Motor Oil Weight, The Key to Engine Performance
From gasoline to diesel, AMSOIL offers precise viscosities engineered to maximize power, efficiency, and protection.
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Choosing the correct viscosity is like finding the perfect fit — it’s the secret to better performance, protection, and longevity for your engine.
In the world of motor oils, motor oil weight, or viscosity as it is known in the industry, is how motor oils are differentiated. Specific engines require specific viscosities, and here at AMSOIL, we produce a range of motor oil weights to ensure that your gasoline or diesel engine can be well lubricated and perform as designed. Just like buying a lightbulb, the specific measurement is important, and finding the right oil for your make or model will make a world of difference in raw power produced, efficiency and protection against wear and tear for your engine.
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What Is Motor Oil Weight?
Motor oil weight, or viscosity rating, was developed by the American Petroleum Institute to differentiate between motor oils based on their resistance the oil gives to flow at high and low temperatures. Years ago, engines would use one viscosity in the summer and a different one in the winter, but as we have developed engines over the years, the preference for a single lubricant used year-round has grown.
Today, the standard is to find the right balance of low and high temperature oil to protect your engine and allow for easier cold starts in climates like Toledo, Ohio. To understand what the actual numbers mean, let's use an example of 10W-40 oil. The 10W rating describes the viscosity of the oil at low temperatures, with lower numbers indicating faster oil flow during cold starts. While the 40 in 10W-40 refers to the viscosity of the oil at normal engine temperatures.
Why Does Motor Oil Weight Matter?
For most modern engines, oil weight is essential to ensure that the engine can operate as designed. This is especially true with high-performance engines that require a specific motor oil weight to operate. Failure to use the correct engine oil viscosity can lead to issues and cause breakdowns. If you are not sure what viscosity your engine takes, you can check your owner’s manual, the oil cap or chat with your Independent AMSOIL Dealer here in Northwest Ohio.
AMSOIL Motor Oil Weights
Tailored viscosities to keep every engine running at peak performance.
0W-16 Oil
0W-16 is one of the most effective synthetic oils on the market. It is normally used in Toyota and Honda models and is an ultra-lightweight oil that is great for quick starts with its 0W rating and is highly efficient with its 16 rating.
0W-20 Oil
0W-20 is a more common synthetic diesel or gas motor oil that performs well on cold starts and is relatively efficient in terms of the overall use of the engine. You will typically see modern makes and models from Japan, South Korea, Europe, and some North American brands using this efficient oil.
0W-30 Oil
0W-30 oil is another standard motor oil that we see here in Toledo, Ohio. It is generally considered an efficient motor oil, but it does have a higher viscosity at high temperatures compared to the 20 or 16. Many modern vehicles can take 0W-30, and its cold start ability is quite good.
0W-40 Oil
0W-40 is another decently common engine oil, particularly for vehicles operating in cold climates like Northwest Ohio or those with high-performance engines. Due to its rapid lubrication and thick protection, you will often see 0W-40 in higher-end models here in Northwest Ohio or throughout the Midwest.
5W-20 Oil
One of the most common engine oils for modern vehicles, 5W-20 oil balances cold-start protection and fuel efficiency to provide an excellent general oil for diesel and gasoline engines. We see 5W-20 in various Mazda, Ford, and Acura models.
5W-30 Oil
Another extremely common oil viscosity is the 5W-30 oil, which we see on many General Motors, Ford and Nissan vehicles. This oil has decent efficiency and a low cold start temperature that helps a lot in northern climates like Canada and the northern United States.
5W-40 Oil
If you have a turbocharger or have specific OEM approvals, you are most likely using 5W-40 oil. The thicker oil film allows these high-performance engines to operate without sacrificing power. OEM approvals like the VW 502.00, BMW LL-01, Porsche A40 and Mercedes-Benz 229.5 all take 5W-40.
5W-50 Oil
Specialty vehicles or collector cars often use 5W-50 for its high-temperature performance, which is needed with the powerful engines. Specific Ford models, including the Shelby GT500, Ford GT and Focus RS, along with the 2023 Corvette Z06, take 5W-50 as these high-performance engines need the protection in their high-temperature operating environment.
10W-30 Oil
10W-30 oil is typically used in older vehicles or in modern vehicles operating in higher temperature regions, such as Arizona or Florida. Vehicles made in the United States between 1951 and 1996 typically used 10W-30, as it was the industry standard for many years until engines became more complex and fuel-efficient.
10W-40 Oil
10W-40 motor oil is found in a lot of medium and heavy-duty gasoline and diesel engines as it balances high-temperature protection with a decent cold start viscosity. It is also the standard motorcycle engine oil as it can prevent clutch slippage and lubricate the engine, clutch and transmission.
15W-40 Oil
With its higher cold start temperature, 15W-40 oil is commonly found in heavy-duty diesel engines that are found in trucks, agricultural machinery and construction equipment. Mack, Ford, Cummins and Caterpillar all commonly recommend 15W-40 for their engines due to its ability to handle heavy loads and high temperatures.
15W-50 Oil
15W-50 is generally reserved for high-performance engines that are dealing with extreme engine stress or motorcycles with high-revving engines. With its ability to handle high temperatures, some diesel engines will also recommend 15W-50, especially in light trucks in mixed-fleet operations.
20W-50 Oil
A classic oil, the 20W-50 is generally found in classic cars, high-mileage engines and motorcycles, specifically Harley-Davidsons. With its extremely thick viscosity, some racing vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles operating in the deep south may also opt for 20W-50 to help with wear protection.
SAE 30 Oil
SAE is a different viscosity measurement created by the Society of Automotive Engineers and is principally used in 4-stroke engines that are found in lawnmowers, generators and some older vehicles. Unlike other synthetic oils that we produce, SAE 30 oil is a single-weight oil and does not change viscosity with temperature the same way that our other multi-grade oils do.
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