Teach me about engine oil

[djt100]

So I've been on the opie oil thread and got the recommendations for oil but that returns several different oil viscosities .
So can some one in simple terms explain the differences to me.

0W-30 / 3W-40 / 10W-40 / 5W-40 / 0W-40 / 3W-30, ETC What's the difference

[djt100]

opieoilman said:

Hi

This should help


- Cold start -

- A 5w-40 will flow better than a 10w-40
- A 10w-50 will flow better than a 15w-50
- A 5w-40 is the same as a 5w-30

- At operating temperatures -

- A 10w-50 is thicker than a 10w-40.
- A 15w-50 is thicker than a 5w-40
- A 0w-40 is the same as a 10w-40

Multigrades offer flexibility but manufacturers recommended viscosities should be observed unless modifications have been made that affect engine temperatures or the car is being used off road.


Cheers

Tim

Thanks that helps a lot, so i'm thinking on that basis that 0w40 would be the best, the car used about a litre of oil in 7000miles. so not burning any as near as it counts, would that be correct ?

[djt100]

opieoilman said:

Hi

What car is it(make, model, year)?

Cheers

Tim

Mercedes CLK320 W209 2003. I got your recomendations from theopieoils thread but it returned so many different viscosities (as per the first post) I was confused hence this thread. just wanted to go with the best option