Why do different engines use different oil?
The reason for this is that engines often need a different viscosity based on operating conditions. Knowing how scientists see viscosity will help an owner determine the best oil for the engine. Viscosity, at its most basic, is a fluid’s resistance to flow.
Can you mix different viscosities of motor oil?
Answer: Mixing two different motor oil weights to make your own custom viscosity does not work quite as simply as it sounds. Again, different chemistry can be used to “build up” the viscosity of an engine oil, so mixing two from different viscosity ranges is not likely going to deliver the result that you desire.
Do you have to use the same oil every time?
No. Switching brands is not harmful to your engine as long as you choose an oil marked with the API donut of the same level, e.g., API SN. Motor oil manufacturers must meet minimum industry standards for performance and compatibility of the API mark.
Is mixing 2 different oils bad?
In its mildest form, mixing different lubricants may lead to a degradation of lubricant performance. Mixing the same API grades of synthetic passenger car motor oil and mineral oil-based engine oil won’t damage the engine, but you will lose the performance features you expect from the synthetic.
What happens if you mix two different weights of oil?
Can oils of different grades be mixed? The good news is that mixing different types of oil it will not harm your engine in any way in the short run. Most synthetic and semi-synthetic engine oils are based on regular oil and are compatible.
Is the viscosity of motor oil the same?
Industrial machinery often operates in a climate controlled environment, thus there is no reason to use multi-grade oils (in fact, it may be harmful). HOWEVER, both AW-68 hydraulic oil and 5w-20 motor oil have right about the same viscosity at operating temperature.
Why is viscosity important in a diesel engine?
Viscosity of fuel oil plays an important role in the quality of combustion inside a diesel engine. It is imperative to keep the viscosity of fuel oil in the right range in order to get the right kind of engine efficiency. Learn how viscosity regulators are used to achieve this.
What happens if you use the wrong oil viscosity?
What Happens If You Use the Wrong Oil Viscosity? Depending on whether the viscosity of your oil is too high or too low, you might experience several problems, such as poor fuel economy, increased wear on your engine, and increased chemical breakdown.
Which is more important viscosity of oil or light oil?
The decrease of the viscosity of a lubricating oil stock with rising temperature is relatively much more significant for a heavy oil than for light oil.
How does the viscosity of motor oil affect the flow?
The thicker (higher viscosity) of an oil, the slower it will flow. You will see oil viscosity measurement in lube articles stated in kinematic (kv) and absolute (cSt) terms. The higher the Viscosity Index number the less thinning and thickening the motor oil has.
What’s the difference between single and multi viscosity oil?
A multi-graded oil is labeled with only the lowest W graded satisfied. The SAE classification for multi-viscosity oil consists of two viscosity grades, such as viscosity SAE 10W-30. The first part of the grade (10W) is the comparable grade of the single viscosity oil that features the oil’s weight at cold temperature.
Is the viscosity of motor oil the same as SAE 20?
Technically speaking these oils will be close to the same viscosity even though one is an SAE 20 and the other an SAE 30. But you have to draw the line somewhere and that’s how the SAE system is designed. Another system takes more accurate numbers into account known as cSt abbreviated for centistokes.
What do the viscosity numbers on an oil can mean?
What Do Oil Viscosity Numbers Mean Numbers you find on different oil cans, such as SAE 30 or SAE 10W-30, are viscosity or weight numbers that indicate the thickness of the oil. The higher the number, the thicker is the oil. As earlier mentioned, SAE stands for Society of Automotive Engineers.