What does the engine oil grade 0w20 mean?
2 Answers
The engine oil grade 0w20 means the freezing point temperature of the oil is -35°C, and its kinematic viscosity at 100°C is 20. In 0w20, the 'W' stands for WINTER, indicating winter use. The number before 'W' represents the freezing point temperature: 0W is -35°C, 5W is -30°C, 10W is -25°C, and 15W is -20°C. The number after 'W' represents the oil's kinematic viscosity at 100°C, with higher numbers indicating higher viscosity. Below are some considerations when selecting engine oil: 1. Choose engine oil based on the engine's requirements. It's unnecessary to use overly advanced oil in engines with lower requirements, nor should you use lower-grade oil in engines with higher requirements. 2. Try to choose multi-grade oil. Multi-grade oil is economical, has a long lifespan, and is highly efficient, providing better protection for the engine. Due to the characteristics of multi-grade oil, it may appear darker prematurely and have lower oil pressure compared to conventional oil, which is normal.
As a seasoned driver with ten years of experience, I always pay attention to oil specifications when changing oil. The 0W20 oil grade, simply put, tells you how the oil performs under different temperature conditions. The 0W part refers to its low-temperature fluidity in winter—the smaller the number, the better. A 0 means it can flow smoothly even below -40°C, providing quick engine protection during cold starts. The 20 part indicates its high-temperature viscosity—a smaller number means lower viscosity at high temperatures, reducing engine friction and improving fuel efficiency. My Toyota Corolla uses it, as recommended in the manual, and it indeed offers quiet starts and low fuel consumption. If you arbitrarily switch to a higher-viscosity oil, like 15W40, it might clog oil passages or increase fuel consumption. In short, always follow your car’s manual for oil selection—it helps extend engine life.
