Can someone help me understand the numbers of motor oil? Like 5w-20 & 10w-30?
In: 3
These numbers indicate an oil’s viscosity – i.e. how “runny” it is.
The W stands for Winter, and the number before it is an indication of how easily the oil flows at freezing temperatures. (0 degrees C)
The second number denotes how well the fluid runs at hot temperatures (100 degrees C).
A car runs best when it’s oil is at a certain range of viscosity. If it’s too thin, then the car is not able to use the oil the way it needs (and it can end up in places its not supposed to go). Too thick, and the oil won’t move at all, causing similar issues.
So, in essence, these numbers assist in telling us what kind of oil is best for use in particular kinds of weather.
Thinner (5W-20 for example) is usually better for colder climates. Thicker (10W-30 for example) is typically better for hotter places.
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