What does oil numbers mean

Hot testing is done at temperatures between degrees Celsius and degrees Celsius degrees Fahrenheit and degrees Fahrenheit , Fenske said. In these tests, the focus is on seal leakage and the ability of the oil to protect internal engine components when it's in a thinner state.

You may have noticed the numbers on oil bottles getting lower recently, with some oils even wearing a 0W rating. That's largely down to efficiency, according to Fenske.

Thinner oils produce less friction, meaning less energy is required for rotating engine parts to move. Modern engines are designed to run with these thinner oils, so excess wear shouldn't an issue, Fenske noted. Watch the full video for more details on how motor oil works. A lot of engineering goes into the numbers on each bottle of oil. Sign up to get the latest performance and luxury automotive news, delivered to your inbox daily!

I agree to receive emails from Motor Authority. I understand that I can unsubscribe at any time. I fancy myself to be mildly handy around a car —I know when and how to change my brake pads , I know when it is time for new tires , and I can even change my own oil without destroying the engine.

However, there is one thing that I never really truly understood, other than that they are very important: the numbers on the oil bottles. For the Fixer: Check out the full-size pickup truck, the Chevrolet Silverado Straight weight oil is never recommended for use in a system that requires a multi-viscosity oil.

Straight weight oils are generally recommended for smaller engines or older vehicles that were made before multi-viscosity oils were produced. Is switching types of motor oil conventional, synthetic, etc. Conventional, synthetic blend, synthetic and high mileage motor oils are compatible and will not harm your vehicle's engine. Do I have to wait until my car reaches 75, miles before I can use MaxLife?

Valvoline MaxLife motor oil is designed for high mileage vehicles of 75, miles or more. However, it is perfectly acceptable to use the high mileage motor oil in new or used vehicles with less than 75, miles. Has MaxLife always been a synthetic blend motor oil? MaxLife has always been a synthetic blend oil; we just now label the product that way.

How to Adjust your Car Mirrors. How to Remove Rust from a Car. Deciphering the Puddle under Your Car. Do I Need New Tires? The Cheapest Used Cars to Maintain. How to Winterize Your Car. Tips on Purchasing Tires Online. A Look at Car Wraps. Select a Model All Models Model.