Engine Oil Codes Explained, SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) numbers - Oil Viscosity Explained
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- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
- Get a GREAT UNDERSTANDING of Multigrade Oil Codes, with this Unique Effortless Explanation.
The designations 0W, 20, 30, 5W30, 5W40, 10W30, 10W40, 15W40, and SEA30 stand for various motor oil grades and kinds used in internal combustion engines. Choosing the proper oil for your engine is crucial for both the longevity and proper running of your engine. Each of these codes and designations represents significant oil qualities. An expanded description of these codes and their significance is provided below:
Grades of viscosity, such as 0W, 20, 30, 5W30, 5W40, 10W30, 10W40, and 15W40: The vital characteristic of motor oil that shows its flow resistance is its viscosity. The viscosity of the oil at various temperatures is represented by the numbers in these codes. The "W" stands for winter, and the number that comes before it (for example, 0W or 5W) denotes the oil's cold-start viscosity, which is essential for starting an engine in cold weather. The oil flows better in cold temperatures the lower the number. The viscosity of the oil at working temperatures is indicated by the number following the "W" (for example, 30, 40). The oil is thicker at high temperatures, the higher the number.
It is crucial to select the optimum viscosity grade so that the oil flows smoothly under all circumstances and properly lubricates the engine's parts.
Engine Types (Gasoline vs. Diesel): The needs for motor oil vary depending on the engine type. Due to differences in the combustion processes, operating temperatures, and engine components, petrol engines and diesel engines each have their own special requirements. The incorrect oil can lead to insufficient lubrication and possible engine damage. In contrast to diesel engine oil, which is frequently referred to as "Turbo Diesel" or "Heavy-Duty Diesel," petrol engine oil is specifically manufactured to satisfy the needs of petrol engines.
There are several grades and formulas of motor oil within each type of engine oil. The American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), for example, have established a number of performance standards and requirements that are used to define these classes. These grades guarantee that the oil satisfies specific performance and quality standards. One such classification is SAE 30, which designates a single-grade oil suitable for particular engine types.
An essential component of engine maintenance is changing the oil. Your engine will get the essential lubrication and protection it needs to run effectively if you choose the right oil type and grade. For information on the proper engine oil specifications for your particular engine, you must either check the manual for your car or a professional. Selecting the incorrect oil can result in engine wear, decreased performance, and even expensive repairs.
Many thanks indeed
Craig Kirkman (Owner and Creator of the 'The Repair Specialist' Channel)
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BEFORE COMMENTING - Gets thicker when hotter? Really? Please can I just ask before any more comments regarding this question come in, that you please look at this video that I made explaining further what I meant when I said this. This explains in much more detail and hopefully will satisfy your desire to know more. Here it is. Thank you. Craig: : ruclips.net/video/Tck6JU-KZgQ/видео.html
7p!
P
Watched at least 10 videos on the subject and your is by far the best (and pretty much the shortest). Good entry-level explanation - thank you.
I can't tell you how much I appreciate the time you spent on your explanation here!
I've asked countless car accessory store staff about this over the years and not one of them knew the answer.
I'm off to show my kids this so they know for future reference.
You are a legend!
It would be better if background music was turned off
Great video. One thing you did not mention is the temperature that the cold or "W" part of the oil is tested at. Unlike the second number that is tested at 100 degrees C, the cold number (W number) is generally tested at -35 or -40 degrees C. In other words, VERY cold temperatures. Far colder than most will encounter. With that said it is important to remember that while both numbers on a multi-grade oil such as 0W-40 are tested to SAE standards, they are tested at very different temperatures meaning they are not exactly on the same scale. Using the 0W-40 as an example, one may think that as the engine heats up to 100 degrees C, the oil actually thickens as you are going from a 0W to a 40. This is not the case as the two grade numbers cannot be directly compared as they were created using different baseline temperatures. Therefore, the oil is actually getting thinner as the car warms up to 100 degrees C and reaches its 40 rating. This can be likened to comparing Celsius and Fahrenheit. Just because 60 degrees Fahrenheit is a higher number than 20 degrees Celsius does not mean it is warmer. In this case, 20 degrees Celsius is warmer than 60 degrees Fahrenheit, despite the representing number being lower.
thak you ✌
Hi so what is the actual weight of an oil is it a 0 or a 40 im still not understanding that part
Interesting
@@slicktmi he means that you could have an oil such as 0w-9999 and it could be theoretically be thicker at lower temperatures due to the testing differences at each temperature. That’s how i understand it.
