Several questions about oil.

[zepherman]

Ok, i have some questions about oil and the people i have talked to recently dont have a clue what thier talking about so i was hoping that someone here could give me some answers.

What do the numbers mean as in 10w-30? I know the 10w means that it is a 10 whight oil, but how exactly does that compare to other oil weights like 20w-50.

What does it mean when there is only one number.

How do you pick the right oil for your car?

What oil is best for performance engines.

Thanks, and i hope that this will answer questions that others might have too.

[SlowGT]

Here's some sites that should help you out. Just copy and paste them in the address bar if they don't showup as clickable links.



http://www.motoroilbible.com/index.html



http://api-ec.api.org/about/index.cf...02003002000000


http://www.performanceoiltechnology....ubrication.htm



http://www.vtr.org/maintain/oil-overview.html



http://www.howstuffworks.com/question164.htm



http://api-ep.api.org/filelibrary/ACF28.pdf

[LX5liter]

The W after the first # is the "winter" weight, which is the viscosity of the oil in colder temps (there is a certain temperature they use as a benchmark, but I forget what it is). The second # is the "hot " weight, which is what the viscosity is at higher temps. Viscosity simply means "resistance to flow" and the higher the #, the thicker the oil. Two #'s together (10w-40) means a multi-grade oil. A single# (50w) is a straight grade oil which means its viscosity does not change when hot.

[egiap's 5.0]

Visit www.lubedealer.com/midohio and from there you can go to Amsoil's web site. You can find out everything you want to know. Take a look at preferred customer program and buy at wholesale prices. Series 2000 0W-30 oil is reommened for all cars requiring 5W-30 or 10W-30 motor oil. Good luck.