Can someone explain to me how to read the oil grades?


1. What does 10w-30 mean?

2. How does it compare to other grades such as 5w-30, etc.?

3. Which is better in cold/hot weather, better MPG, etc.

Thanks

Is there a web link if it's too much info to type?

 

The W stands for weight. the 30 if I am correct is for the operating temp. Honda recommends 5w 30. I know this doesn't answer much but the w is weight if you look at some greases you will see weights like 70 and 90.

Edit:You wanted a link here ya go. http://www.howstuffworks.com/question164.htm

Edit again: Look at the links on the bottom of that page too


[Modified by Spade, 8:24 AM 1/4/2002]

 

Every bottle of oil will have three key pieces of info on it. The first is the API (American Petroleum Institute) service rating. An example of this would be SJ, which was adopted in 1996, and is to be used in gasoline engines in current and ealier vehicles. SH, is also the same thing.

Next, comes the viscocity grade, for exapmle SAE-30. This number tells the oils thickness, or viscocity. A thin oil has a lower number, and flows more easily, while the higher numbers equal thicker oils, which in turn are more resistant to flow.

Most cars today, like our Hondas, call for a multi-weight oil, such as 5W-30 or 10W-30. These multi-weight oils are made by adding polymers to the oils. The polymer enables the oil to have different weights at different temperatures. The first number in this viscocity grade (10W-30), the 10, stands for the viscocity of the oil at a cold temperature. The second number, the 30, stands for the oil's viscocity at operating temperatures.

So, the difference between a 5W-30 oil and a 10W-30 oil is the viscocity at cold temperatures. The operating temperatures are the same. In a newer engine, you can't go wrong with a 5W-30, or a 10W-30. In my Accord, I have been using Castrol GTX 10W-30 since I have had it, and when I had my Civic, I used the 10-30 as well. Hope this helps.

 

U just read the link didn't u

 

Typically most dealerships will put in 10w-30 because it makes the engine run smoother.

With 5w-30 you'll usually get a little better gas mileage.

 

Howd you know? Please, don't give me an F for plagirism.

Nah, seriously I just wanted to put down some basics, but if I could read better I would have seen your link That's a sweet site by the way....you can learn just about anything there, and the info is pretty reliable.


[Modified by accord55, 5:32 PM 1/4/2002]

 

Just a guess.

 

W stands for winterized.

 

Funny how I post the link but don't read it

 

Base on what is popular, it's fair to say:

If I want better protection, get 10w-30

If I want better MPG, get 5w-30

Thanks