Awesome, finally an excellent way to explain for me an non-mechanic! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and wisdom with us!
All these years and I never understood this. This video simplifies it.
I’m studying to become a archipelago Captain here in Sweden. And we have a test coming up in our machine class. This helped me alot. Thank you very much. You just earned yourself a sub! ⚓️
Sir you changed my world!!! 😐
I was always confused buying my oil for bike. after trying several times, as I usually learn the hard way, I sticked to 10-40. it suits me well and give me great acceleration and top speed.
many many thanks and respect from Pakistan!😘😘😘
triple nipples that's YOU!!! useless people where only sitting on your teleFCKINvision all day long!!!!
Sultan Mehmood Ghaznavi oil doesn't give you a top speed
I have a repair shop and my mechanics were having a really hard time in understanding oil configuration numbers. This video solved our problems, very well explained! Thank you very much for sharing it.
Thanks man. People like you make life easier and worth living.
5w-50 thanks to the great personality who cleared all the doubts about oils 😀
I found this the best one explaining about engine oil grades yet. You cleared my concept. But please use a dedicated mic for clear voice. Thank you!
As a mechanical engineer it help me a lot. Thank you🙏🙏🙏
Best oil vid on youtube simple and easy to understand.
Actually
wow .. after ruining though so MANY of others explanations of how to explain the oil code properly.. YOUR video explains it the MOST Simplistically and properly..THANKS !
Thank you so much for making this video. Im 39 and ive always thought 5 was the hot viscosity and 30 when cold. It just made sense so i never questioned it. But now that you explained it it actually made no sense to have an oil thin out at higher temps but actually get thicker. Pretty cool how they can make it act that way. Very helpfull video👍
One day on a trip I had to add a litre of oil to a warm engine at a fuel station. They had stored the oil outside, and ambient temp was -40 degC. I was shocked how long it took to pour the oil out of the can into the engine, about 5 minutes. Truly, molasses.
Thanks for clear and understandable information, and thanks for getting right to the point!
My pleasure! Thank you so much for your kind feedback. Craig 👍👍👍
Thanks very clear, best part, no distracting music blasting out.
The clearest explanation I have found on RUclips. Thanks
Andrew Morris thank you
I'm so glad that you shared your knowledge. Thank you for sharing
I do have a question for clarification.
I was a mechanic for 5 years.
When I would do a simple service of a morning when the customer had just been driving the vehicle, the oil being very hot would come out of the sump very very quickly (When the numbers specify that the oil is meant to be thicker).
Servicing a vehicle at the end of the day however, when it has sat in the carpark and cooled down to ambient temperature, the oil would come out a lot slower (which according to this video, it has a lower viscosity reading therefore is thinner).
How does "cold, thin" oil come out slower and "hot, thick" oil come out quicker?
Great video!
based on my logic. it should be because of gravity. the lubrication on metal surface and dripping vertically over the air.
Downloaded the video. Very useful explanation of SAE purposes code. Thank you for sharing!!!
The 5 weight oil separates from the 30 weight oil into different layers, heavier oil laying closest to oil pump suction tube and is picked up first, in a cold engine. That’s why is important to let the engine warm up for a couple of minutes before reving up and driving away. Think about this, if it’s in single digits outside and you start the engine, why force it to reach full operating temperature of 100C in a matter of a few seconds like most drivers do? Just start the car and let it warm up to where the temperature gauge begins to rise is sufficient.
