Differance between oils 10-30,10-40, 5-20 etc.?

Question

Can someone explain the differant oil ratings and if they differ from one car to the next ? By make and model or type of car IE truck, suv, passenger car ?

Answer 1

Yes there is a difference.I know 10-30 is a thinner oil, and as you go up to 10-40....ect..the thicker the oils gets.I think the smaller the motor...the thinner the oil.So for like a 4 cylinder motor I would use the 10-30.I used to have a ford thunderbird V-8, and we always used the 10-40.If this don't help then you should call an auto parts store....they can look it up and tell you!Hope this helped!

Answer 2

the numbers mean the tolerance of the viscosity at the lowest and highest extreme temperature. Long story short, the bigger the spread between the numbers, the better the oil.

If you are into extreme auto cross or street racing, 0w-50 is what you should be using.

The lower the first number, the faster your car will warm up. (less idling to get the temp gauge rising). The higher the latter number, the better it will stand up during the summer months.

Also if you are eco conscious, get the biggest spread oil. It's less thick and you'll get a little more miles per gallon. Cutting through all technical jargon, lower the viscosity, the better your engine will run.
For most passenger vehicles, you don't need anything more than "synthetic" run of the mill oil. Even though many oils seem no different, that's like saying "all university educated people have the same intelligence" Some are definetly from better schools and some are better students. It's idiotic to think that Joe Schmoe from Idaho who went to JackAss University is as smart as Smarty Pants who went to Harvard.

That being said, Mobil and BP process their own oils. They don't buy it from others and recan it. So that's something you can keep in mind. Some boutique oils like Royal Purple are really expensive but are extremely good. The oil already has additives and you'll see a performance difference after the first 30 minutes. (the crappier the car, the more difference you'll see)

If you are unsure of what to get, stick to choosing synthetic oil and you're fine, unless you drive a Lambo, Ferrari, Porsche, BMW M, or a Lexus. In such a case, go to the dealer and have your oil changed.

Hope that helps

Answer 3

It's important to follow your car makers recommendations for oil grades and viscosities.

A 5W20 will flow better in cold weather than a 15W40 but won't have the thicker viscosity of the 15W40. But some engines require a thinner oil...read your owners manual or look it up online.

Answer 4

The lower the first number, the better it will flow when the temperature. The second number indicates how well the oil will hold up with heat. The higher the number the more heat the oil will withstand.