What does the 50 mean in 10w50?

10W50 Meaning

The viscosity of the engine oil remains stable over a wide temperature range. The oils can therefore be used all year round. 10W means that the oil is suitable for winter temperatures down to -30 °C. The second part of the SAE class, the number '50', indicates the kinematic viscosity at 100 °C.

What is 50 weight motor oil?

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.

What is the difference between 20W 50 and 10W 50?

The "50" describes what the oil will behave like at operating temperature... this is the value you should be most concerned with. 10W stays fluid at colder temps than 20W... like negative 20 degrees instead of negative 5, or something like that.

Which oil is thicker 20w50 or 10W50?

10w50 is thinner than 20w50 at low temp. So it will flow between every small parts and gives better cold start as compared to 20w50. First number lower than recommended and second number higher than recommended is good. You can go for 10w50.

What is 10 W 50 motor oil used for?

10W50 oil is a high-performance engine oil that offers outstanding engine reliability and temperature stability under extreme driving conditions. It's used for a wide range of motorsports and modern engines with turbochargers.

Engine Oil Codes Explained, SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) numbers - Oil Viscosity Explained

Which oil is better 10W40 or 10W50?

At 100ºC, the 10W50 has a viscosity of 18.1cS, the 10W40 is at 13.1cS. What this means is, at low temperature, they perform similarly, but at operating temperature, the 10W50 has better protection (higher film strength) than the 10W40.

Which is better 10W30 or 10W50?

If I'm not wrong, they'll both be the exact same thickness at 0°F but will perform differently at 212°F. Hence, simply put, the 10W30 will be thinner at 212°F (also read as the higher operating temperatures) than the 10W50. Oil ratings are a science on their own and this is as simple as I can make it for you.

Can I use 20w50 instead of 10W50?

Registered. With your ambient temperatures 20w50 will be fine. 10w is a benefit where cold-starting temperatures are much lower, and therefore a thinner oil will do a better job of getting around the engine when it's cold.

What does the W mean on engine oil?

The first number precedes the letter 'W' which stands for Winter. This measurement is related to how an oil flows when it is cold, such as at engine start-up. The second number is defined by how an oil flows at normal engine operating temperatures. The smaller the number, the better it will flow.

Can I use 20w50 instead of 15w50?

Yes you can use 15w50 instead of 20w50 and vice versa.

Which oil viscosity is better for warm climates?

A climate that experiences warmer temperatures all year long may necessitate a heavier engine oil such as an SAE XW-30 or XW-40 grade - one able to resist the breakdown that comes with higher operating temperatures by ensuring proper and adequate film thickness and the protection of critical engine components.

What motor oil is the thickest?

Importance of a Viscosity Scale

In order to have a standard way to measure the viscosity of engine oil, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) developed a viscosity scale. The scale ranges from 0W, which is the thinnest type of oil, to a rating of 60, which is the thickest oil.

What does 15w50 mean?

"15W" refers to the flowability at cold temperatures (W=winter). The oil is still pumpable down to -25 °C, i.e. liquid enough to distribute in the engine. The number "50" describes the flowability of the engine oil at an operating temperature of 100 °C.

When should I use 50 weight oil?

The answer is shear stability.

Multi-viscosity oils use chemicals called viscosity index improvers to allow the oil to flow differently at different temperatures. For example, they allow a 20W-50 oil to behave like a 20-weight oil when cold and a 50-weight oil when warm.

What do oil weight numbers mean?

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.

Will thicker oil damage my engine?

Using oil that is thicker than recommended may lead to a decrease in fuel economy, a higher load on your engine, and even a shorter life for your engine. Conversely, using thinner, lighter-weight oil than recommended can cause excessive wear and shorter life.

Is Thicker oil better for older engines?

A: Yes. This is a practical method to improve oil pressure in an older, high-mileage engine. The slightly thicker oil film from the heavier base weight oil - 10W - can help protect worn engine bearings as well.

What does the W stand for in 10W 30?

That's why you see two numbers on most oils. For Example: 10W30. This 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 (hence the “W” association) because the oil is thinner. Thinner motor oil flows more easily and moves quickly.

Does engine oil get thicker or thinner with age?

As the oil oxidises, there are two parallel problems arising. Firstly, as a result of the oil molecules reacting and joining together, the oil becomes thicker and darker. The heavier the molecules become, the heavier, or thicker, the oil gets to be.

Which is thicker 20w50 or 10w40?

10w40 oil is a popular all-purpose oil designed in many different engines. 20w50 (also known as 10w30) is another popular all-purpose oil used in engines. The differences between 10w40 and 20w50 are small, but they have something in common: They are thicker than regular 20w50 oil.

Is 20w50 good for petrol engine?

Suitable Vehicles

Depending on the recommendations for the particular vehicle, 20W50 oil is suitable for large or small diesel engines, gasoline engines, motorcycles and aviation vehicles. It is also suitable for both air- and liquid-cooled engines.

What happens if I use 20w50 instead of 10W30?

The main reason for using 20w50 is to slow down oil burning. If this is the case, using 10w30 would speed up the burning. I have had oil burners before, and used 20w50 in the summer, with no problem. But, your car will be hard to start in very cold weather with 20w50.

What happens if I use 10W40 instead of 10W30?

10W40 has a higher viscosity than 10W30. This means that when you pour 10W40 into your engine, it will have a harder time flowing through the engine and moving around the parts. However, if you use 10W40 instead of 10W30, the oil will stay in place better without leaking out or dispersing throughout your engine.

What is 10W 40 oil used for?

This oil weight is commonly used in diesel engines or in a smaller motorcycle engine too. The 10W-40 oil viscosity also often serves as an alternative for older engines with burning or oil leaking issues. Why is that? The 10W-40 engine oil has a thicker viscosity than, say, 10W-30 oil when the car engine is hot.