I'm still learning......

[Zero]

I'm still reading and learning, learning and reading, but there is one thing I'm still unsure about; What does the "W" mean on the oil bottle?

What is the difference between a 5W-XX oil and a 5-XX oil?

And I assume the 0, 5, 10, 20 or 15 preceding the "W" and/or the grade of oil represents the start-up viscosity of the oil, correct?

I've read the Motor Oil University section of the site, but I just can't wrap my mind around the above issues.

 

[exranger06]

The W stands for winter. 5W-XX is the same thing as 5-XX; some people are just too lazy to type the "W."

 

[Zero]

Originally Posted By: exranger06
The W stands for winter. 5W-XX is the same thing as 5-XX; some people are just too lazy to type the "W."


Are you sure?

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/motor-oil-107/

 

[exranger06]

Originally Posted By: Zero
Originally Posted By: exranger06
The W stands for winter. 5W-XX is the same thing as 5-XX; some people are just too lazy to type the "W."


Are you sure?

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/motor-oil-107/

That page tells you what the number before the W means. W still stands for winter. Valvoline even says so here: http://www.valvoline.com/car-care/motor-oil-myths/

 

[Zero]

Originally Posted By: exranger06
Originally Posted By: Zero
Originally Posted By: exranger06
The W stands for winter. 5W-XX is the same thing as 5-XX; some people are just too lazy to type the "W."


Are you sure?

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/motor-oil-107/

That page tells you what the number before the W means. W still stands for winter. Valvoline even says so here: http://www.valvoline.com/car-care/motor-oil-myths/


OK, thanks for the replies/clarification.

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: exranger06
The W stands for winter. 5W-XX is the same thing as 5-XX; some people are just too lazy to type the "W."

Exactly.

There are some really heavy oils like 40-70 (just in OZ) that omit the "W" for obvious reasons although some mistakenly still include it.

 

[Jeffs2006EvoIX]

Dont feel bad for asking questions that is why everyone comes to this site. I can tell you this, the oil stuff here blows my mind sometimes. OMG it can get complicated. haha.

Jeff