Is 5W-40 Oil Fully Synthetic?
1 Answers
5W-40 is a fully synthetic oil. Classification of automotive oils: There are 4 types for summer use, 6 types for winter use, and 16 types for all-season use. The summer oil grades are 20, 30, 40, and 50, with higher numbers indicating greater viscosity and suitability for higher temperatures. Winter oil grades are 0W, 5W, 10W, 15W, 20W, and 25W, where 'W' stands for Winter. The smaller the number before 'W', the lower the low-temperature viscosity, better low-temperature fluidity, and suitability for lower temperatures. All-season oils have grades like 5W-20, 5W-30, 5W-40, 5W-50, 10W-20, 10W-30, 10W-40, 10W-50, 15W-20, 15W-30, 15W-40, 15W-50, 20W-20, 20W-30, 20W-40, and 20W-50. The smaller the winter number, and the larger the summer number, the higher the viscosity and the broader the temperature range. Oil grades: Generally, oils can be divided into the following grades. The most basic is mineral oil, followed by semi-synthetic oil, and the highest quality is fully synthetic oil. This classification is based on API standards. Mineral oil is made from refined petroleum as a base, with some additives. Its chemical molecules vary in size and consistency, leading to average performance, easy oxidation, and shorter lifespan. Semi-synthetic oil undergoes hydrocracking, offering better performance than mineral oil. Fully synthetic oil is artificially made, with uniform chemical molecule alignment and consistency, making it the highest quality.