There are different classifications of viscosity grades depending upon the oil type. Image source Reading the Oil Viscosity Chart On the other hand, SAE 5W-20 will always flow better than SAE 20W-50. But when you’re driving, the SAE 10W-30 will flow better as the oil will get hot and its hot oil viscosity grade of 30 is lower than 40 of the other engine oil. In other words, SAE 0W-40 will flow better than SAE 10W-30 when it’s cold as 0W is less than 10W. Viscosity grade is a measure of oil viscosity: the lower it is, the lower the oil viscosity, and vice versa. Oil viscosity grade when it’s cold - indicated by Wįor instance, a multigrade oil SAE 10W-30 means: the engine oil has a viscosity grade of 10 when it’s cold and a viscosity grade of 30 when it’s hot.The correlation between the oil’s name and its viscosity was decided by SAE and automotive manufacturers. Similarly, SAE 10W-30 means oil of a specific viscosity.

The engine oil number code is to engine oils what a name is to humans.Īnd you just pictured him in your mind. Read on to learn more about the oil viscosity chart to select the right oil for your vehicle’s engine. Instead, SAE has developed an oil viscosity chart you can use to get started within minutes. That doesn’t mean you have to sit in an hour-long lecture on oil viscosity. In other words, understanding how oil viscosity affects your car and which oil is the right one for your car is an important question you should ask yourself before changing your oil for the first time. It dictates how you select the engine oil for your vehicle since a wrong choice can decrease your vehicle’s performance. Viscosity refers to how difficult it is for a liquid to flow.

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