What Does Oil Rating Mean

The higher the number on the bottle, the thicker the oil. However, the numbers are also temperature dependent. A 10W-30 rating means an oil has a viscosity grade of 10 in cold temperatures (“W” stands for “winter”), and 30 in warm temperatures.

Is 5W-30 oil thicker than 10w30?

So both the oils 5W–30 and 10W–30 have exactly the same viscosity (SAE 30) when your engine is running, and will perform in the same way. However, the 10W–30 oil will be thicker (higher viscosity) than the 5W–30 when it is cool.

What does 10w40 mean?

10W-40 is the viscosity, or weight, of the motor oil as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE for short). A 10W-40 oil has a viscosity grade of 10W at a low temperature and 40 at a higher temperature. It just behaves like a 10W weight oil when cold and like a 40 weight oil at hot.

Which engine oil grade is best?

An engine oil of grade 0W-40 shows that a car can have a cold start even in freezing conditions as the oil is thin enough to flow through all the parts. An oil grade of 10W-30 generally works for places where temperates are pretty high.

What happens if you use 10w40 instead of 5W-30?

If you use 10-w-40 instead of 5-w-30 specified by the manufacturer then the viscosity of 10-w-40 used by you will be higher and oil thicker than what is specified during winters. Similarly the oil viscosity will be higher and oil thicker than specified during summers.

What happens if you put 10w30 instead of 5W-30?

Most oils will mix perfectly, provided they have a similar synthetic. Therefore, there is no problem in mixing 10w30 and 5w30 since one will be topping up. Mixing the viscosity of oils will not have any effect on the engine. 5w30 and 10w30 engine oils have close viscosity, and thus there is no harm in mixing them.

Which is better 10W40 or 20W40?

A 10 W 40 oil will have the viscosity of a 10 Grade oil when cold and that of a 40 Grade oil when hot. A 20 W 40 oil can replace a 10 W 40 if your winter / cold temperatures are not too low. A 10W 40 will afford better lubrication and performance over a wider temperature range than a 20W 40 oil.

What is the meaning of W in oil?

The “w” in motor oil stands for winter. For example, a 5W- motor oil will flow better at lower temperatures than a 15W- motor oil. The higher number, following the “w” refers to hot weather viscosity, or how fluid your oil is at hot temperatures.

What is the meaning of 20W50 engine oil?

The numbers 20W50 refer to the viscosity of the motor oil, set by the Society of American Engineers. This refers to its fluidity or thickness. The “20W” indicates how quickly the engine will start when cold or in cold weather. The “50” refers to the thickness of the oil when the motor has been running for a while.

What does 10W30 mean?

Answered January 07 2020. The 10W30 designation on engine oil means that the viscosity of the oil is rated at 10W when an engine is cold and 30 when the engine is hot. This is different than an oil labelled 5W30, which has a thinner viscosity when the engine is cold at 5W.

Is Full Synthetic Oil Better?

Yes, synthetic oil is better for your engine than conventional oil. Synthetics use higher quality base oils as compared to the less-refined base oils used in conventional oils which makes conventional oils: Less chemically stable. Oxidize and acidify more easily.

When should I use 20w50 oil?

What Is 20W-50 Oil Used For? 20W-50 is a common motor oil used in moderate-to-large diesel and gasoline engines, high-performance motorcycle bikes, and aviation vehicles. Its resistance to thinning at high heat also makes it popular as a racing oil and high temperature driving.

Should you put thicker oil in an older engine?

You should switch to thicker oil if your older car is consuming oil. The general rule is to always use the viscosity your car manufacturer recommended. As your engine gets older, the clearances within the engine change due to wear and tear, and your car could start to consume oil.

Can I put synthetic oil in my old car?

Yes, you can use synthetic oil in your classic car. Synthetic oils are composed of chemically engineered molecules designed to provide higher performance and better protection for your engine than conventional oils, which are derived from crude oil without significant intervention from chemical engineers.

Is 10W40 good for high mileage?

Mobil 1 High Mileage 10W-40 motor oil is recommended by ExxonMobil for use in high mileage vehicles (even those that have used lower quality conventional oils^†), including: Cars.

What oil is thicker than 10w30?

10W40 oil has a higher viscosity, retaining more thickness than 10W30 as the temperature rises. In that case, 10W-40 motor oil would technically provide better protection against engine wear contact in higher temperatures.

Is 10w30 good for winter?

A 10W flows well in cold weather, to protect the engine at start up, but it’s is too thin for use in the summer. A 30 grade oil, thick enough to protect in the heat, was recommended for summer use. A 10W-30 had the winter cold start flow properties of a 10W and the summer, high-temperature thickness of a 30 grade.

When should I switch from 5W30 to 10w30?

The oils only differ in cold weather viscosity. If you never see temperatures below zero F then either 5W30 or 10W30 is fine. If winter temperatures are regularly below 0 degrees F then 5W30 is what you should run and you can run it year round if the 30 weight is good according to your owner’s manual.

Is 10W40 good for summer?

Similarly, SAE 10W-40 motor oil performs well in cold weather conditions. It has the same low-temperature limits as the 10W-30 but is better in higher temperatures. Either 10W30 or 10W40 for summer use is fine; however, 10W-40 motor oil will better protect your engine.

What if I use 20w40 instead of 10w30?

20w 40 is a thicker oil when compared to the original 10w 30 oil. So 10w 30 oil is going to flow better than 20w40 oil when you initially start it and also run it. If the oil flows better the better the oil will lubricate and protect engine parts.

How do I know what grade my engine oil is?

In simple words, the number preceding W represents the parameter. Tells us how the oil will flow in cold conditions. The smaller the number, the better will be the flow. For instance, a 5W-30 oil will have a better cold flow than 10W-30 engine oil.