What Does the Engine Oil Model Number Represent?
1 Answers
Engine oil model numbers represent the following: An oil that starts with 'S' indicates it is for gasoline engines, while an oil that starts with 'C' indicates it is for diesel engines. If both 'S' and 'C' are present, it means the oil is suitable for both gasoline and diesel engines. The viscosity of engine oil is often indicated using the SAE grade. For example, in SAE5W40, the number before 'W' indicates the oil's low-temperature fluidity—the smaller the number, the better the fluidity at low temperatures, meaning it can be used in colder environments. 5W means the oil can be used at temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius. The number after 'W' indicates the oil's high-temperature performance—the higher the number, the better the oil's protective performance at high temperatures. 40 indicates that the oil's kinematic viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius is between 12.5 and 16.3.