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The short answer:The numbers represent the viscosity of the oil and the W stands for WINTER. In a 5W-30 for example, the number before the W describes the viscosity of the oil at low temperatures. The lower the number, the thinner the oil and the better the oil’s cold temperature/ cold start performance.
What does the W in 5w40 mean?
The two numbers in the 5W-40 indicate the weight or viscosity of the engine oil as tested by SAE. Viscosity is defined as a fluid’s resistance to flow: The higher the number, the higher the fluid’s resistance to flow, or the thicker the fluid. The “W” indicates that the first number is the “cold” or “winter” rating.
What does the W stand for in 5W-30?
5W-30 means that this is a multigrade oil. This is indicated by the two numbers separated by a “W” 5W – shows thickness/viscosity of the oil on a start-up – when you start the car (W – stands for Winter, this indicates oil performance under colder engine temperatures when the engine has not been running).
What is the W in oil viscosity?
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.
What does W stand for on SAE 10W grade?
Monograde oils For winter use, choose an oil with the letter “W”, which stands for Winter. These are SAE 0W, 5W, 10W, 15W, 20W and 25W engine oils. Their viscosity grade is low, meaning they are particularly fluid lubricants.
What does 0w40 mean?
CHOOSING the right 0W-40 oil for your car. It actually stands for Winter. That’s because 0W-40 engine oil is formulated to flow like a 0 Weight oil in cold conditions, yet offer the protection of a 40 Weight motor oil when the engine reaches its full operating temperature.
What does W stand for in 15W40 oil?
Since most heavy-duty oil is multi viscosity, we will concentrate on the two-number system. In 15W-40, the first number on the left (15 here) represents the cold temperature viscosity and contains the letter “W” (which stands for winter, engineers are so creative).
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.
Can I use 10W-40 instead of 5w30?
Your vehicle does not use 5W-30 oil. The recommended oil viscosity for your vehicle, according to Kia documentation, is 10W-40. If you drive the vehicle in exceptionally cold weather, well below 32 degrees, you can use 5W-30 oil but even 10W-40 is still perfectly OK to use if outdoor temperatures are below freezing.
What is 10w40 oil?
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.
Can I use 5W 20 instead of 5w30?
5W-20 oil, being the lower viscosity oil (thinner oil) than 5W-30, might help boost your fuel economy. And although you may not notice a vast difference, it does add up over time. However, remember that you should always use the motor oil recommended for your car by your engine manufacturer or mechanic.
Is AW 32 the same as 10W?
SAE 10W is equivalent to ISO 32, SAE 20 is equivalent to ISO 46 and 68, and SAE 30 is equivalent to ISO 100. As you can see, there is a bit of a difference between ISO 68 and SAE 30. The viscosity of the fluid largely determines the oil temperatures within which the hydraulic system can safely operate.
Can I use 10W 30 instead of 5w30?
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.
What is W in 20w40?
Explanation: Multigrade oils (like your 20X40)are formulated to pass viscosity tests across a range of weights. For example, 20W40 meets the requirements for 20-weight at cold temperatures and 40-weight at high temps. Lower SAE numbers describe oils that are meant to be used under lower temperatures.
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.
Is 5W-30 synthetic?
Is 5W-30 A Synthetic Oil? 5W-30 oil is available as both conventional oil (also called mineral oil) and synthetic motor oil.
