10w 30 the w = ?

[Billy-O]

Originally Posted by green 4 acres

it's someones silly scheme to change the phrasing ... in the 80's they wanted to talk summer -winter oil
engineering dept.s do not say..." hey give me that 20 winter oil" .

the specific gravity of oil is what differentiates the oil conditions is what is being talked about here ,
10 weight oil is lighter than 20 weight oil
10W40 a variable viscosity oil is supposed to have the propertys of a 10weight oil, when cold and 40 weight when hot

how Winter enters the picture ???

what is winter ? I don't know 3 billion people do not have it ,
you know the tropics , but they have engines and used oil

You don't usually see this "W" in single viscosity oil marked on your oil containers, do you? Such as SAE 30 oil. So we buy the right WEIGHT oil for our Kohlers in the winter.....and I use 10W(Winter)30 in my tractor. Or SAE 30 for the summer.

[J-Mech]

30w.jpg

So, this oil is only good in the winter??

[DieselDoctor]

Guess it depends on who you ask, us old guys or the newbies.

[cubby102]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

Attachment 81729

So, this oil is only good in the winter??

Yep sure. If ya want.... lol... wouldn't recommend it tho

[cubby102]

I was always told and taught that it stood for winter weight. I never did ask for specific temp ranges just assume 32*F and below the first number is its viscosity rating and the normal operating range is the 2nd viscosity rating..

[2009Dodge]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

Attachment 81729

So, this oil is only good in the winter??

That's hilarious! Really doesn't make sense in that format.

They measure multi-viscosity oils by measuring the time it takes for a standard amount of oil to pass through a standard orfice at 2 temperatures. The first 32 degrees (winter) the second 100 degrees. Basically 10w-30 flows like straight 10 weight at 32 degrees and flows like straight 30 weight at 100 degrees. Now that's only a flow test, no other pressure or wear tests. So straight 30 weight will still out perform 10w-30 in most other tests.

[green 4 acres]

And like I said "what is this winter you are talking of "
If you live in or near the Tropics ,( 80 to 90 degrees all year round) Im confused ? Guess you need 10 Summer 40
Garden Tractor- is becoming- riding lawnmower too

Oh and last night I called autozone ,I asked for 80 winter 90 oil ,"you mean 90 weight" he asks "no 80 winter 90 " says I...long pause ,"come on in we will fix you up "he says and click

[cubby102]

The "naming" of the oil has nothing to do with the place you life. It simply states that at operating temp the oil acts like a thicker one would. And at ambiant/cold temp it's acting like a lighter oil would...


You can call it whatever you eant. But I'm gonna stick with what the guys that actually design and produce it say

[Alvy]

Originally Posted by DieselDoctor

When I earned my college degree in Auto Technology many years ago, we were taught the "W" was weight. Times change is guess, and not always for the better.

X2. And by multiple teachers at that so I guess we were all wrong