Understanding Motor Oil Grades: What Your Car Needs

Anyone who’s ever changed their car’s oil has probably wondered what all of those numbers and letters mean on the oil container. You know, like 5W30 or 10W40. But what do they mean? And should you even be worried about them?

Don’t worry! We’re going to break it down for you in this post so that you can understand the reading grade of motor oil and why it matters.

If you’re not sure which type of oil your car needs, bring it by Peter Boulware Toyota, and we’ll be glad to help you out!

The Viscosity Rating

Now let’s move on to those numbers: The viscosity rating refers to the thickness of the oil. A higher number indicates thicker oil.

Conventional motor oils typically have a viscosity rating of SAE 30 or SAE 40. Synthetic lubricants can have a range of viscosities, from SAE 20 to SAE 60.

If you’re using conventional oil in a newer car, it’s essential to use oil with the correct viscosity rating to ensure your engine runs properly and doesn’t overheat.

The API Rating

The next number on the can is the API rating, which stands for American Petroleum Institute. This tells you what kind of tests the oil has passed and how it compares to other oils on the market.

API SN oil, for example, means that the oil has passed tests to show it will perform well in newer cars. An SN-Plus rating indicates oil that is even more robust and can stand up to extreme heat.

A higher API rating doesn’t necessarily mean better performance; you should choose a viscosity grade first and then find the correct API rating within that category.

The SAE Rating

“SAE” on motor oil cans stands for Society of Automotive Engineers, which sets standards for how oils are tested and graded. You’ll see a letter, such as “W” or “S,” followed by a number after the SAE acronym on motor oil cans.

The letters and numbers together indicate what type of vehicle oil is designed for and its viscosity characteristics. For example, you might see an SAE rating like this: SAE 0W-20 or SAE 15W-40.

The first number in the sequence refers to how well the engine will start at low temperatures; it’s also known as the Winter Grade because cold weather can thicken oils that are too heavy, so they don’t flow freely through your car’s engine when it hasn’t been running long enough to warm up.

A lower number indicates better low-temperature performance. The second number is the viscosity rating at high temperatures, and it’s also known as the Summer Grade.

A higher number means that the oil will maintain its thickness better at high temperatures.

The “W” stands for Winter, while the “S” refers to Summer.

The Gist:

We are a dealership that provides services like oil change, batteries, and brake servicing and brief our customers about what is best for them. At Peter Boulware Toyota, serving Havana, FL, you can trust us to always do the right thing for your car.

Schedule a service if you see any signs of battery, oil, or brake problems, and our certified technicians will get you back on the roads as soon as possible!