What Does The W Stand For In Oil?

WHAT DO VISCOSITY NUMBERS MEAN? – The viscosity of an oil is measured by its resistance to flow. There are two numbers that define viscosity meaning. The first number precedes the letter ‘W’ which stands for Winter. This measurement is related to how an oil flows when it is cold, such as at engine start-up.

1. The second number is defined by how an oil flows at normal engine operating temperatures.
2. The smaller the number, the better it will flow.
3. A 5W-30 will flow easier than a 10W-30 at start-up temperatures and a 10W-30 will flow more easily than a 10W-40 at normal engine operating temperatures.
4. Engine oil viscosity is important.

Engine oils naturally thicken as they cool and thin as they are heated. Thin, low viscosity oils give better protection to engine parts at cold temperature. Thick, high viscosity oils are typically better at maintaining film strength to protect engines at high temperatures.

Does W in oil stand for weight?

Short Answer: W stands for Winter – “W” stands for “winter.” When oil grades are hyphenated (i.e.10W-30), this indicates range of viscosity attainable with this particular oil, namely it behaves like 10 weight oil (less viscous) when it is cold or “winter” and thanks to viscosity modifiers (manufacturer added oil additives), it will behave like 30 weight oil (more viscous) when hot.

What does 5W-30 mean?

What does 5W-30 Mean? – Now that we have gone over the viscosity classes let’s get into the specifics. For example, if the oil is 5W-30, “5W” describes the oil’s viscosity at low temperatures. The lower the number, the faster the oil will flow at vehicle start-up.

The “30” represents the oil’s viscosity at normal engine temperatures or when your vehicle has been warmed up. An important thing to note – engine oils naturally thicken as they cool and thin as they are heated. The smaller the number, the better it will flow. For example, a 5W-30 will flow more readily than a 10W-30 at start-up temperatures.

A 10W-30 will flow more easily than a 10W-40 at standard engine operating temperatures. Oil with a low viscosity gives better protection to engines at cold temperatures. However, when oil has a high viscosity, it will better maintain film strength, which is the lubricant’s ability to lessen the effects of friction and control wear, protecting engines at high temperatures.

What does the W stand for in 10 W 30 oil?

The ‘W’ that you see on oil labels stands for the word ‘ Winter ‘ because this portion of the label shows the viscosity level of oil when an engine is cold. Motor oil that is thinner can flow more easily and faster. This is important because when you start a cold engine, the oil needs to lubricate the equipment quickly.

What does W stand for in w20?

In the example of a 0W-20, the ‘0W’ part of the grade is related to the measurement of viscosity at low temperatures as defined by SAE J300 (and the ‘W’ stands for Winter – relating it to low temperature performance).

What is W in 5W 40?

What does 5w40 actually mean? – The “W” stands for “winter,” the number preceding it indicates the oil’s viscosity (or thickness) at low temperatures (hence the W), and the number after it indicates viscosity at higher temperatures (150oC on average), when the engine is actually running.5w40 motor oil has a winter viscosity grade of five, meaning it’s less viscous at very low temperatures, compared to, say, 10w40.

Is 5W-30 thicker than 10w30?

4. Which Is Better: 5W30 Vs 10W30? – Both 10W-30 and 5W-30 multi grade oil options are excellent because there’s no best oil. It all depends on your car’s needs, where you live, and the climate or temperature there. So to determine the better engine oil option for you, it’s crucial to understand how 10W-30 and 5W-30 oils work in a colder climate or a hot one.5W-30 is ideal for any season and offers supreme protection in a cold temperature region.

Can I use 10w40 instead of 5W-30?

I put 10w40oil in my engine instead of 5w30 and need to know if it will be okay My car has an automatic transmission. Your vehicle does not use 5W-30 oil. The recommended oil viscosity for your vehicle, according to Kia documentation, is 10W-40. If you drive the vehicle in exceptionally cold weather, well below 32 degrees, you can use 5W-30 oil but even 10W-40 is still perfectly OK to use if outdoor temperatures are below freezing.

• If you desire that this maintenance be performed by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request an engine oil/filter change and the responding mechanic will get this resolved for you.
• If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic,

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Should I use 5W-30 or 5w40?

