The lower the number, the better the oil flows in cold temperatures. Breaking Down the Composition Motor oil is a carefully formulated mixture of base oils and performance-enhancing additives.
What Is Motor Oil Engine Protection and How It Works
The oil carries this heat away to areas where it can be dissipated, preventing the engine from overheating. Oil needs to be thin enough to flow quickly on a cold start to provide immediate lubrication, but thick enough to maintain a film strength when the engine is hot and under stress.
Detergents keep the engine clean, and rust inhibitors protect against corrosion caused by moisture and acids. How Motor Oil Works Inside an Engine The primary role of motor oil is to create a thin film between moving metal components, such as the pistons and cylinder walls.
What Is Motor Oil Engine Protection and How It Works
The Role of Additives Additives are the secret sauce that tailors motor oil to specific engine requirements. The "W" stands for winter, and the number before it indicates the oil's cold-weather flow.
More About What is motor oil
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