Receiving Helpdesk

what does the w mean on oil

by Prof. Ernie Grady MD Published 4 years ago Updated 3 years ago

The numbers 0, 5, 10, 15 and 25 are suffixed with the letter W, designating they are "winter" (not "weight") or cold-start viscosity, at lower temperature. ... The higher numbers of a gear oil (e.g., 75W-140) do not mean that it has higher viscosity than their viscosity characteristics.

Is 5w30 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 oil grade W mean?

winterThe "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 does the W stand for in 5W-30 oil ?'?

winterThe “W” stands for “winter,” the number preceding it indicates the oil's viscosity (or thickness) at low temperatures (hence the W), and the number after it indicates viscosity at higher temperatures, when the engine is running.

Is 5w30 thicker than 5w40?

5w30 is engine oil that has lower viscosity 5 and higher viscosity 30. ... 5w40 oil is not thicker has it has a higher viscosity. Temperature. 5w30 has lower viscosity hence it is suitable to use in hot or lower temperatures.

What does the W after a rating in 5W-20 signify?

The w is actually W which stands for the Winter oil flow test. 5W is very thin and the 20 refers to the oil viscosity at 100°C. 30 means that the oil does not thin down as much as 20 at this operating temperature. So the overall result is that 5W-20 is slightly less viscous (thinner) oil than 5W-30.

Is it better to use thicker oil in older engines?

Older engines use more oil, but it gives them a better fuel economy. Older engines with more than 75,000 miles on them require a thicker oil that will lubricate their critical engine parts and prevent oil leaks, sludge, and deposits from forming.30-Nov-2021

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.07-Jan-2020

Can I use 5W40 instead of 5W-30?

There's not going to be much functional difference between a 5w-30 and 5w-40 as there's a lot of functional overlap in the recommendations. The lower weight might yield better efficiency under light load operating conditions, but higher weight might yield better protection under higher load operating conditions.

Can I use 10W-40 instead of 5W-30?

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.21-Oct-2017

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 is the best engine oil for hot weather?

6 Top Best Motor Oils For Hot Climate Like Florida And ComparisonIMAGEPRODUCTEDITOR'S RATINGCastrol 06246 Edge Full Synthetic Motor Oil9.1BEST BUDGETValvoline High Mileage Oil With MaxLife Technology8.8Mobil 1 120762 Synthetic Motor Oil8.6Castrol 03094 GTX 10W-40 Conventional Motor Oil8.22 more rows

Is 5w40 good for summer?

5w30 oil is designed to operate at temperatures as low as -25°C, but is also a great choice for warmer climates that reach up to 25°C. 5W40 is a motor oil that penetrates to the active mechanisms faster, and provides excellent lubrication on start up. ...

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