2007-06-05 16:15:08 · 13 answers · asked by tammys0420 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
why is there always a 10 before the "w"? What does that 10 stand for?
2007-06-05 17:17:41 · update #1
Motor oil with 2 numbers "5w30,10w30,10w40,20w50, and so on" means that it is a multigrade oil. As with strait weight oil "30w, 40w, 50w,etc." multigrade oil gets thinner when heated and thicker when cooled. But multigrade oil has additives that try to reduce the amount of thinning and thickening, therefor keeping the oil closer to a preferred thickness more capable of lubricating your engine over a greater range of temperatures. The first number represents the thickness of the oil at a cooler temperature. If you are working with 10w30. That means the oil should be the same viscosity at strait 10w oil at the same temperature. The second number represents the thickness of the oil at a higher temperature. Again, using 10w30 as an example, would mean that this oil should have the same thickness "hot" as a strait 30w would have "hot". As you can see, a multigrade oil in a way acts like two different "weight" oils in one.
Hope this helps you, for more technical details look around at the link below.
2007-06-05 18:20:23 · answer #1 · answered by Phill 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
what is the difference between 10W30 motor oil, and 10W40 motor oil?
2015-08-18 22:38:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The 10W-40 oil will stand up to the heat a little better and be a little thicker when hot. good luck. I would suggest going with the manufacturers recommendation for the type of oil that you use.
2007-06-05 16:21:28 · answer #3 · answered by Fordman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
10w 30 Oil
2016-12-17 09:56:31 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
10w30 Oil
2016-09-28 05:43:35 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what does the se mean on motor oil
2015-05-07 12:32:58 · answer #6 · answered by tim 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
10W40 motor oil has a higher viscosity level than 10W30.
2007-06-05 16:26:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
w stands for winter. 10w30 means that its 10 weight when its cold and 30 at operating temp. 10w40 means 10 at cold and 40 at operating temp. Straight 30 or 40 means they do not change with the temp.
2007-06-05 16:38:15 · answer #8 · answered by PurduePete 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
higher number is thicker viscosity. use what your manufacturer recommends. some use thicker in summer, thinner in winter. normally there is one that good all year. some manuals show what oil to use at certain outside temperatures.
2016-02-25 06:56:02 · answer #9 · answered by Christopher 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
10-30 is thinner than 10-40 you must use the one specific for your car make per manufacture recomendation or you will void the warranty (if you have a new car)
2007-06-05 16:34:36 · answer #10 · answered by atomic0007 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