If you use your vehicle in urban conditions, often sit in traffic jams, drive at high speeds, and your car is old, buy oil with the 5w40 viscosity. But if you prefer calm driving, and fuel economy and eco-friendliness are important for you – choose a product with 5w30 marking.

Is 5W-30 or 40 better?

The differences between 5w30 and 5w40 oils – For 5w30 oil:

Kinematic viscosity is between 9.3-12.5mm²/s Dynamic viscosity is 2.9mPas.

For 5w40 oil:

Kinematic viscosity is between 12.5-16.3mm²/s Dynamic viscosity is 3.5mPas.

In practice, this means that each oil is just as viscous at lower temperatures and will remain viscous at -30°C, however 5w40 oil outperforms 5w30 oils at higher temperatures, being effective up to ambient temperatures of 50°C, as opposed to 30°C.5w40 and 5w30 motor oils have winter viscosity grades of five, meaning they are effective down to temperatures of -30°C, and are more viscous at very low temperatures, compared to, say, 10w40 oils.

• Resultantly, 5w40 oils are likely to be used in higher-performance engines that have higher operating temperatures and loads than the norm – those driven in urban environments, that commonly sit in traffic or driven at particularly high speeds, for example.
• If your vehicle is not designed to be driven in a high-performance manner, or you drive at a more considered, environmentally friendly pace, 5w30 oils are a good choice.

These are commonly better for certain engine components such as oil pumps, can clean the engine better, and have longer lifespans due to having a lower temperature range.

Is 5W-30 sicker than 10 w 30?

Conclusion: – According to API motor oil guide, If you are using 10W – 30, you can safely switch to 5W – 30 (in car engines).5W – 30 is thinner than 10W – 30 when cold. (you must follow the manufacturer’s recommendations). However, switching from 5W – 30 to economical 10W – 30 is not always recommended.

What happens if I put 10 W 30 in a 5W-30 engine?

Can I Use 10W30 Instead of 5W30? – So can you put 10w30 in a 5w30 engine? The 5W30 and 10W30 oils have different thicknesses in cold temperatures, with the 10W30 being thicker than the 5W30. Therefore, when in cold environments, the 5W30 is better for running vehicles as it is thinner.

• The first number (5 or 10) on these oils represents the viscosity of the oil, in other words, how easily the oil will pour at lower temperatures.
• Low numbers indicate lower viscosity, meaning that the oil is thinner.
• An oil with a lower viscosity will be able to get to the internal parts of the engine with more ease, therefore protecting the components quicker than an oil with a higher viscosity.

Both oils include the second number 30, which specifies the thickness of the oil once it reaches operating temperature. So in fact, the only real difference between the two is the initial thickness of the oil as it’s poured into a cold engine. A 10W30 oil tends to move slower than a 5W30 oil during cold startup.

As anticipated, it is quite recommendable to choose 5w30 if you live in a cold region or it gets really cold around your area in winter. Using 10w30 in such situations could result in really hard conditions when starting up the engine and could even cause unwanted damage to the vehicle’s engine. But, 5w30 would work fine even in quite cold conditions as it would be easier to flow at a lower temperature.

A high viscosity will adhere to mechanical components better when subjected to high pressure and stress and will resist higher temperatures before it thins out beyond its operational viscosity. So the answer to the question, can you put 10w30 in a 5w30 engine, is that you can yes, as they’re not too different from one another.

1. However, it’s not just about getting the oil that has the most viscosity, or as people say, thickness.
2. The requirements are different for each kind of vehicle, and not every vehicle needs the same weight of oil to operate normally when compared to the other.
3. It is always best to use the weight of oil recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer to provide your engine with the best protection and maximum fuel economy.

Most car manufacturers will probably state that you can use either 5W30 or 10W30 oil for your vehicle. You will find this information in the owner’s manual, or if you can find this, contact the manufacturer directly!

Can I mix 5W-30 with 10 W 30?

Yes, you can mix them. They will mix perfectly. In warm climates, they will act very similarly. Both are the same viscosity at operating temperatures.

What W stands for?

