What Impact Does Oil Viscosity Have on the Engine?

[SilasRose]

The primary function of engine oil is to reduce friction within the engine. For engines with higher torque and rotational speeds, higher viscosity oil can facilitate optimal engine performance. However, for engines with lower rotational speeds and torque, high-viscosity oil can become a burden. Instead of reducing friction, it may increase frictional resistance, leading to insufficient engine power. Below is a brief introduction to engine oil: 1. Based on the base oil, engine oil can be broadly categorized into two types: mineral oil and synthetic oil (vegetable oil is not considered due to its scarcity). Synthetic oil is further divided into full synthetic and semi-synthetic. 2. Synthetic oil has a wider temperature range, longer service life, and higher cost. For the same oil film requirements, synthetic oil can achieve the desired effect with lower viscosity, whereas mineral oil requires higher viscosity compared to synthetic oil to meet the same standards. 3. Under the same working conditions, synthetic oil, due to its significantly longer service life than mineral oil, is more expensive. However, when considering the frequency of oil changes, the cost difference between synthetic and mineral oil is not substantial.