Choosing engine oil may not seem like a very high priority. But selecting the right engine oil can make a significant contribution to the overall efficiency of your vehicle.
Quality is everything when it comes to maximising performance and minimising your car's wear and tear.
It is therefore crucial that the correct grade of engine oil is selected when you have your car serviced.
If the incorrect grade of oil is used, this could:
- shorten the life of your engine
- reduce fuel economy
- create engine noise and damage overall performance
- if your car is still within the warranty then the correct grade of oil is vital in ensuring that this warranty is not invalidated
This is the reason why vehicle manufacturers recommend regular oil checks within their service schedules.
With the correct oil, wear caused by the friction of moving parts is reduced, leading to improved fuel consumption.
What do the numbers mean on oil viscosity?
When discussing the viscosity of an oil, we are talking about the measurement of the resistance to flow.
Generally, when you are looking at engine oil gradings, you will see that there are two numbers. These help you to understand the viscosity.
You will also notice that the first number is preceded by 'W'. This stands for winter.
Telling you how the oil will flow in cold temperatures. This is important for understanding how it will behave when you start the engine.
The second number tells us how well oil will flow when an engine gets to normal operating temperatures.
A rule of thumb to follow is the smaller the number, the better the oil flows.