W/ Meaning: Shorthand & Slang Usage, History & More

• “W/” is an abbreviation for “with.” It appears over text, on social media, in handwritten notes, or even in casual communications at work like Slack messages.
• A “W” without a slash can mean either “with” or “win.” If it means “win,” you’ll probably see it by itself or in the context of a celebratory message.
• Use “W/” in texts, notes, tweets, recipes—you name it! Steer clear of it in formal or important professional writing, though, and just write out “with.”

1. “W/” is shorthand for “with” online or on paper. Even though “with” is already a short word, “W/” is still faster to write by hand and uses fewer characters when it’s typed out. It can be capitalized or lowercase (“w/”), and can appear without a slash (“w”) or with a period instead (“w.”). “W/” shows up in informal writing like text messages, social media, handwritten notes or instructions, recipes, apartment listings, or even casual Slack messages and emails at work.
   • “For rent: Renovated 1-bed apartment w/ great view of downtown”
   • “Chop 1 potato w/ skin on”
   • “Let’s ride w David since he’s leaving earlier.”
   • “I’m on my way to the store w. Karen”

Advertisement

1. “W” (without a slash) can mean “win” or “winning” over text or online. If you see a plain “W” by itself or as part of a celebratory sentence in a text or on an app like TikTok or Twitter, chances are the user means “win” or “winning.” This meaning comes up almost exclusively online (although you might hear someone say something like “We got the ‘dub!” out loud, where “‘dub” is a shortening of “double-u”). Similarly, you might see “L” as shorthand for “loss” or “losing.”
   • “I got a promotion today! 🎉 Can I get a W in the group chat!?”
   • “Cubs get the W!”
   • Person A: “I got my driver’s license!” Person B: “W!”

1. 1 Type or write “W/” in place of “with” in informal communications. Use “W/” any time you’d use “with” in a sentence (it’s that flexible!). Type it when you’re posting on social media, texting, writing quick notes during class or a meeting, or leaving instructions for your dog sitter. Only abbreviate “with” in casual messages, though—it’s best to avoid it in formal or professional writing and use the full word “with.”
   • “Let’s go on a walk w/ Richard today!”
   • “Give my puppy her vitamin w/ dinner when you watch her”
2. 2 Use “W/O” to mean “without.” Add an “O” after the slash in “W/” to form the abbreviation for “without” and use “w/o” the same way you’d use “w/.” Throw it in casual texts or messages, tweets or other social media posts, notes, instructions, or any other scenario where you need to save some space or characters.
   • “Are you ordering food? Get me a hotdog w/o ketchup please!”
   • “Hurry up or we’re leaving w/o you!”
3. 3 Throw a “W” in the chat to celebrate a win over text or online. Reply to someone’s text with “W” or leave a “W” comment on a tweet or TikTok video to congratulate others. Post “W” by itself to use it as an exclamation (“Winning!”) or use it as part of a full sentence (“The Bears take the W!”). Try using some emojis to keep things fun and celebratory!
   • “Nice job at your track meet today. Congrats on your W!”
   • Them: “Here’s a pic of my outfit for the awards show!” You: “W!”

Advertisement

1. “W/” probably came from handwritten fast food orders in the 1950s. As speed became more important for restaurant workers, servers began using shorthand to take orders by hand. “W/” and “W/O” were quick and easy to understand ways to say “with” and “without” when customers wanted to customize their meals by adding or taking off ingredients. Handwritten orders might say something like:
   • “1 burger w/o cheese”
   • “Cobb salad w/ extra dressing”

Ask a Question Advertisement

⧼thumbs_response⧽

Advertisement This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer,, Dan Hickey is a Writer and Humorist based in Chicago, Illinois. He has published pieces on a variety of online satire sites and has been a member of the wikiHow team since 2022. A former teaching artist at a community music school, Dan enjoys helping people learn new skills they never thought they could master.

• Co-authors: 4
• Updated: April 22, 2023
• Views: 32,841

Categories:

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 32,841 times. : W/ Meaning: Shorthand & Slang Usage, History & More

What does 15w40 W mean?

What does 15W-40 mean? 15W-40 viscosity grade means it flows like a 15 weight oil from start up in Winter, but provides the protection of a 40 weight once the engine reaches full operating temperature.

What is the oil W number?

