Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    Clough's Avatar
    Clough Posts: 26,677, Reputation: 1649
    Uber Member
    		  
    #1

    Feb 1, 2010, 10:20 PM
    How Do You Know When to Use an Engine Oil That Has a Higher or Lower Viscosity?
    Hi, All!

    How do you know when to use an engine oil that has a higher or lower viscosity in a car or truck?

    For instance: Does it have to do with the season of the year? Perhaps the size of the engine? The age of the engine? The location where the vehicle is being driven?

    Maybe even other factors?

    Thanks!
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
    Uber Member
    		  
    #2

    Feb 1, 2010, 10:42 PM

    Typically it's the temperature range expected. A lawn mower is expected to operate in the summer thus it has a higher viscosity than snowblower oil.

    One might use a higher viscosity oil when the rings are worn.

    As the link below states the oils used in a car are multigrade and the W stands for winter. The engine has a lower viscosity at low temperatures and then has a higher viscosity as the engine warms up. Your owner's manual for your car has a temperature range and the oil viscosity to use.

    BMCNO Motor Oil 101
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

To get higher wattage output in a lower output fixture. [ 1 Answers ]

We purchased a Harbor Breeze fan with light fixture, but did not see that the wattage output was only going to be 40 watts. We need more lighting in our room. We have tried bigger watt bulbs but the fixture starts to blink and then goes dim(back to the 40 watt output). How can we change that?

Lower engine pully [ 6 Answers ]

I have an older murray riding mower.. it starts great. But now won't go forward or backward. The belts are OK. But when I try to put it in forward or reverse, nothing happens.. in gear the pulley on the bottom of the mower doesn't turn.. any ideas? Thanks

Lower unit oil seals for wizard rototiller [ 1 Answers ]

Looking for oil seals part number for oil seals on drive unit where the tines shaft come out of the unit. Does anyone know of the manufacture parts for this? Wizard rototiller Model No. GIS 2020A37.

Oil viscosity? [ 1 Answers ]

What would happen to a motor if an oil of a lower-than-optimum viscosity is used

View more questions Search