What's the difference between 10W30 and 10W40 (engine oil)? I did some googling on it but everything I found is mechanics mumbo jumbo! I'm never talking in tech tongue to a non tech person again... Now I know how they feel
Anyway, does anyone know the difference? Where one should be used or not used?
I had a mechanic told me it wouldn't hurt to stray away from recommended weights once in awhile.
Here's my understanding: the first number represents the "lower end temperature" and the second is "higher temp states"
i.e. If you live in a climate where it is always cold and never gets extremely hot use something like 0w30 or 5w30,etc.... if you live where it is usually extremely hot and usually not very cold then, 15w50.
The different numbers represent the viscosity range. ie; 10w30 means the oil's viscosity range goes from 10 weight to 30 weight and so on with the different number designations. As driving conditions demand the oil can actually change it's viscosity.
And there are also straight weight oils that stay the same viscosity pretty much no matter what. ie; 30w, 40w, 50w, etc.
Living in the lower Mainland (BC Canada) where it's never to cold and never to hot... I should be using 10w30 or 40.
I'm trying to figure out why my father in law (who is a retired mechanic) uses 10w30 in my F150 (5.4 litre) and 10w40 in my wifes jetta (4 banger).
Originally posted by Bushmaster P.S. the "w" stands for weight.
Nope. you can buy 20, and 20w. the w stands for winter.
Quote:
Oil viscosity grades with a "W" were formulated for cold temperatures, while viscosity grades without the "W" were suited for higher temperatures. Before the development of viscosity modifiers in the 1940s allowed the manufacture of multi-grade motor oils, motorists commonly had to switch viscosity grades in their vehicles with the seasons. U.S. oil companies have been marketing multi-viscosity oils, such as SAE 5W-30, SAE 10W-40 and SAE 20W-50, since 1945.
Living in the lower Mainland (BC Canada) where it's never to cold and never to hot... I should be using 10w30 or 40.
I'm trying to figure out why my father in law (who is a retired mechanic) uses 10w30 in my F150 (5.4 litre) and 10w40 in my wifes jetta (4 banger).
The Jetta engine is harder on the oil than the Ford. That's one reason to use a higher viscosity. Another is the clearances in the engine (how "worn out" it is.) A worn engine works better with a heavier oil: but not too heavy! Especially if it's very cold.
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