Homepage

1. Engine Basics

2. Advanced Engine Tuning + Forced Induction

3. EFI Tuning

4. Chassis Tuning

5. Misc. Information

6. WHAT'S HOT in Auto

7. New Products + Tools

8. All Wheel Drive Civic Type RL

Contact Us

 

DOT Help

Department of Transpertation

Oil Viscosity and Weight

Contributed by: enginebasics.com

Oil is one thing that is very important to understand. Oil is to an engine, as blood is to a body. It is what keeps everything in check and alive. Making sure the oil in your vehicle is correct and clean is VERY important in sustaining the life of your motor. Be sure to check out our How to change your oil page to know that your oil is being properly maintained.

Many times people wonder what the differences in oil are. There are two types of oil that exist today.

1. Mineral Oil

- This is oil that is natural oil found in the ground that is refined to become the oil that we put in our engines and make gasoline from.

2. Synthetic

- This is oil that has been manufactured for use in a lab.

Next is to understand the weights and viscosity of oils. How stuff works had this to say on the topic:

“Multi-weight oils (such as 10W-30) are a new invention made possible by adding polymers to oil. The polymers allow the oil to have different weights at different temperatures. The first number indicates the viscosity of the oil at a cold temperature, while the second number indicates the viscosity at operating temperature. The Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ offers the following very interesting description of how the polymers work:

At cold temperatures, the polymers are coiled up and allow the oil to flow as their low numbers indicate. As the oil warms up, the polymers begin to unwind into long chains that prevent the oil from thinning as much as it normally would. The result is that at 100 degrees C, the oil has thinned only as much as the higher viscosity number indicates. Another way of looking at multi-vis oils is to think of a 20W-50 as a 20 weight oil that will not thin more than a 50 weight would when hot.“

Choosing the correct oil for your particular motor is best left up to the manufacturer if your motor is stock. For those of us that have built the motor hopefully this guide and outline will help you choose what oil type and weight might be good for your build.

***Remember*** to check for other relevant information in the columns and article tables.

ATTENTION READER:

If you enjoyed the information and article you just read be sure to check out our newly released book with even more exciting photo's and information:
How to Turbocharge and Tune your Engine

Follow Enginebasics on...

Want to know more about your particular Make and Model vehicle? All of these vehicles are covered in the tech, maintenance and repair articles found above. Enginebasics is the wiki or wikipedia of car part, repair, how to and tuning information. Let us be the class 101 for your automotive learning.

Individual Models

Below are just a few of the articles found here on enginebasics.com

Reading Spark Plugs	Camshaft Understanding	Engine Timing	Intake Runner Length	Exhaust Flow Tuning	Camshaft Timing	Engine Cooling Basics	Compression Testing	Forced Induction
Tuning A/F Ratio Basics	Intake Manifold Basics	A look at cooling mods	Camber Caster Basics	Sequential Vs Batch Injection	Fuel Pressure Regulator	EGT Vs A/F EFI Tuning	Engine Start Programming	What is a fuel Injector?
Brush vs Brushless Motors	4-stroke motor diagram	Crankshafts Basics	Automotive Relays	EFI Tuning Basic Thoery Guide	Understanding Electric Motors	Water Meth Injection	Intercooler Basics	e85 Basics
Water to Air Intercooling	Turbo Surge	EFI Air Intake Temp Tuning	Map vs. MAF Sensor EFI Tuning	Engine Start up tuning for EFI Cars	Building an EFI Surge Tank	Intercooler Efficency	Boost Controllers	Engine Oil Weights
Exhaust Cutout Basics	Cold Air Intake vs Short Ram	Engine HP and Torque Basics	Intercooler Sprayer Basics	Turbo Manifold Design Basics	Cryo Liquid Co2 Cooling	Oil Cooler Basics and Installation	Boost by Gear Tuning	Closed Loop vs Open Loop O2 tuning
Changing your own oil	Static Vs. Dynamic Compression	Air to Air Vs. Water to Air Intercoolers	Vented vs Recirculating Blow Off Valves	Engine Intake Exhaust Valves	Wiring a fuel pump relay	Synthetic vs Regular Oil	O2 Sensor Repair Fix	Embrace the TURBO LAG

**TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE TO ENGINE BASICS PLEASE CLICK: CONTACT US!

Testimonials Page

“Thank you, for the info, on your site, on how to remove valve springs, and install stem seals, using normal shop tools. Info from every other site I looked at, only said how to do it using costly special tools. Thank you for showing the REAL easy way, and saving me some money.”   Joe S

“Hello there,
            Don’t have any questions, just wanted to say thanks for putting this info out there.  So much mis-information on forums, good to read some solid info. Peace” Jay R.

Privacy policy and terms of service

Advertise

Copyright 2010 EngineBasics.com: Engine Basics. All Rights Reserved

Enginebasics Google+ Page