What does the W stand for in oil?

The “W” that you see on oil labels stands for the word "Winter" because this portion of the label shows the viscosity level of oil when an engine is cold. Motor oil that is thinner can flow more easily and faster. This is important because when you start a cold engine, the oil needs to lubricate the equipment quickly.

What does the W mean on oils?

The viscosity of an oil is measured by its resistance to flow. There are two numbers that define viscosity meaning. 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.

Does the W in oil mean weight?

“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 is W and T in engine oil?

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. That doesn't mean the oil gains viscosity as it heats up, though. It just means the oil will behave like a 10-weight when cold and a 30-weight when hot.

What does 5W 30 mean?

5w30 motor oil has a winter viscosity grade of five, meaning it's less viscous (less thick) at very low temperatures compared to, say, 10w30. It has a hot viscosity grade of 30, which means it is less viscous at high temperatures than an oil such as 5w50.

Explaining different oil types and their uses | Does the "W" on oil container mean weight??

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. What does this mean, exactly? Motor oil thickens when it's cold and becomes thinner when heated up.

Can I use 10W40 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 the meaning of 20 W 40?

what stands 20w40 for oil quality. Oil Viscosity. 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.

Is 5W 20 the same as 5W-30?

Key difference between 5w20 and 5w30

5w20 is an engine oil type characterized by its winter rating of 5 and an oil weight of 20 in warmer conditions. It is less viscous compared to 5w30. 5w30 has the same viscosity rating of 5 during winter but an oil weight of 30 during hotter conditions hence it is thicker.

What is W in 20W40?

A 20W-40 grade is an SAE grade, where 20W (Winter) is 20-weight/viscosity of oil, while 40 is 40-weight or oil viscosity at low temperatures, for example.

Is 5W or 10W thicker?

A 10W or 5W is the index for how easily the oil flows in winter (hence the W). A 10W oil thickens more than a 5W. The other number indicates the oil's resistance to thinning at high temperatures.

Is 5W 20 or 5W 30 better for high mileage?

As you have likely now concluded, 5W20 is better suited for colder temperatures. If you need motor oil for summertime performance, 5W30 is going to be the better bet. However, you should only switch to this oil type of your car manufacturer or personal mechanic recommend doing so.

What's the difference between 10W 30 and 10W 40 oil?

The viscosity of hot oil is measured using different test parameters than when the oil is cold, so the numbers after the “W” don't relate to the numbers in front of the “W”. The difference between 10W-30 and a 10W-40 is the high temperature viscosity. Obviously, a 10W-40 is thicker than a 10W-30 at high temperature.

What does the W in 15w40 mean?

"15W" refers to the flowability at cold temperatures (W=winter). It is still pumpable down to -25 °C, i.e. liquid enough to disperse in the engine. The number "40" describes the flowability of the engine oil at an operating temperature of 100 °C.

Can I use 5W 20 instead of 5w30?

Mixing 5W-20 and 5W-30 (or any other oils for that matter) may lead to faster wear and tear of your engine and eventually cause problems with the basic functioning of critical engine parts. And even if your engine allows it, you won't get any noticeable results by mixing different viscosity grade oils.

Which oil is thicker when hot SAE 20w 40 or SAE 40?

20w40 is thicker at high temperatures (normal operating condition of engine) compared to 10w30. For proper lubrication at operating temperatures high viscosity is desirable. So 20w40 will be good compared to 10w30 at normal operating conditions.

Why can't you go back to regular oil after synthetic?

Myth: Once you switch to synthetic oil, you can never switch back. This is one of the most persistent myths about synthetic oil—and completely untrue. You can switch back and forth at any time. In fact, synthetic blends are simply a mixture of synthetic and conventional oils.

What happens if you put 10w30 instead of 5W20?

Notwithstanding the recommendations of the car manufacturer, mixing 10w30 and 5w20 will not cause any sort of harm to the engine. However, a few drivers claim that it is safer to combine two multi-grade or straight weight oils, rather than mixing multi-grade with straight weight oils.

Is it better to run thicker oil in hot weather?

Engines need a thicker oil in the summer months because of the summer heat and its effects on thinning the oil out. When the weather cools down, you can switch back to a lighter, thinner oil, which will help preserve gas mileage in the winter months.

Which is better 10w40 or 20W50?

The 20th viscosity grade (i.e 20w50) is specifically designed for high temperatures situations, while the 40th viscosity grade (i.e 10w40) is specifically designed for cold-temperature situations.

Which oil is thicker 20w40 or 20W50?

As 20W50 is actually heavier oil than 20W40.

What is W in 20W50?

The numbers 20W50 refer to the viscosity of the motor oil, set by the Society of American Engineers. This refers to its fluidity or thickness. The "20W" indicates how quickly the engine will start when cold or in cold weather. The "50" refers to the thickness of the oil when the motor has been running for a while.

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 5W or 10W better for winter?

When it comes to 5W-20 or 5W-30 vs 10W-30, the opposite is true: the 5W oils will flow a little better in the cold than a 10W oil for maximum cold-weather protection and easier cold starts.

What's the difference between 5W 30 and 10W 40?

5w30 motor oil is synthetic motor oil that has a viscosity of 5 in low temperatures and viscosity of 30 at higher temperatures, usually 100 degree Celsius. 10w40 motor oil is synthetic motor oil that has a viscosity of 10 in low temperatures and viscosity of 40 at higher temperatures, usually 100 degree Celsius.