Decipher Oil Grade Numbers
Oil is one of the essential components in an automobile's engine, as it helps to keep the moving parts lubricated and operating effectively. It also helps carry away waste heat from these moving parts while protecting them against wear and tear, thus keeping the engine clean.
What happens when you don't change your motor oil on time or use the wrong kind of oil? Your engine becomes prone to premature failure, overheating, and corrosion, which can cause severe damage inside an internal combustion engine.
It is why it's crucial that you understand how choosing the right engine oil for your car is essential. This post by Nissan of Cape Coral will explain what the different oil grade numbers mean and choose the right one for your vehicle.
Oil Grade Numbers:
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has developed a system that rates oils according to their viscosity and performance. A colon separates two numbers in this system, such as "30:60." The first number is the oil's approximate thickness at low temperatures, while the second number is its approximate thickness at high temperatures.
Internationally Used Engine Oil Grades:
0W-20: This engine oil is typically thinner when you start the engine. When the motor is cold, 0W-20 has a viscosity of 0. When the engine reaches average operating temperature, the oil's viscosity rises to 20.
0W-30: The 0W-30 oil is designed to be a 0 weight oil at startup and a 30 weight oil at operating temperature.
0W-40: When the engine is cold, it's designed to be a 0 weight oil, and once it reaches its normal operating temperature, it becomes a 40-weight oil.
5W-30: It's the most widely distributed and used engine oil.
5W-40: It's the most expensive of the three, but it's also the one that appears to be working best in direct comparison with the others. It resembles a 5-weight engine oil when cold starting, and it behaves like a 40-weight oil once the engine reaches average operation temperature.
10W-40: The engine oil provides a 10-weight cold starting performance. On the other hand, it delivers a 40-weight operating temperature for the engine.
You might be wondering why you can't just use any motor oil in your car. Well, different vehicles require different types of engine oils according to their viscosity and performance.
Choosing the Right Oil:
When choosing motor oil, it is crucial to select one compatible with your vehicle's engine and provide adequate protection. The SAE rating system can help you indicate how the oil will perform under different conditions. It would help if you also double-check your car's owner's handbook to ensure you're using the appropriate oil viscosity grade for your vehicle.
Conclusion:
Most car owners can't figure out the right time for an oil change. That's when professional technicians at Nissan of Cape Coral come in.
We offer a variety of services for your car maintenance in Cape Coral. You can schedule a service online too!