lubricant oil question?

Question

what different between 5w40 (viscosity)

Answer 1

When you say "BETWEEN" that assumes you are talking about 2 more more items.

You only mention 5w40. Please clearify your question.


Good Luck.

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http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html
http://members.rennlist.com/oil/Motor%20Oil%20101.htm
http://www.valvoline.com/carcare/articleviewer.asp?pg=vcc20060101so&cccid=2&scccid=2
http://www.nordicgroup.us/oil.htm

Answer 2

Before multi-viscosity oils it was necessary to run 30 wt oil in the summer, and change it out to a lighter oil in winter.

Multiple viscosity oils made it possible to run the same oil across a wide range of climatic temperature ranges. A 5w40 was capable of accomodating a cold climate where a 5wt was necessary, but could also accomodate temperatures requiring a 40wt.

Some brands of oil are better than others, and all oils are 'rated' for their lubricity, or lubricating ability. The highest rating is GL-5, but it's almost impossible to find anymore because it's harder to refine. But it's out there. I get mine in 55 gallon drums from a Texaco distributor, but I live in an oil town that has alot of industrial stuff going on.

Out in the urban sprawl you may have a hard time locating it.

Answer 3

Here is is plain and simple; single weight oils are going to be thick when cold, thin when hot. The higher the number, the thicker at any temperature.

Multi grade (weight) oils don't thin out nearly as much as the temperature increases. For example, when cold, a 5W40 is going to be as thin as a single grade, 5 weight oil would be at that same temperature. When hot, it's going to be as thick as a single grade, 40 weight oil would be. That applies to all grades of motor oil whether it's a 5W30 or a 20W50.

In the good old days, if you had 30wt oil in your engine and you went out on a 0 degree morning, the oil was st stiff you were lucky if you could even get the engine to turn over. Running a 10 wt oil in winter solved the starting problem, but when the engine was up to operating temperature, the oil was as thin as water and did a poor job of lubricating.

Pligrim, I hope you're not using GL-5 in your engine, it's a differential oil. It stinks because it has lots of sulfur to resist shearing forces.

Answer 4

4

Answer 5

The number that you quoted 5W/40 referes to the thickness of the oil over a range of temperatures.
The W is a Winter or Cold indicator. 15W is much thicker when cold than a 5 or 10W.
If the oil is too thick, then it will not circulate in the cold and you will sustain more engine wear.
the 40 indicates the oil thickness at normal operating temp.
Please also be aware that you should not use normal car grade oil in a motorcycle engine, espeically if yours is a Wet Clutch, as car oils have additives like PTFE to encourage slippage which will penetrate your clutch. Car oils may also have different amounts of anti-foaming agents etc.

Answer 6

5 weight oil ...very thin and light,with the help of a catlyst turns into a 40 weight oil when heat is applied to it

Answer 7

and the other oil you want to compare it too
?????