can I use 4 stroke engine oil , in my old volvo 740......
2007-05-05 08:11:46 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
What do the numbers on engine oil mean 20/50 15 /40 etc ?
2007-05-05 08:16:46 · update #1
As long as it is not a diesel the following applies:
Yes. Your Volvo has a 4 stroke engine in it. That refers to almost all automotive engines in the US. Only the Wankel rotary motor used by Mazda is not a four stroke but it still used the same oil as a four stroke.
The term "four stroke" refers to how many times a piston travels (strokes) in the cylinder.
Starting with compression, where the piston is at top dead center, compressing the gas/air mixture which is ignited by the ignition system via spark plug, the piston travels downward(1) for one stroke(this is the only stroke that creates power). It then travels upwards(2) to TDC to push out exhaust gases.
The piston then travels downwards(3) again sucking in gas/air mixture. Then the piston travels upwards (4)compressing the air/gas, ready to be ignited again.
This makes for four strokes total.
The 10w40 etc. refers to the weight of the oil as established by the Society of Automotive Engineers(SAE). A multi-grade oil is indicated by the "w". It acts as two different weights of oil depending on pressure or temperature. Different wieghts and grades of oil are available. Common gas engine grading is SE,SG etc. If the second letter is a higher letter in the alphabet than required for your car, it is okay. A higher second letter supercedes a lower letter. i.e. SG replaces SF which replaces SE which replaced SD and so forth.
2007-05-05 08:51:22 · answer #1 · answered by mike h 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a good description of sae ratings has been given. in laymens terms a 20 40 oil has the the viscosity or thickness of a 20 grade oil at 0 degrees C and that of a 40 grade oil at 100 degrees C.
2007-05-06 00:58:33 · answer #2 · answered by Mick W 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Castrol do an oil for engines with over 75000 miles on the clock.
2007-05-05 08:17:50 · answer #3 · answered by Del Piero 10 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The oil thickness when hot, and cold.
2007-05-05 08:32:33 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. KnowItAll 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Normally summer and winter
2007-05-05 11:14:43 · answer #5 · answered by harry b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if you want to blow the engine up.
2007-05-05 08:14:59 · answer #6 · answered by Magic Cat 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
not to sound smart but "YES"
2007-05-05 08:14:38 · answer #7 · answered by star ray 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