What does W mean 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 oil grade W mean?

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.

What does the SAE and W mean on oil?

Therefore, on the bottles of this type of oils, after the SAE you'll find the letter W (from Winter) and a number indicating the oil's viscosity at low temperatures. An oil with a low SAE W number will flow better, making cold starts easier and reducing engine wear.

What does the W in 5w30 represent?

The “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.

What does 5 W mean in oil?

The first number (5W) refers to the oil's viscosity when cold, measured at 40°C (104°F). “5W” refers to the oil's viscosity when cold, measured at 40°C (104°F).

What does 10w30 mean? 'Engine Oil Explained'

What is thicker oil 5W or 10W?

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.

Will 10w40 hurt a 5w30 engine?

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.

Is 10w30 thicker than 10w40?

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.

Can I use 10w40 instead of 10w30?

The short answer is yes. Because both oils are formulated to give the same performance, it will be safe for you to use either oil. Some differences between the two oils include viscosity and base oil.

What is 10W in engine oil?

The 10W rating:

The 10W represents the oil's cold viscosity. Oils have a specified maximum viscosity at a cold temperature. The lower the W number is (“W” stands for Winter), the thinner the oil will be. In this case, a 10W rated oil will be thicker in winter than a 5W oil.

Is SAE 10W 30 the same as 10W 30?

The winner of best oil between SAE 30 vs 10w30 needs to be chosen with operating conditions in mind. Basically, SAE 30 works great in older mowers, but most newer mowers call for 10w30. SAE 30 is also better in warm conditions while 10w30 can accommodate colder ones as well.

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.

Does the W stand weight on 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 is wt oil?

Oil weight is a term used to describe the viscosity of an oil, which means how well it flows at a specific temperature. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) assigns a viscosity number, or weight, to oil based on its flow at 210 degrees F, which is roughly the standard operating temperature for most motors.

What does 80W mean in oil?

The value before the "W" (W=winter suitability) indicates the flowability of the oil at cold temperatures. Transmission oils with 80W remain flowable down to -26°C. You are well prepared for Central European winters. The number "90" refers to the kinematic viscosity of the gear oil at 100 °C.

Should I use 10w40 in summer?

Either 10W30 or 10W40 for summer use is fine; however, 10W-40 motor oil will better protect your engine.

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.

Which oil is better 5W 30 or 10W-30?

Suitable Vehicle Types. 5W-30 multi grade oil is ideal for private vehicles and light-duty petrol and diesel engines. It also provides a better cold temperature start than 10W-30 oil. On the other hand, the slightly thicker oil,10W-30, provides better lubrication for commercial vehicles and heavy-load engine cars.

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.

What is the best engine oil for hot weather?

There are a few ways to get your car prepared for summer with synthetic oils. If you're capable of changing your oil, you can find synthetics at auto retailers. Look for containers with codes such as 0W-20, 5W-20, and 5W-30. These correspond to specific synthetic oil mixtures approved for standard vehicles.

Is 10w40 good for high mileage?

Designed for high mileage vehicles

Mobil 1 High Mileage 10W-40 motor oil is recommended by ExxonMobil for use in high mileage vehicles (even those that have used lower quality conventional oils^†), including: Cars. Trucks.

Will the wrong oil damage my engine?

Cause damage to engine life

The wrong engine oil can cause engine damage because it does not properly lubricate its components. This will lead to metal-on-metal contact since the moving parts are not being lubricated. Friction quickly follows, causing engine parts to wear.

Is 5W30 better for older cars?

5W-20 and 5W30 motor oil are winter viscosity grade oils primarily recommended for older engines and light-duty use. These oils are best utilized in colder temperatures.

What happens if you put 5W30 instead of 5w20?

If you use 5w30 oil instead of 5w20 when it is not recommended or approved by your owner's manual, it can void your car's powertrain warranty, reduce engine efficiency, and possibly even damage your engine in the long run. Hopefully, this helps!