What Do Oil Viscosity Numbers Mean? – Viscosity is the resistance to flow of a fluid. Motor oil viscosity grades are based on a scale developed by the API (American Petroleum Institute) lubricant organization. The values are defined in a specification known as API 1509 and are based on the resistance the oil gives to flowing at two different temperatures – cold and high temperature.

The measurement of viscosity at high and low temperatures are properties of multi-grade oils. Years ago, most vehicles used one viscosity grade oil in the summer and a different viscosity grade oil in the winter. But as motor oil technology advanced, additives such as viscosity index improvers allowed for the use of the same grade of oil year-round.

The low temperature viscosity of the oil is a measurement that simulates starting a car on a cold winter day. That value has the letter “W” after the number and has a dash after the W. For example, if the oil is a 5W-30, the 5W part describes the viscosity of the oil at low temperatures.

The lower the number, the faster the oil will flow at vehicle start up. The high temperature viscosity is the number after the dash and is related to the viscosity of the oil as it is moving around your engine after the car has warmed up and is at normal engine temperature. In the 5W-30 example, the 30 defines the viscosity of the oil at normal engine temperatures.

Again, the lower the number, the lower the viscosity of the oil and the faster the oil will move around the engine. As an example, let’s compare 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30 motor oils. A 5W-20 and 5W-30 will have very similar if not equal viscosity at lower start-up temperatures.

1. But as the engine heats up, the 5W-20 will move with less resistance than an 5W-30.
2. Less resistance results in improved fuel economy but the oil is not as thick and forms a smaller layer of protection between metal surfaces.
3. If we compare a 5W-30 and a 10W-30, they will behave very similarly as the engine heats up, but at start-up, the 5W-30 will provide less resistance and start easier than the 10W-30.

The 5W-20 will have a lower viscosity and provide less resistance than the 10W-30 at both start-up and normal engine operating temperatures. In the past, it was common for vehicles to require higher viscosity oils such as 20W-50’s, 10W-40’s and 10W-30’s.

But as engine technology has advanced over the years, the size of engines and pathways in engine that oil flows through have gotten smaller and thinner. This has led over time to motor oil viscosity decreasing – currently 5W-30 and 5W-20 are the most popular grade and 0W-20 is the fastest growing grade.

These lower viscosity motor oils are needed to move through the thin engine pathways to protect and clean metal surfaces. Lower viscosity motor oils also result in better fuel economy.

Is 5W 40 European?

Designed for the unique demands of gasoline, diesel and hybrid European vehicles. European formula features precise blend of synthetic base oils and premium additives. Exceptional engine protection without harming emissions systems.

Why do European cars use 5W 40 oil?

Due to these longer oil change intervals, European vehicles require a motor oil that is able to protect against wear, sludge, and corrosion for a longer period of time, such as Amsoil European Car Formula 5W-40 Classic ESP Synthetic Motor Oil.

Can I mix 5W-30 and 5W40?

Yes, you can mix them. They will mix perfectly. In warm climates, they will act very similarly. Both are the same viscosity at operating temperatures.

Is 5W or 10W better for winter?

The W Means Winter – Motor oil is measured by its viscosity —basically how thick or thin it is. The higher the viscosity, the slower it flows. All motor oils are given a ratings grade by the Society for Automotive Engineers. An example is 5W30—the “W” stands for winter and the oil’s cold weather rating.

Is it OK to use 5w20 instead of 5W-30?

Can I Use 5W-30 Instead Of 5W-20? – For a deep dive on what happens if you use the wrong viscosity of oil, check out this post, Here’s the rundown for our purposes here: In a pinch, while it’s generally OK to use an oil that’s one viscosity rating higher or lower than what the manufacturer recommends, it’s best to use the viscosity given in the owner’s manual.

When considering 5W-20 vs 5W-30, they are the same viscosity when the engine is cold. The 5W-20, however, will remain a little thinner once you reach operating temperature to help improve fuel economy and flow fast enough to fill the tight tolerances in the engine. Using 5W-30 instead can reduce fuel economy and impede flow throughout the engine.

