This isn't the case at all, since there are other variables that affect the VI of the oil. An oil that has a high VI because of a heavy dose of polymer VI improvers will be thicker at lower and higher temps than an equivalent Xw grade (with the same or lower VI) where the VI is achieved with a higher VI base oil blend and less VI improver. For oils where the finished VI is achieved primarily with the VI of the base oil blend and with equivalent Xw grades, the one with the higher VI will be thicker at lower temps.quote:
Originally posted by nicrfe1370:
Amsoil 10W-40 has a VI of 183, 10W-30 has a VI of 167, so all else being equal, the 10W-40 will be thinner at low temps and thicker at high temps (particularly the high temps since it's a different grade).
But it is true. The 10w-40's kinematic viscosity is less at that temp and it's CCV is also less.quote:
Originally posted by Ferrari:
According to that calculator, the Amsoil 10W-40 is THINNER than the 10W-30 at -30*C. I don't believe that.
Any thoughts?
Of course they do if they affect the viscosity. Polymer VI improvers make a base oil thicker at ALL temps, not just high temps.quote:
Originally posted by Jay:
G-Man II, The VI is calculated from kinematic viscosity so the type of VI improvers, etc. don't come into play.
Not quite. The viscosity of the Mobil 1 0w40 at -35*C is how it can be classified as a 0wXX oil.quote:
Originally posted by nicrfe1370:
I'm less sure about the VI being the sole determinant of how an oil will react at a given temperature.
Here's an interesting tid bit that I found when I was exploring the possibility of using Mobil 1 0W-40. It has almost the identical viscosity as Amsoil 10W-40 at 40C, 100C, and has an almost identical VI. the Mobil's VI is slightly "better" (186 vs. 183) so this must explain how it can be classified a 0W while Amsoil is a 10W.
The main purpose of VII's is to thicken the oil at higher temperatures where the oil would normally thin out.quote:
Of course they do if they affect the viscosity. Polymer VI improvers make a base oil thicker at ALL temps, not just high temps.
MK, my point was that because polymer VI improvers are themselves a very high viscosity additive (from what I've read) the addition of them to the base oil will increase its viscosity at any given temp over the viscosity of the neat base oil. Is that not correct?quote:
Originally posted by MolaKule:
At about -10 F and below, the VII has little effect on overall viscosity.