Nope.
dont race or rev your engine in the first 3 to 5 minutes.let it run slow untill it gets warm
ijaz Khan especially in low powered engines.
I tried to race my engine but it won.
Try to tell that to Harley riders
Why bro?
kaun se jamane se ho bhai ??
That now make sense to me. As I own a couple of Retro Motors and rather than shaft the engine. I now have a understanding of the oil I use in them...
i watched a lot of videos explaining the same thins but yours is the clearest one .. big thank u to u :)
Thank you so much for your positive feedback. It really motivates me to continue making these vids. Thanks again.
please do, never stop.
the way I understand it, from owning old oil burners dating back to the 70,s that a 20w 50 oil, because its heavier in viscosity therefore when it gets hot it wont thin out as much as a lighter weight oil, therefore it wont burn off as quickly as a lighter weight oil so good for older engines that the oil rings are shot ,and the motor is on the way out ,or in need of a rebuild , but not suitable for modern cars, which some of them require fully synthetic light weight oils to even start .
GrooberNedJardine - yea my g35 had to get a new motor cz of that.
GrooberNedJardine so i can used the 20w 50 for my 00 5.7 vortec 350 with 177k on it?
GrooberNedJardine when the time gets cold it would get thick and takes a Lil longer to go around in engine what would u recmomend for a 1G marks engine in an tropical island?
try 10-40 first and see how that works . basically u should run as thin a oil as works to make your engine run well and not use oil .
@@jameslee2105 20/50 was the first of the Multigrade oils. Brought out in the 1960's to replace the Straight 30 summer oil and 10 winter oil. no additives, and no detergent in straight oils! The result was more carbon build up and the engines have to be de coked. How many youngsters have heard THAT term before? I run two 75 year old Dodges with flat head straight six side valves. Both engines were originally built for Straight oils, and by modern standards have a low compression and high capacity, as such for nearly a 4 litre engine only rated at 57hp. I now use a semi synthetic 20/50, it holds pressure better at high temprature, especially on a long drive, keeps the engine cleaner, the detergent again, is more stable for longer periods, and due to an increase in engine effeciency, along with modern fuel, they will run on anything better than 78 Octane, just, gives better horse power. Oil does more than lubricate, it cleans and helps regulate running temprature. Modern oils allow much closer parts tolereance and there fore more power for smaller capacity.
Again, simply explained and not full of jargon....thanks
best explanation , love the ac"cent ,thank you,.cheers
Simply put, the lower the w number, the less the oil’s physical properties would change due to temperature. More stable in viscosity throughout the temperature range.
So an easer way to see it 5w-30 it is 5 viscous when cold and 30 vicious when warm I think?
Impossible . When temperature increases viscosity decreases becaue it becomes thinner.
When density reduces viscosity will increase.
5w means on -18°c oil viscosity 30 means on 100°c oil viscosity.
This video is the most logical explanation I'm searching for.
mate thank you very much for grate explanation, i have put in my car 5w40 but dealer recommended 5w30 i was worry but after saw your video now know much more, thank you
Nice video. I have a question. I always wondered if the 5 and the 30 are on the same scale? It is just difficult to digest that when it is always easier to change the oil on a warmer engine as it flows better. So 5 and 30 are on the same scale? or each temperature has its own scale?
Yes so why does it drain quicker when warm?
@@darrenmicklewright2008 If it acts like 5 when cold and 30 when it gets warm. And the higher the number the higher the viscosity, then is it thinner when cold? Or the 5 and the 30 are on 2 different scales?
Don't go by the oil filler cap when selecting the grade of oil. Go by the owners manuel. The owners manuel correctly describes what oil to use, because summer time requires higher viscosity than winter time. Ideally, in some areas of the country, oil should be changed seasonally.
thanks
I had no idea. Actually, I always thought it was the other way around. Thank you for enlightening me!
good well put together vid many thanks
Чудесна работа, сега вече зная какво е W5 ---- Great job, now i know what it is W5
Thank you so much.
