Petition to stop using the term "weight"
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Originally Posted By: tom slick
The "W" means winter, not weight.
Bingo.
It's a source of confusion. A "W" immediately after a number indicates a winter rating; "weight" refers to viscosity grade. "20W" indicates a winter rating of 20W, not a 20-weight oil.
20W-40 = SAE 40 ("40-weight") oil with a 20W winter rating.
20-weight = SAE 20 oil.
The fact that so many people here don't get the difference between a winter rating and a weight tells me that something has to give. We already have better words for "weight," so why not use them and save everyone the confusion?
The "W" means winter, not weight.
Bingo.
It's a source of confusion. A "W" immediately after a number indicates a winter rating; "weight" refers to viscosity grade. "20W" indicates a winter rating of 20W, not a 20-weight oil.
20W-40 = SAE 40 ("40-weight") oil with a 20W winter rating.
20-weight = SAE 20 oil.
The fact that so many people here don't get the difference between a winter rating and a weight tells me that something has to give. We already have better words for "weight," so why not use them and save everyone the confusion?
Hermann
Site Donor 2023
Does a qt of SAE30 weigh more than a qt of SAE20? Notice I didnt say the W word.
Yes, totally agree, we should switch all of the term "weight" to "mass" in our daily conversations and textbooks.
Originally Posted By: rshunter
Originally Posted By: Rix
Don't care.
LOL
I bet "Mush-mouth" would care...
ROFL!
ZING!!
I often use straight 30 weight oil in the road car.
AND the race car.
AND the truck.
LOL.
If you flush your engine with royal purple, is it then a royal (engine) flush?
Originally Posted By: Rix
Don't care.
LOL
I bet "Mush-mouth" would care...
ROFL!
ZING!!
I often use straight 30 weight oil in the road car.
AND the race car.
AND the truck.
LOL.
If you flush your engine with royal purple, is it then a royal (engine) flush?
Originally Posted By: PandaBear
Yes, totally agree, we should switch all of the term "weight" to "mass" in our daily conversations and textbooks.
That's what I thought this thread was about when I saw the title.
Yes, totally agree, we should switch all of the term "weight" to "mass" in our daily conversations and textbooks.
That's what I thought this thread was about when I saw the title.
The xW-Y thing is one of the reasons for so much of the confusion on multi-vis oils in the first place.
I overheard a Catrol sales rep at work explaining that the oil behaved as a 20W in Winter, and thickens to a 50 "when you need it" in summer.
Ended up arguing t=with him for half an hour, when it suddenly dawned on my colleague that I was right, and it is always thinner...Castrol rep still walked out saying that he was right.
I'd like to see something like a 3 number classification (like)..Pour Point - Cst @ 100C - HTHS.
Maybe even a single cold parameter and the HTHS.
I overheard a Catrol sales rep at work explaining that the oil behaved as a 20W in Winter, and thickens to a 50 "when you need it" in summer.
Ended up arguing t=with him for half an hour, when it suddenly dawned on my colleague that I was right, and it is always thinner...Castrol rep still walked out saying that he was right.
I'd like to see something like a 3 number classification (like)..Pour Point - Cst @ 100C - HTHS.
Maybe even a single cold parameter and the HTHS.
Every so often, I pull out the 1932 Veedol lubrication chart that hangs on the wall of the garage...check what I should be using based on the season...and then go down to AAP and look for "Medium Cylinder Oil"...
Let's go back to that!
Let's go back to that!
Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Originally Posted By: otis24
What will you call it, "density"?
When referring to a specific grade, use the grade itself (e.g. SAE 20, SAE 30, 5w-20, 10w-40, etc.).
When asking an open-ended question, use "viscosity grade" (e.g. "what viscosity grade is best?").
Exactly. 5 grade or 5G rolls off the tongue a little easier as well IMHO!
Originally Posted By: otis24
What will you call it, "density"?
When referring to a specific grade, use the grade itself (e.g. SAE 20, SAE 30, 5w-20, 10w-40, etc.).
When asking an open-ended question, use "viscosity grade" (e.g. "what viscosity grade is best?").
