What is Motor Oil Viscosity? It Turns Out to Be Important for Car Performance
You must have heard the term viscosity of motor oil? However, do you understand the meaning of that term? If you do not understand it yet, then you need to pay attention to the following review.
What Is Motor Oil Viscosity?
Oil viscosity is a term used to assess the thickness level of oil based on numbers. As you know, when you buy motor oil, there are usually certain numbers or codes on the oil packaging. Each number or code listed on the motor oil packaging usually has its own meaning. Generally, the larger the number displayed, the higher the viscosity will be.
Therefore, car owners must pay attention to the viscosity of the oil used. Make sure the oil you use matches the specifications of your car's engine because each engine has different oil viscosity standards. Choosing oil that meets the engine standards can maintain engine temperature stability and prevent corrosion, thus extending the wear life of engine components.
Types of Motor Oil Viscosity
According to the type of thickness, oils sold in the market are divided into two as follows.
1. Fixed Viscosity
Oil that has a fixed viscosity type is oil whose thickness will not change even if the engine temperature or surrounding temperature starts to change. This type of oil is commonly known in the automotive world as single grade. You usually find this type of oil in car transmission oil.
2. Dynamic Viscosity
On the other hand, the dynamic viscosity type is better known as multigrade. This type of oil usually has different thicknesses when the engine temperature is high or low. This oil is usually used for car engines.
Motor Oil Viscosity Codes
When buying motor oil, you will find codes or numbers listed on the oil packaging. Each of these codes has its own meaning. The complete meanings are as follows.
1. SAE Code
The SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) code is a code created by an international association that regulates oil viscosity standards. This code is usually used to read oil viscosity. The SAE code is usually followed by letters and numbers such as SAE 5W-30 or SAE 10W-40.
When you buy motor oil with the SAE 10W-40 code, it means your oil has a viscosity level of 10 when in winter conditions and reaches a viscosity level of 40 in hot conditions.
2. API Code
The API (American Petroleum Institute) code is a code created by the oil viscosity association in America to determine oil quality. The API code is usually accompanied by a letter code behind it. For example, the code CH or SN.
The S code after API is usually used to indicate vehicles that use gasoline or petrol fuel. Meanwhile, the C code after API is usually used to indicate diesel engine vehicles. Furthermore, the letter code after the S or C letter is used to indicate oil quality. The closer the letter code is to the letter Z, the higher the quality will be.
The Impact of Oil Viscosity on Engine Performance
Choosing the right oil viscosity will have a significant impact on engine performance, making it more optimal. Use oil with a viscosity that is not too thin for older cars to avoid noisy sounds. And use oil with a thinner viscosity for newer cars so that the engine performance is not too heavy.
Read also: The Difference Between Synthetic and Mineral Oil in Cars, Which Is Better?
In addition to affecting engine performance, choosing the right oil viscosity can extend engine life and save fuel consumption. Let's use oil with the right viscosity level. If you do not understand it yet, you can take your car to an official Daihatsu workshop to get the oil that matches your car's engine standards.