Engineering Explained would have taken about 30 mins to explain this. fast and to the point i like it
The daft thing is most of the tech data for engine oils states the viscosity at 100 degrees and 40 degrees. They should state the viscosity at zero degrees so you can get and idea of cold cranking performance.
Another aspect to consider is that engine oil grades have an allowable range of viscosity.
SAE30 for example has range of 9.30 - 12.49 cST.
Great explanation, always follow the manufacturer oil specification for your engine 👍
Close but not quite right.
The best explanation I have read ,
was from an engineer involved in
the manufacture of synthetic oil.
5w is viscosity at sae low temp,
eg cold start.
30 is film strength at sae high temp,
eg, hard use.
The best explanation I’ve ever heard. Thank you for sharing this sir. Regards from Perth WA.
This is such a clear explanation. thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you so much for giving me your positive comment. You have helped keep me motivated. Thanks
TheRepairSpecialist .
clear and concise. No waffle .
That's raining on wet .. but still one of the nicest explanation ever.
André Ribeiro, that's fair enough. Thank you for your positive feedback.
quick question, almost all new Japanese cars run on 0w-20 these days as they are trying to push fuel economy and shorten warm up times etc. The manufacturers say they use 0w-20 so the cars have 0 warm up time. I find this hard to believe because regardless of how thin the oil is, surely it still needs a few moments to circulate and coat all the parts properly. Is it really possible to have no additional wear by using a very thin oil?
Hi, as you said, they use these oils to help lubricate the engine more efficiently from a cold start. As for the Japanese manufacturers in question, well they must have conducted some of their own tests on these oils with there products. I imagine they have data showing reduced wear but like anything else we don't know for definite because we don't have their data to verify this. It is, however, well known that an oil with a low cold viscosity, such as 0w 20, will get to the engine parts quicker when first starting. But to answer your question directly, I would say that it would reduce wear, but I can't say just how much exactly. I hope this helps a little. Thanks
Hello, thanks for the lengthy and detailed response :)
TheRepairSpecialist
I didn't even watch the whole video and I love how you explained it. I'll have to watch it a few more times to have it fully embedded in my head but I do understand.
I think it'll have less wear at start-up and more wear at temperature. So which is worse?
TheRepairSpecialist i
Excellent explanation for the use of the various oils. Years ago if one used Castrol GTX 20W/50 it was considered to be the best.
I only use Castrol brand, I try pennzoil 1 time and my oil stick start to getting yellow stains.
very well explained, so easy to understand
Hi, thank you for taking the time to give me your positive feedback. I really do appreciate it. Thanks again.
At 3:10 there is an inaccurate statement though. He says that "if it gets too thin at this temperature it will loose its lubricating efficiency" (when hot). While often and even for the most parts true it's not directly linked in that way. The viscosity isn't synonymous with film strength. They are for the most part related but it's not the same. The viscosity is calibrated so that the oil pump and lube system will provide a good pressure both when cold and warm. But you can have a very low viscosity oil resulting in quite noticeable mechanical engine noise, yet having a great film strength and actually providing excellent lubrication. I understand the simplified explanation but couldn't hold myself.
I tried to tell people that W on the 5w means winter. No one believes me even in college.
Jason Patrick the W does mean winter and suitable for WINTER use. you are correct pal
crazy tony, brilliant, thank you for your post.
Jason Patrick LOL and they say college guys should have more culture
Jason - don't fret. If motorists in this country REALLY payed attention to motor oil and engine life, the car companies would loose sales of new cars.
hahaha! just like that 10k recommended oil change right! so damn brain washed, no common sense.
This is one of the most useful engine oil grad video, many thanks!
Saleh Al Ateyah, thank you for your positive comment. I really appreciate it
Some high performance engines require an SAE 0W-40. Fast lubrication at cold start and thick oil film at high operating temp.
Simple and effective, thank you!
