What does SN5W-30 engine oil mean?
1 Answers
SN5W30 engine oil, where SN represents the oil grade. The letter following S indicates the oil grade, with letters further down the alphabet denoting higher grades. 5W refers to the oil's winter usage. 30 represents the kinematic viscosity coefficient of the oil at 100 degrees Celsius; the higher this number, the greater the kinematic viscosity. Choosing the oil grade: It's not necessarily true that a higher grade is better. It's best to use the oil grade specified by the engine. Precautions when adding oil: When adding different grades of oil, it's essential to completely drain the old oil first, as the chemical compositions differ. Mixing them can easily lead to oil deterioration.