Oil viscosity chart explained12/3/2023 ![]() Please note that vehicle requirements may vary so consult your car’s handbook for the correct viscosity grade. In other words, the choice of viscosity would be different depending on whether you are living in Finland (0W/ 5W-30) or Nigeria (5W/10W/15W40 or even 20W50). However, In order to lubricate an engine properly the oil must be able to flow at a consistent rate through a broad range of temperatures. Multigrade oils such as SAE 5W-30 and 10W-40 are widely used because, under all but extremely hot or cold conditions, they are thin enough to flow at low temperatures and thick enough to perform satisfactorily at high temperatures. The number after the W describes how thick the oil is at the engine’s normal operating temperature. The higher the number, the more consistent the oil is. What you need to look at is the viscosity index, which provides a measure of how consistent the viscosity of the oil is across a temperature range. The lower the number, the thinner the oil and the better the oil’s cold temperature/ cold start performance. For example, a 5W or 7W fork oil might end up being thicker than a 10W or 15W fork oil, which can make choosing one even harder. However, once warmed up to 210 degrees F, it. For example, a 5w30 oil weight rating means that on cold start-up even at subzero temperatures the oil flows like a 5 weight oil. In a 5W-30 for example, the number before the W describes the viscosity of the oil at low temperatures. The w stands for winter and indicates that the lubricant in question has a different viscosity, or different flow characteristics, based on temperature. This is why you would see something like this on the label: SAE 5W-30. Because the viscosity of oil changes with temperature, multigrade oils were developed to provide protection across a range of temperatures. The long answer:The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has established a numerical code system for grading motor oils according to their viscosity characteristics. The short answer:The numbers represent the viscosity of the oil and the W stands for WINTER. That’s what car service centres and mechanics are there for right?īut what if you find yourself in a position where you need to buy and put in the oil yourself? How do you know which oil to use and how do you read the label? What does SAE 5W-30 mean? Can provide enhanced viscosity control to better resist engine shear forces and help prevent viscosity grade breakdown Enable the formulation of motor oils that offer better low temperature performance. In fact, most of us don’t even know what is under the hood of our car, let alone the type of oil that is in our engine. ![]() Not all of us get to service our own cars. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |