my customers ask what is the difference and if it means that the higher the viscosity does it mean that the oil is thicker
2007-01-20 01:45:15 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Higher = thicker. In other words, 20w50 is much thicker -- 50 weight cold, 20 weight hot -- than the new 5w30 (5 weight hot, 30 cold).
HOWEVER...
Synthetic oils flow much easier when cold. Therefore, concerns about cold engine starting and being under-lubricated are greatly lessened with syn oil, compared with conventional "dino" oil. I ran 20w50 in my '89 Golf, and the cold weather starting was greatly eased when I went to the syn oil.
2007-01-20 02:01:08 · answer #1 · answered by geek49203 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the higher the viscosity, the thicker the oil. Check out Wikipekia for all you want know and then some. Basically, there two categories of fluids, newtonian and non-newtonian. Newtonian fluids, the viscosity does not change regardless of the stress placed upon the fluid. For example water flows the same no matter how fast you stir. Non-newtonian fluids do weird things. Example, stir sand or mud on a beach, it became soupy.
2007-01-20 02:34:14 · answer #2 · answered by Treebeard 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The higher the number the more viscus (resistance to flow).
Lower weight oils flow more freely,especially at low temps, but may flow too free and provide less lubrication at high temps. so higher weights are better at higher temps. This is why blends are most often used such as 5W (easy flow in winter) 30 (thicker at warm temps).
2007-01-20 13:06:46 · answer #3 · answered by teachr 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