Motor Oil Viscosity Grades Explained! How To Read The Grade Of Motor Oil?

Motor oil comes in many different viscosity grades, determined mainly by their temperature ranges. These grades tell you the thickness of the oil; thicker oils protect better from wear and tear at lower temperatures.

In comparison, thinner oils flow more freely at higher temperatures, resulting in less friction and better fuel efficiency. All this while also making sure that all moving metal parts inside the engine stay well lubricated at all times.

In this blog post by Cutter Mazda Waipahu, we’ll discuss what you should choose if you are looking for a suitable viscosity grade for your car!

As you can see, there are many types of oils designed for different conditions that your engine might be exposed to. You might think it’s easy to just pick the best one – but there is more! The thickness of your engine oil does not always directly relate to cold weather protection, so always check what type of oil you need based on your climate and driving conditions first.

What do I Need?

Several factors determine which motor oil type you should use in your vehicle:

Winter/Summer grades

Winter or summer grades refer to how well an oil deals with low and high temperatures. Winter grades have a lower viscosity, while summer grades have a higher viscosity.

Driving Conditions

If your car is exposed to cold weather most of the time, you should use motor oil with winter grades and keep in mind that it will be thinner when it’s hot outside.

Engine Type

Engines differ by manufacturer and model – make sure to check if your engine requires synthetic or semi-synthetic oil and choose an appropriate viscosity grade.

Here are a few things you need to look for:

You drive on snowy roads every day throughout the year

Use an SAE 0W-30 synthetic motor oil in the winter and SAE 0W-20 motor oil during summer.

You drive mostly on highways

Use an SAE 5W-40 synthetic motor oil, no matter if it’s winter or summer.

You drive in moderate climate conditions (below 32 degrees Fahrenheit)

Use an SAE 10W-30 semi-synthetic motor oil. It can function well in both extreme cold and hot weather conditions.

Using the wrong viscosity grade is one of the most common mistakes drivers make, so please check your owner’s manual to find out what type of motor oil you should be using in your car.

Why Should I Care About Motor Oil?

There are three main reasons why you should be interested in finding out more about motor oil.

Firstly, it is a necessary part of your vehicle that ensures optimum performance and helps keep your engine from failing prematurely.

Secondly, if you want to save money on fuel, it is a great idea to use a high-quality oil brand that will improve fuel economy.

Thirdly, it is a part of your car that should be checked monthly for signs of wear and tear.

Cutter Mazda Waipahu in Waipahu, HI, is here to help you with engine oil change and all your car-related issues.

Schedule a service now!

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