-packs), Rislone 4102 delivers excellent value considering its comprehensive benefits. The concentrated formula treats 4-6 quart systems, making the per-treatment cost quite reasonable. The product addresses multiple engine issues simultaneously – reducing noise, preventing sludge, cleaning components, and enhancing lubrication – which would otherwise require separate specialized products. Customer testimonials suggest it effectively resolves expensive problems like stuck lifters that might otherwise require costly mechanical intervention. One user specifically noted it “”saved me from a tear down”” of their engine, representing significant cost savings. The affordable price point combined with multiple benefits and potential prevention of major repairs makes this product an outstanding value.
Rislone 4102 XTREME LUBE® Maximum Performance Engine Treatment stands out as a versatile and effective engine additive suitable for a wide range of vehicles. Its greatest strengths lie in noise reduction, component cleaning, and enhanced lubrication across various temperature ranges. The product particularly excels with high-mileage engines experiencing lifter noise, sludge buildup, or general performance decline. While not a miracle solution for severely damaged engines, it provides remarkable improvements for engines with normal wear and maintenance issues. For everyday drivers seeking affordable preventative maintenance or those experiencing minor engine noise problems, this product offers exceptional value and ease of use. Given its long history, positive customer feedback, and comprehensive benefits at a budget-friendly price point, Rislone 4102 earns a solid 4.3/5 overall rating and is Highly Recommended, especially for vehicles with over 75,000 miles showing early signs of age-related performance decline.
