Car Oil Type

Viscosity Grades (Oil “Weight”)

Motor oil is classified by its viscosity, which refers to its thickness and ability to flow at different temperatures. The most common viscosity grades are:

5W-30, 10W-40, 20W-50, etc.

• The number before the “W” refers to the oil’s winter rating (the lower the number, the better it flows in cold temperatures).
• The number after the “W” indicates the oil’s high-temperature viscosity (higher numbers indicate thicker oil for higher temperatures).

Common Viscosity Options:

• 5W-30: Widely used in most modern vehicles, good balance for cold and high-temperature performance.
• 10W-40: Slightly thicker, often used in warmer climates or older vehicles.
• 20W-50: Thicker oil, generally used in high-performance engines or older engines that consume oil.