The lubrication in an engine is an aspect that must be cared for. One option is the multigrade oil. Do you know what it is and how it differs from the monograde?

Primary care is the engine of the car, so if you want the engine to work well, you need to change the oil in good time. But there are many things that are woven in relation to oils, in particular, the multigrade oil.

This automotive lubricant was created around 1950, and was made to work in regions where cold temperature variation – heat was very drastic.

Currently, the multigrade oil has been gradually shifting to monograde oil . However, these lubricants are still used in competitive engines and industrial equipment.

With “V” of viscosity

What is the difference of an oil multigrade with monograde pair? The keyword is the viscosity. The low viscosity of multigrade oils provides better engine protection from wear, especially at start-up.

The viscosity or density of the oil film depends on the temperature. This means that a low temperature oil should have a denser viscosity, to provide greater protection. While in full operation (at high temperatures) this thickness will decrease so that it flows more quickly throughout the engine.

The unknown of the W

The most frequent question about multigrade oils must be ‘what does the W mean?’ Well, that means consonant winter, and that as said before, this lubricant was created to work at very low temperatures. That’s the reason for that letter.

A common mistake with multigrade oils is how they read. For example, you have 20W 40 type oil. Some are likely to assume that 20W refers to the degree for low temperatures and 40 for high temperatures. This deduction is undeniable, but there are great differences with the actual explanation.

Actually, 20W indicates the ease with which the oil pump can ‘run by the engine oil’ at low temperatures. If the number accompanying the ‘W’ is lower, its viscosity will be better at startup.

The second term of the oil nomenclature, i.e. ’40’, indicates the actual viscosity of the oil when the engine is running. Once the car starts and the engine temperature reaches 100 ° C, the viscosity of the oil will work as a grade SAE40. This terminology describes the density at which the oil protects the engine.