While using it temporarily in a pinch likely won’t cause your engine lasting harm, remember that the engineers who built your engine did so with a specific viscosity oil in mind, meaning it’s best to stick with it. Some automakers do recommend different viscosities of oil depending on weather conditions,

In these cases, we recommend switching to a lighter-viscosity oil in cold weather to improve cold starts and start-up protection. To summarize, when looking at 5W-20 vs 5W-30, their viscosities when cold will be the same, but the 5W-30 will be a little thicker at operating temperatures. When it comes to 5W-20 or 5W-30 vs 10W-30, the opposite is true: the 5W oils will flow a little better in the cold than a 10W oil for maximum cold-weather protection and easier cold starts.

*Indicates a required field.

Is 10w40 good for winter?

1. Low Temperature Viscosity – The first number represents the oil’s viscosity at a low temperature. Low temperatures are typically considered anything under 0 o C (32 o F). Both 10W-30 and 10W-40 oils have a “10W” rating — an SAE grade for winter use (thus the ‘W’ appended onto it).

Does W mean weight?

For starters, in oil nomenclature, ‘W’ does not stand for ‘Weight’. It stands for ‘Winter’ and that is the key to understanding viscosity grades. A 10W-30 is a multi-grade (two viscosities) motor oil, and as the name implies, it meets more than one grade.

What does the W in 10W-30 stand for weight?

Oil is one of the primary ingredients for any operating machine or engine. You may have seen labels such as 10W-30 and wondered what the mysterious “W” might stand for in connection with oil labeling. Because a majority of lubricant manufacturers use such form of labeling, you are not alone in asking this question.

There are a number of other curious users out there who want to know the answer to this question. Read on to find out what it actually stands for and why it is an important element of oil labeling. • What Does the ‘W’ in Oil Grades stands for? Interestingly, there are two versions of answers to this question: long and short.

Labeling consists of a range with an upper limit and lower limit. The ‘W’ here stands for winter. In the label 10W-30, 10W indicates that the oil shows lesser viscosity resembling SAE 10 oil when its temperature is low in winter. On the other hand, 30 indicate the viscosity of the oil when its temperature is high and sometimes it is called oil weight,

Each lubricant company uses this form of labeling to enable it’s buyers to find out the viscosity characteristic or behavior of its oil. As far as the category of oils is concerned, two forms of grading are widely accepted in the industry at the present time: single-grade oil and multi-grade oil. SAE, the acronym for Society of Automotive Engineers, is the association which is responsible for the viscosity designation of rules for oil grading.

• Single-grade oils Single-grade oil refers to the kind of oil which does not operate at a wide range of temperatures summer and in winter. That is to say, this type of lubricants does not adjust to temperature variations. In a majority of cases, single-grade oil is used for a wide range of industrial purposes.

SAE 50 CH4 is an example of a single grade diesel engine oil. • Multi-grade oils Multi-grade oil, as the name suggests, refers to oil that can operate at various temperatures. This type of oil is mainly used in the automotive industry and in a few industrial applications like in gear oils. SAE 15W-40 CH4 is an example of a multi-grade grade diesel engine oil,

• Why is it that multi-grade oils are exclusively used in motor engines and not for industrial purposes? The answer is simple. In most industrial tasks, the temperature variation is not necessary. This is because industrial appliances generally operate at a constant or fixed temperature.

1. Even as there is a variation of temperature, it is negligible in terms of its effect on the oil.
2. However, it is a different thing altogether when it comes to using oil for the engines of automobiles.
3. Multi-grade oil is made to adjust to the temperature fluctuations automatically.
4. In other words, its viscosity decreases when the weather is cold and vice-versa.

Viscosity Index Improvers (VIIs) – a special type of additives – help multi-grade oils to make an adjustment with varying temperatures. This is necessary to keep a vehicle up and running. In the event the vehicle oil fails to attain viscosity in line with the atmospheric temperature, it comes to a grinding halt.

Is 15W heavier than 5W?

5W is thinner than 15W when cold.

What does 40 W in oil mean?

WHAT DOES 10W-40 MEAN? – This short video will tell you all you need to know about 10W – 40 engine oil.10W – 40 is used to describe the oil’s thickness. “W” stands for winter. The number before the “W” signifies the viscosity of an oil at low temperatures – for example before you start your engine.