Cutter Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Pearl City

Feb 18, 2022
A gloved hand pours golden-yellow motor oil from a gray container into a car engine, highlighting the oil cap.

Motor oil grades are one of the less-discussed things that car owners are concerned about. Many people are unable to read them or understand their meaning.

Did you know that the quality of your car’s oil can reveal a lot about its condition? If your car’s oil is unpleasant and gunky, it’s in bad shape. A low oil reading, on the other hand, shows that your engine isn’t getting the lubrication it needs to function properly.

This blog post by CDJR Pearl City , serving Pearl City, will show you how to evaluate the grade of your motor oil so you can be aware of exactly what goes inside your engine.

What do the oil grade numbers represent?

Motor oil grades are important because they disclose a lot about your car and help you maintain it better. The oil grade numbers written on the bottle seem like a lot of mumbo jumbo to car buyers, so let’s try to understand what these mystic figures mean.

The initial digit (0w) indicates that the motor oil is of “winter” quality. It means it can withstand cold temperatures without getting excessively thick, helping your engine to start quickly in subzero temperatures. In colder climates, the lower the first number, the faster your engine will start, and vice versa.

The viscosity of the motor oil at normal operating temperatures is represented by the second number (30). The number 30 indicates a lighter or thinner grade of motor oil. It promotes easy flow and lubrication even when your engine is heated, which can reach temperatures of up to 200F degrees Celsius in the summer: the higher this number, the thicker and heavier the motor oil quality.

The 20W-50 has a much lower -20 rating, making it ideal for cold starting, especially in harsh weather conditions like 0F degrees Celsius below zero or even colder! However, because the other figure, 50, is much larger than 30, it will be less effective if your engine is already hot.

Depending on What Factors Should You Choose Motor Oil for Your Car?

Several factors determine which type of motor oil you should use in your vehicle, mainly the following three:

Weather

Winter and summer grades refer to how well an oil performs in cold and hot weather. The viscosity of winter grades is lower than that of summer grades.

Driving Situations

If your automobile is frequently exposed to cold weather, you should use winter grades of motor oil, and keep in mind that it will be thinner when it’s hot outside.

Type of Engine

Engines vary by manufacturer and model, so check to see if your engine requires synthetic or semi-synthetic oil and select the proper viscosity grade.

If you’re looking to get an engine oil change done, our experts at CDJR Pearl City , serving Pearl City will gladly assist you in the choosing process and answer any questions you may have.

Schedule a service today!