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What do the numbers mean with motor oil?

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Xam:

Absolutely make sure to check the owners manual. Some vehicles require that you use a particular weight oil. If you use a weight other than specified you will void the warranty. Mind you...most vehicles do not fall under this category.
I know most new Benz's require Mobil 1 0w-40. The Pontiac GTO (05 and 06) require you to use a synthetic, though brand is not specified. Additionally several VW's require synthetic. I don't know of any Hondas that require synthetic...but its better safe than sorry...check the manual.

Xam

danny_galaga:


incidentally, the oil isnt measured by 'weight' but by viscosity. from memory the numbers relate to how mucher 'thicker' than water it is. so for instance a multigrade oil of 5w - 20 literally means winter grade is 5 times 'thicker' than water and the summer grade is 20 times thicker (which is what viscosity means, more or less). the two grades work independantally of each other, that is to say our 5w- 20 doesnt just mix together to average 12.5. this means at a low temperature some oil is thin enough already to start lubricating, but when the motor warms up it will be too thin and that is where the 20 grade oil comes in...

ChadTower:


If it's a Civic, given the reasonably average temperate nature of where he lives (in US terms), any of the standard motor oils will do fine.  5W or 10W, it's a small engine that runs forever, and while winters are damn cold and summers are pretty warm, neither are extreme enough to make a substantial difference in the life of his car when it comes to motor oil.  His car will very likely be sold off for reasons other than the engine itself well before the engine dies anyway.

And before anyone goes off on a "you're retarded that's asinine 99% of where he lives is t3h har$h", I live in New England, where it is roughly the same as there, and am from Canada in places where winters are much worse.

AlanS17:

I've always been told that as a vehicle ages, it appropriate to start using a heavier weight oil. My '96 Oldsmobile used 10W-30, but after about 100,00 miles I switched over to 10W-40. The reasoning is that the parts are becoming more worn in and a heavier oil will stick to them better.

Of course, I can neither confirm nor deny that statement.

Donkey_Kong:


--- Quote from: AlanS17 on January 01, 2007, 11:35:24 pm ---I've always been told that as a vehicle ages, it appropriate to start using a heavier weight oil. My '96 Oldsmobile used 10W-30, but after about 100,00 miles I switched over to 10W-40. The reasoning is that the parts are becoming more worn in and a heavier oil will stick to them better.

Of course, I can neither confirm nor deny that statement.

--- End quote ---

Heh- I'm totally buyin' that Alan. I have ran that very program with all of my high mileage clunkers! Just keep going thicker. Before ya know it I'll be dumpin' 80w tractor lube down the hatch...keep her alive for a few more miles!

 :cheers:

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