How do you read 15W-40?

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 15 40w mean?

What does 15W-40 mean? 15W-40 viscosity grade means it flows like a 15 weight oil from start up in Winter, but provides the protection of a 40 weight once the engine reaches full operating temperature.

What is 15W-40 engine oil?

15W-40 is a very common viscosity grade for diesel engine oil. GTX Diesel is a 15W-40 diesel engine oil formulated to help extend engine life.

What is thicker 5W-40 or 15W-40?

5w-40 has a broader operating range than 15w-40. Unless you're penny pinching or you're misinformed about synthetic oils, it's stupid to pick the 15w-40 option. There is a single benefit to 15w-40 oils though, they will maintain their 40 weight operating viscosity longer than an oil that starts at 5w.

Is 15W-40 oil for diesel?

15W-40 is a very common viscosity grade for diesel engine oil. GTX Diesel is a 15W-40 diesel engine oil formulated to help extend engine life.

Engine Oil Rating System - WHAT DOES 15W-40 MEAN?

Is all 15W-40 oil the same?

No. Oils carry a certification and must be selected to meet or exceed the recommendations in your engine manual. Oil standards are normally backwards compatible, but the base oils are different.

How do you read oil grade?

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. The number after the W describes how thick the oil is at the engine's normal operating temperature.

What the W means in oil?

“W” stands for “winter.” When oil grades are hyphenated (i.e. 10W-30), this indicates range of viscosity attainable with this particular oil, namely it behaves like 10 weight oil (less viscous) when it is cold or “winter” and thanks to viscosity modifiers (manufacturer added oil additives), it will behave like 30 ...

What does 15W mean on a light bulb?

Lumens indicate the brightness, while watts indicate energy used to power the light bulb. For example, a standard 60-watt light bulb produces around 800 lumens of light. In comparison, a CFL light bulb that also produces 800 lumens only uses 15 watts to power it.

What do the numbers and letters mean on oil?

You might be familiar with terms such as “30-weight” or “10W-30” oil. Those numbers refer to the grade. The higher the number, the thicker the oil. The lower the number, the thinner. Thinner oils flow faster than thicker oils, and engineers design engines to work with a certain grade of oil.

What is the difference between 10W-30 and 15W-40?

Because 10W-30 is thinner than 15W-40 oil, its film strength can be weaker and it can be more prone to oxidation. Therefore, high quality additives are needed to compensate for those weaknesses in order for a 10W-30 engine oil to protect as well and last as long as a 15W-40.

What do oil viscosity numbers mean?

The number preceding the W designates the viscosity at a low temperature, and the number following represents viscosity when the engine is hot. For example, a 10W-30 motor oil means the viscosity is at 10W when the engine is cold and 30 when the engine is hot. Low viscosities are good for cold temperatures.

Which is thicker 15W-40 or SAE 30?

Next, while hot, 15w40 will be thicker or have a higher viscosity than SAE 30. This is shown by the rating of 40 versus 30 between the two oils. When the engine is warmed up, SAE 30 will flow more easily than 15w40 would.

What do oil numbers mean 10W 40?

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.

How cold is 15W-40 good for?

“Its starting temperature range is down to minus 22 F (compared with 15-plus with 15W40) up to 122 degrees F (same as 15W40). That tells you a couple things: There's a 37-degree cold cranking advantage (from minus 22 to plus 15) to a 5W40 and the same benefit on the high end.”

Is 15W-40 Synthetic Oil?

Mobil Delvac™ Extreme 15W-40 is a synthetic, high-performance diesel engine oil that helps extend engine life while providing long drain capability for modern diesel engines operating in extreme conditions.

Is 15W-40 good for gas engines?

Mobil Gas Engine Oil 15W-40 is a premium fleet engine oil specifically formulated to provide reliable protection for trucks and buses using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Mobil Gas Engine Oil 15W-40 is formulated from high quality base stocks and a balanced additive system.

How do you read a viscosity chart?

Again, the lower the number, the lower the viscosity of the oil and the faster the oil will move around the engine. As an example, let's compare 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30 motor oils. A 5W-20 and 5W-30 will have very similar if not equal viscosity at lower start-up temperatures.

How do I choose oil viscosity?

Oil gets thinner as it gets hotter. To determine the correct viscosity for an application you need to know the operating temperature of the oil in that application. Engines that run high operating oil temperatures require higher viscosity oil. Engines that run low oil temps require lower viscosity oil.

What does 5W 40 oil mean?

5w40 motor oil has a winter viscosity grade of five, meaning it's less viscous at very low temperatures, compared to, say, 10w40. It has a hot viscosity grade of 40, which means it is just as viscous as 10w40 at high temperatures but less viscous than oils such as 15w50.

Why do diesels use 15W-40?

ADVANTAGE 15W-40 HEAVY DUTY DIESEL ENGINE OIL has excellent soot dispersancy and wear control while providing outstanding protection against wear and corrosion. Its superior formula reduces sludge, protects against varnish formation and has superior anti-oxidation characteristics and high temperature stability.

Can I use 15W-40 oil in my petrol car?

Semi Synthetic 15W-40 is suitable for use in passenger cars, 4WDs & light commercial vehicles and is compatible with Petrol/LPG (Dual Fuel), E10, Diesel (without DPF) and most other conventional fuels.

What is the difference between 5w30 and 15W-40 engine oil?

15w40 is usually used in diesel engines and has a much different additives profile. 5w30 is usually used in gasoline engines. Diesel oil is designed with high antiwear additives such a ZDDP.