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So, what does viscosity mean? And all of my cars guys shoot up their hands but for the rest of us and even for the car guys we are not just talking about the chemical make-up of car oil but relating how the different blends apply to different seasons and types of cars, or more specifically to types of engines. If you have a high revving engine built for performance then the oil thickness and make-up will be different than for a car, like a Pinto or Honda, and even different based on climate or season. Oil for cars in Alaska in the wintertime will basically be a viscosity quite different than if you live in Death Valley. Using the same oil for both places will get you and your car in trouble.

And to add to the mix we also have synthetic oils which is basically man-made oil in which all cars do not do well with this type of oil which I learned the hard way.

Ok so let’s break down five of the oil viscosities so that I can then move from this analogy to what this message is about.

Oil viscosity measures a lubricant's resistance to flow. In multigrade motor oils, the first number (ending in "W" for Winter) indicates the cold-temperature flow, and the second number represents the high-temperature thickness.

Five common motor oil viscosities and their typical uses include:

• 0W-20: An ultra-thin, low-viscosity oil primarily used in modern, fuel-efficient, and hybrid engines to reduce friction and improve gas mileage.
• 0W-30: A low-viscosity formula optimized for colder climates, allowing for quick engine flow during winter starts while providing excellent protection at higher temperatures.
• 5W-20: A common, slightly thicker oil widely used in many smaller, modern passenger cars to balance fuel efficiency with engine component protection.
• 5W-30: One of the most versatile and commonly used oils, frequently recommended for a wide range of standard passenger vehicles across various climate conditions.
• 10W-40: A thicker, higher-viscosity oil historically favored for warmer climates, older vehicles, and higher-load conditions, providing a stronger lubricating film at high operating temperatures.

So we can see that your engine or car has a specific type of oil recommended based on the year, make and model along with if the engine has been modified or not. And well if you have modified your engine then you would automatically know what type of oil to run to give it the maximum protection.

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