How to Determine the Good Viscosity Level of Motor Oil? Here's How to Find Out

Knowing the right viscosity level of motor oil is very useful for you when buying motor oil. As is known, choosing the right motor oil can reduce friction between engine components, thus extending the lifespan of the engine components. In addition, fuel consumption will be economical, and it cleans the grime produced during the engine combustion process. So what is the right viscosity level? For more details, please pay attention to the following review.

Good Oil Viscosity Levels and How to Determine Them

To determine the right oil viscosity level, you need to know how to choose the right oil first. Here are the complete steps.

1. Understanding Engine Characteristics

Before you determine the viscosity of motor oil, you need to know the characteristics of your car's engine. Because each engine certainly has different types of oil.

2. Understanding Oil Viscosity Standards

The next step is to know the oil viscosity standards. There are several viscosity standards for oil available in the market that you need to know. Here are the viscosity standards.

Monograde Viscosity (Single)

When you buy engine oil, you must have seen codes like SAE 40. This code indicates oil that has a single viscosity level. This oil has minimal viscosity (viscosity change) against changing engine temperatures.

Multigrade Viscosity

Motor oil with multigrade viscosity standards can be used in all engine temperature conditions. This oil can maintain oil viscosity when the engine is running, thus protecting engine components well (minimizing wear on engine components due to friction between components).

Oil Viscosity Codes

In addition to knowing the viscosity standards based on oil viscosity levels, you also need to understand the viscosity codes based on the institution that tests them.

1. API Code

The API code (American Petroleum Institute) is a standard oil code given by the American petroleum institute. The API code usually has an additional two letters at the end, for example, API CN, and API SH.

The letter C is used as an oil code for diesel fuel vehicles. While the letter S is used as an oil code for gasoline fuel vehicles. The meaning of the letters after C and S indicates the latest type of oil.

2. SAE Code

The SAE code (Society of Automotive Engineers) is also a standard oil code that comes from America. However, this institution does not only standardize oil viscosity. They also test manufacturing fields to engineering design fields.

Each SAE code circulating, such as SAE 10 W to SAE 20W-50, has different meanings. The smaller the number on the SAE code, the thinner the viscosity. The letter “W” itself stands for winter.

For example, the SAE code 20W-50 means the oil has a viscosity level of 20 in winter. While the number 50 means a viscosity level of 50 when the temperature reaches 100 degrees Celsius.

From the above review, it can be concluded that the right oil viscosity for cars is based on the car specifications. If the car you are using is an older model or from before 2000, then use oil with a high viscosity level or SAE 20W-50. Meanwhile, for cars from 2015 to 2023, use oil with a lower viscosity level or thinner.

For more accuracy, you can consult a professional mechanic at Daihatsu official workshop when changing the oil. Make sure you always change the engine oil after the car has traveled 10,000 kilometers.

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