Got a question that perhaps somebody can help me out, since I asked 100 people, and I've got 100 different answers:
I've got an urban motorbike, 107 cubic centimeters engine. The manufacturer suggests a 15W40 motor oil. I've always choosen mineral oils and avoid semi and synthetics ones for a number of reasons not important here. My question is: does ANY mineral 15W40 engine oil works just the same independently of the brand? I'm asking cause there're a lot of brands available and prices vary wildly, despite all being the same norm.
For example (not real prices):
Motorcraft 15w40 mineral is 1 buck.
Shell Helix Hx5 15w40 is 5 bucks.
Puma Hd Super 15w40 is 10 bucks.
All have the same specs, don't they? They're all 15w40, mineral. But they are all change in price.
Thanks!
I likes and respect all of modern science and technology. Kind regards.
Even I could understand it; one of the best explanations I've heard. Many thanks!
The numbers are just codes but they are related to the behavior of oil. W is for winter. For example 0w40: 0W is the code that tells the oil has a min of 3.8cSt viscosity at a temperature of 100C, and also it has a minimum of 6.2K cP at -35C, as cranking viscosity, and max 60K cP as pumping viscosity at -40C. That 0W contains a lot of information, it is not a single value. I think it is better this code to be low.
The second code 40, tells the minimum and maximum limits at 100C which is this case are: between 12.5 and 16.3 cSt. This code should be recommended by the engine manufacturer. They also recommend the first code( because they don't give them separately but as a complete codes such as 10W 40), but if there are more than one option, the lower is probably better as it performs better at cold start. The high W codes don't even mention lower temperatures operations. For example 25W
has higher viscosity at -10C than a 0W at -35.
I've noticed that the first code is in conflict with the second as each has a minimum viscosity cSt level. Which one of them applies at 100C?
Also the characteristics change over time and as you use the engine. The min - max values at 100C may be due to degradation over time and use or simply not all lots are the same, I'm only guessing.
There are no magical ingredients that make an oil have lower viscosity at cold start temperatures than at 100C.
Thanks for posting
Ibnul Hossain, I really appreciate your feedback, that you
Fish oil..hehe
Thank you for the time taken to make this very informative video. Very straight forward and easy to understand.
Thank you for giving me this positive feedback. I really appreciate it. Thanks again
Good video but the winter viscosity is tested at -40F/C:
0W will give protection down to -40F/C
5W will give protection down to 0F/-18C
10W will give protection down to 32F/0C
Nice clear and concise explanation of multi grade oils. Thanks!
thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge, it is very helpful indeed. stay blessed
SK J. Thank you so much for your nice feedback. I really do appreciate it.
Bugger
I thought it was the other way around my entire life
Thanks for explaining that
My grandfather ran the production end of an oil refinery for about 25 years. He said the first number, in this example 5W, is the actual thickness of the oil. During the " cracking" process polimers( you can think of them as microscopic ball bearings, although they aren't) are bound into the 5W oil to make it lubricate as well as a straight 30W oil would. That's why I've always used 5W-30 in my Honda that calls for 5W- 20. Why settle for 20W lubrication instead of 30W lubrication when they're both actually 5W oil? When my older oushrod V- 8s called for 10W- 30 I'd use 10W-40 for the same reason.
what oil would u recommend for my racing mower
olive oil
Julius Bond fucking Good one!!!😂😂😂 lmao
coconut oil have electrolytes in it give you rapid acceleration
Brad E. Wortman Wesson!
Hair Oil!
If you have watched this video. You're in the right track of maintaining your engine well.
Thank you for this information. Very useful.
My oil is always cool.
Try canola or olive oil might work better ..
try also lubricant oil to make it fast
try virgin coconut oil also.
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Polyol esters are employed extensively in jet engine lubricants. Polyol esters are being utilized in this field for the last 40 years. No other compound has been used as its substitute since it would affect the lubricity, and this is likely to eventually hamper the working of the component. Polyol esters are employed along with Polyalphaolefin (PAO) Synthetic Oils in passenger car motor oils.
