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The Curious Bag
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Selecting the right oil viscosity can help you get the most out of your motor vehicle. Different environments and driving conditions may require different grades of oil.
Grades
Viscosity refers to consistency of oil at a given temperature. The Society of Automotive Engineers grades oils by their fluidity at a certain temperature (the "W" or "Winter" number) and its "weight," or viscosity at 100 degrees C.
High-temperature Viscosity
Vehicles that operate in hot climates require thicker oils. Oils specially designed for these circumstances may have weights of 30, 40 or 50.
Low-temperature Viscosity
Low-viscosity oils such as SAE 10W can work well for cold weather operation but lack the thickness necessary to protect an engine at higher temperatures.
Types
Most modern vehicles use blended, multi-grade oils that work well within a wide temperature range. Typical multi-grade weights include 5W-30 and 10W-30.
Considerations
Switching an older car to a slightly thicker oil grade may help compensate for engine wear. Race cars or vehicles that routinely carry heavy loads may also require thicker grades.
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