What is oil viscosity?

Engine oil viscosity refers to how easily oil pours at a specified temperature. Thin oils have lower viscosity and pour more easily at low temperatures than thicker oils that have a higher viscosity. Thin oils reduce friction in engines and help engines start quickly during cold weather.

What is the normal viscosity of oil?

For most paraffinic, solvent-refined mineral-based industrial oils, typical VIs fall in the range of 90 to 105. However, many highly refined mineral oils, synthetics and VI improved oils have VIs that will exceed 100. In fact, PAO-type synthetic oils typically have VIs in the range 130 to 150.

Is 5w30 oil thicker than 10w30?

The number 30 indicates the thickness of the oil when it reaches operating temperatures. Both the oils have similar viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius but 5w30 grade oil will thicken less than 10w30 grade oil in cold climate.

Which oil is thicker 10w30 or 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.

Is higher viscosity oil better?

Thin, low viscosity oils flow easier to protect engine parts at cold temperature. Thick, high viscosity oils are typically better at maintaining film strength to protect engines at high temperatures.

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

Can I put 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.

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 happens if I put 10W40 instead of 10W30?

Between a 10W-30 and 10W-40, 10W30 motor oil would run smoother in colder climates while a 10W40 would be more effective in preventing engine wear and tear in warmer temperatures.

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.

Can thick oil damage engine?

It's best to use the oil viscosity recommended in the owner's manual, but using a slightly thinner or thicker oil (lighter or heavier viscosity) generally poses no long-term harm.

What happens if I put 10w30 instead of 5w30?

Can I Mix 10w30 and 5w30? Most oils will mix perfectly, provided they have a similar synthetic. Therefore, there is no problem in mixing 10w30 and 5w30 since one will be topping up. Mixing the viscosity of oils will not have any effect on the engine.

When should I use 20w50 oil?

A SAE 20W-50 motor oil is typically used in older vehicles or in particularly warm climates. Castrol GTX 20W-50 has been specially formulated to help extend the life of your engine by keeping it free from sludge, even when operating in extremely high temperatures.

Which is better 5w30 or 5w40?

5w30 can be used by different type of vehicles and in different range of temperatures, but is ideal for colder temperatures. 5w40 is often used in higher mileage engine sand performs better in warmer temperatures.

Why is oil viscosity important?

WHY IS VISCOSITY SO IMPORTANT TO LUBRICATING OILS? Viscosity, or the thickness of the oil, is important because it determines the lubricant's film strength and efficiency in preventing friction between moving parts.

Why is viscosity important?

Viscosity of a liquid is an important parameter as it can be used as an indicator of quality by the consumer, in some instances a thicker liquid being thought of as superior quality when compared to a thinner product. Viscosity is also a characteristic of the texture of food.

What does 15W40 mean?

15W40 refers to the SAE class according to which the engine oil was classified. The SAE class describes the viscosity of an oil, i.e. its flow properties as a function of the operating temperature. Engine oils of class 15W40 are multigrade oils. These have good flow properties at cold and warm temperatures.

What is best oil for high mileage cars?

What oil should I use in my high mileage engine?

If you know your vehicle has received regular oil changes at the manufacturer's Mobil 1™ High Mileage synthetic motor oil is the best choice. Why? This high mileage oil contains a higher base oil viscosity to help reduce leaks and provide better high temperature protection.

What oil is best for old engines?

Is 10W40 fully synthetic?

Semi-synthetic oils such as 10W40 have long been the standard. Their base is refined crude oil, which is then blended with additives. However the market is moving towards synthetic oils.

What does SAE oil mean?

A letter for every lubricant type

Therefore the first three letters you need to know are SAE, the acronym of the Society of Automotive Engineers. This society is responsible for establishing a classification system based solely on oil viscosity.

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.

Which is better 10W30 or 10W40?

10W40 oil has a higher viscosity, retaining more thickness than 10W30 as the temperature rises. In that case, 10W-40 motor oil would technically provide better protection against engine wear contact in higher temperatures.

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.

Is 10W40 thicker than 5w30?

At high temperatures, the 5w30 oil is thinner than that of 10w40 since 30 is lower than 40. These numbers, however, do not depict the actual viscosities of the oils at extreme temperatures.