Superior qualities of polyol esters such as thermal stability, high lubricity, and better viscosity makes them a sought-after compound.
Thank you for this. Very informative
Tops explanation for the general population.
This is one of the most useful videos I've ever seen!! Thanks!!
Damn! Best Video on the Explanation by Far! Thanks for this...YOU Got a Sub!
Okay so explain to us why oil drains quicker and more completely when it is drained hot as opposed to cold?
This video cleared my mind about sae ratings
Efficient and packed with information 👏👏👏
thanks for greasing my doubts on all these oil jargons.
Very informative .. my doubts are clear .thank you ❤️
very simple, clear and up to the point directly. Many thanks.
God pless you.
In ambient temperature of 36c, at a constant speed of 160 km/h for several hours (cruise control) I only got an oil temperature of 98c in my KTM 1290 engine. It’s not easy to get up near 100c, but I’ve had max 102c a few times.
Such a great video! Very helpful info!
Thank you so much. Craig
At 2:03, you say that oil gets thinner (lower viscosity) at higher temperatures. But then you say that 5w-30 oil has a viscosity of 5 when it's cold, and viscosity of 30 when it's at 100 deg celsius, which is to say it's higher viscosity (thicker) when hotter. I'm confused...
But if your explanation regarding the hot and cold working temperatures and oil viscosity is correct, why is it generally accepted practice to run an engine for a while to heat up the oil before an oil change? The oil is then thinner, and subsequently runs out of the engine better / faster??? This would not be the case if the oil is thicker.
Excellent and thank u very much for educating abt oil and it helps me to select perfect number oil for my city weather conditions!
Best video on RUclips! 👍🏼👌🏻
Finally, someone knows how to explain this.
This was such a simply and well explained video. If only my school teachers had been as easy to understand!
thank you for presenting an easy to understand video. The reason that i searched for this information is that my car was recently serviced /oil change by a reputable service centre
i am now experiencing turbo charger whine which is low audible at low revs (vacuum cleaner sound when switching off) and occasional there is louder whine when starting from cold that last for approx 10 secs
fiat recommend Sae 0w-30 the service centre has used sae 5W-40
after watching your video i am assuming that this could be the cause of these turbo noises?
thanks for providing this video
And that's why you have to wait until the engine is warmed up (actually the oil) before driving !
If using the same tool of measurement as the last number or operating temp number, which is measured by a viscometer, the weight of the oil at starting temps of 40 C 100 F which is the temperature used would be about a 300 weight....Taking Mobil 1 as an example their 5W-30 it is over 65 centistokes at starting weight and only 11 at operating temp... a 50 weight is about 18 to 20 at operating temps
So would in theory an oil of 0w-60 would be a very high spec oil that could suit most engines? Or could that be too thin when cold and too thick when hot for lesser speced engines? Just playing devils advocate. Obviously the best oil is the manufacturer recommendation for the specific engine. Good videos.
Well, the lower the first number, yes, but the second number has to be within manufacturers recommendations though. I will be more specific by making a video on the topic to explain things better. Thanks
Thanks for posting this video! Great explanation!
ZJIGGA, thank you for your motivating comment.
Thank you! Great explanation. Now I need a video on how to RETAIN this. 😆
Hey thanks a lot for explaining it so clearly and concisely
Ahmed Saeed, thank you for adding this comment. I really appreciate it 😃👍
Thank you Sir!
Very informative yet simple and easy to understand.
Is there a difference between for example 0w-40 and 5w-40 at operating temperature.
Does the first number influence the second number?
I don't understand why you would use 5w-30 when you can use 0w-40, on paper the 0w-40 will be better when cold and also when hot.
I have same question
...well, I didn't know until I watched this clip. Thanks mate.
Glad to help
Now I get it. My father failed to teach me this. ;) thanks
Thank you for your positive feedback. I really appreciate it.