What does 10w-50 oil mean?
1 Answers
The number 10 represents the minimum applicable temperature of the oil at minus 25 degrees Celsius, W stands for Winter, and 50 represents the high-temperature viscosity of the oil, which is the meaning of 10w50 oil. The oil grade usually indicates viscosity and quality. The oil grade consists of two parts: classification and viscosity specification, with the specific interpretation as follows: w represents the cold-start performance, and the smaller the number, the easier it is to start the engine in cold weather. Common grades include 0w, 5w, 10w, and 15w. The number 50 indicates the viscosity characteristics of the oil at high temperatures. High-viscosity oils (with higher values) may be more suitable for high-speed driving or heavy-duty vehicles. The number after w is an indicator of the oil's high-temperature resistance. The larger the number, the better the oil's protective performance at high temperatures. The grade after the oil classification represents its viscosity specification. For example, in "15w-50, 5w-50," the lower the number before w, the better the engine protection during cold starts. For instance, 5w represents resistance to external low temperatures of -30°C, while 20w resists low temperatures of -15°C. The number after w represents the kinematic viscosity of the oil at 100°C, with higher numbers indicating higher viscosity. The viscosity of lubricating oil is often labeled using SAE grades, where SAE stands for the "Society of Automotive Engineers" in English. Internationally, the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) viscosity grade and API (American Petroleum Institute) quality grade are widely adopted. When choosing oil, the following precautions should be noted: Multi-grade oils should be preferred as they are economical, long-lasting, and efficient, providing better protection for the engine. Due to the characteristics of multi-grade oils, they may appear darker prematurely and have lower oil pressure compared to conventional oils, which is normal. The choice of oil should be based on the engine's requirements. It is unnecessary to use overly advanced oil in engines with lower requirements, as this does not fully utilize the benefits of high-grade oil. Conversely, using lower-grade oil in engines with higher requirements may lead to increased wear of internal engine components.
