When your engine is running, your vehicle is constantly pumping oil through it to lubricate its metal components. If these components do not receive the proper lubrication they require, they will become worn down and eventually fail to function properly. Not only that, the engine itself will become overheated from all the heat generated by the moving components that are rubbing together. However, you cannot just put any kind of oil in your vehicle. It needs to have the proper weight and thickness to be able to sustain certain operating temperatures of the vehicle.
Two common types of oils found in vehicles are either 10w30 or 10w40. These are multi-grade oils because they have numbers in front of and after the “W.” If it were just a single grade oil, it would be something like 0W30. The 10w30 and 10w40 grades refer to the thickness level of the oil. The first number is called the viscosity number. This is the measurement of how thick and sticky the oil is at lower temperatures. Once you know this, you will know how easy it will be for the oil to flow in the engine during the winter or in any cold temperature environment.
The “W” in these grades stand for winter. If you have a 10w, then it is thicker than an oil that is 5w. If you are driving a vehicle in hotter temperatures, like during the summertime, then it will be better to have a 10w oil in your engine. The reason is that the thicker oil like this will thin out under hotter temperatures. This means that it will still be able to flow faster and allow your engine to perform well. However, if it were the wintertime with cold temperatures outside, the 10W oil might cause the flow of oil in the engine to slow down. But, if you consider the second number after the “W,” then you might be okay.
10w30 Oil
The second number after the “W” refers to the oil’s ability to flow under hot conditions. This could be heat generated from the engine itself and/or from the temperature outside. The higher the second number is, the more heat resistant it will allow the engine to be. Most people will use 10w30 in the wintertime because this is when it does the best job of reducing temperatures inside the engine.
10w40 Oil
The number “40” after the “W” means it can withstand hotter temperatures than the 10w30 oil. For instance, if your engine tends to overheat or have intense operating conditions, then you might find it better to use 10w40 because it will flow more easily and do a better job of protecting your engine’s components. It does this by sticking to these components so that they can stay protected from the friction caused by them rubbing together.
Read also: Top 5 Best Throttle Body Cleaner
Conclusion
In conclusion, the only things that make 10w40 and 10w30 different from each other are their operating temperatures and thickness levels. Since their first viscosity number are both 10, their flow will be relatively the same under cold temperatures. The big difference comes when operating under hotter temperatures. The w30 is standard, but you might find a smoother engine operation with w40 if the temperatures outside are too extreme.
However, you also need to consider the temperature of the engine itself as it is running. Some engines run at lower temperatures while other engines run at higher temperatures. If your engine runs at a lower temperature, then you might want to consider the 10w30. Of course, the easiest way to know the right oil to use is to look in your owner’s manual. Your manufacturer will recommend the right oil to use based on the operating temperatures of your engine.
But if you happen to move to a new location with a different climate, then the owner’s recommendation won’t factor this in. You will need to alter the oil type yourself based on the temperatures outside.
The post The Difference between 10w30 and 10w40 Car Engine Oil appeared first on CarTreatments.com.