Exactly. 5 grade or 5G rolls off the tongue a little easier as well IMHO!
JHZR2
Staff member
I guess. But then again, can you absolutely confirm or deny the trend of molecular weight vs viscosity? It may be indicative enough that it is NBD.
I concur though.
I concur though.
Originally Posted By: PandaBear
Yes, totally agree, we should switch all of the term "weight" to "mass" in our daily conversations and textbooks.
I second that that, even though I believe you are being cynical. We should indeed "mass" things. Even Isaac Asimov proposed adding the verb "to mass" to the English lexicon.
What you said earlier about stopping to call all brands of tissues Kleenex is of course a poor comparison. After all, all tissues, whatever the brand, are still tissues. On the other hand, the words "viscosity" and "winter" have nothing in common other than a couple letters.
Yes, totally agree, we should switch all of the term "weight" to "mass" in our daily conversations and textbooks.
I second that that, even though I believe you are being cynical. We should indeed "mass" things. Even Isaac Asimov proposed adding the verb "to mass" to the English lexicon.
What you said earlier about stopping to call all brands of tissues Kleenex is of course a poor comparison. After all, all tissues, whatever the brand, are still tissues. On the other hand, the words "viscosity" and "winter" have nothing in common other than a couple letters.
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I guess. But then again, can you absolutely confirm or deny the trend of molecular weight vs viscosity? It may be indicative enough that it is NBD.
I concur though.
Molecular mass? Just leave those poor moles out of it.
I guess. But then again, can you absolutely confirm or deny the trend of molecular weight vs viscosity? It may be indicative enough that it is NBD.
I concur though.
Molecular mass? Just leave those poor moles out of it.
Sounds like a good idea. It reminds me of shop class in the 70's. People would refer to engines which ran on fuel, as motors. The shop teacher would inform them that motors run on electric, not fuel. If someone in my shop class refered to what was under the hood in their gasoline powered car as a motor, it got them an "F" in shop class. LOL, some things you never forget!
Originally Posted By: greenaccord02
Originally Posted By: Jakegday
Originally Posted By: Rix
Don't care.
LOL
i second that
Motion seconded. Move to dismiss.
I'm going to start using it more. I just like how it sounds.
I like it when you say dumb things.
Originally Posted By: Jakegday
Originally Posted By: Rix
Don't care.
LOL
i second that
Motion seconded. Move to dismiss.
I'm going to start using it more. I just like how it sounds.
I like it when you say dumb things.
Well it does sound like a good idea, I'm afraid it's impractical.
Every newbee would have to be corrected when they use the term 'weight'.
Could be embarrassing and off putting.
Every newbee would have to be corrected when they use the term 'weight'.
Could be embarrassing and off putting.
Originally Posted By: dwendt44
Well it does sound like a good idea, I'm afraid it's impractical.
Every newbee would have to be corrected when they use the term 'weight'.
Could be embarrassing and off putting.
Is BITOG an educational site or not? According to the front page, "it's about educating."
Quote:
Unlike most private motor oil web sites, Bob Is The Oil Guy is not about selling you something. It's about educating you so you can make informed decisions about the life blood of your engine: motor oil.
Also, shouldn't the experts point the newbies in the right direction?
Quote:
And we have well-respected tribologists, chemists, and oil analysis professionals who regularly participate and contribute their knowledge and expertise.
Well it does sound like a good idea, I'm afraid it's impractical.
Every newbee would have to be corrected when they use the term 'weight'.
Could be embarrassing and off putting.
Is BITOG an educational site or not? According to the front page, "it's about educating."
Quote:
Unlike most private motor oil web sites, Bob Is The Oil Guy is not about selling you something. It's about educating you so you can make informed decisions about the life blood of your engine: motor oil.
Also, shouldn't the experts point the newbies in the right direction?
Quote:
And we have well-respected tribologists, chemists, and oil analysis professionals who regularly participate and contribute their knowledge and expertise.
So pass the 4-minute-W-18-minute motor honey; the 95 second stuff is just for gas mileage.
We just need an oil that stays the same viscosity regardless of temperature.
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