# Oil... how does it work? \[split\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Shift518 Off Topic\ **Created:** [January 6, 2012, 11:40pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-how-does-it-work-split/262189 "2012-01-06T23:40:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![bennyfizzle](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bennyfizzle/32/6291_2.png) [@bennyfizzle](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/bennyfizzle)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 4:30am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-how-does-it-work-split/262189/121 "2012-01-10T04:30:39Z")
> [@fred fest](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fred-fest/28427/15): > > If it’s not the same scale, where is the rule that’s written that a thick fluid at low temp should be rated lower than a thin fluid at a high temp. > > Otherwise you’re just making shit up by saying it’s not the same scale, because it is just ONE SCALE. HOLY FUCK YOU ARE DUMB. Travis explained this on the first page, go back and read it. ---
**Author:** ![Wayne64SS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/wayne64ss/32/6365_2.png) [@Wayne64SS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Wayne64SS)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 5:03am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-how-does-it-work-split/262189/122 "2012-01-10T05:03:16Z")
> [@Stimulus Payment Schedule - check yours](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/stimulus-payment-schedule-check-yours/46338/194): > > HOLY FUCK YOU ARE DUMB. > > Travis explained this on the first page, go back and read it. THANK YOU. ---
**Author:** ![jdaniels](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jdaniels/32/6399_2.png) [@jdaniels](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/jdaniels)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 7:43am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-how-does-it-work-split/262189/123 "2012-01-10T07:43:06Z")
Vlad, I like you… but did you eat paintchips as a kid (or currently)? > [@Blackstone Labs](#): > > **Straight Weight vs. Multi-Grade** > Engine oil can be either a straight weight or a multi-grade viscosity. Originally, all oil was straight weight. Relatively few straight weights are manufactured today since most gas- or diesel-engine manufacturers recommend multi-grades. At operating temperature, a straight weight performs just as well as a multi-viscosity oil, and there is nothing wrong with using a straight weight. It’s just a simpler form of oil. Some diesel fleets still use straight weights, as do about half the piston aircraft operators. > > **The difference between multi-grade and straight-weight oil is simply the addition of a viscosity improving (VI) additive. The most common grade of automotive oil in use today is the 5W/30, which is a mineral oil refined with VI additives that leave it reading as an _SAE 5W viscosity when cold, yet an SAE 30W when hot (210F)_. The advantage to the multi-weight is that when starting the engine, the multi-viscosity oil (_with its thickness of an SAE 5W when cold_), allows the engine to spin over more easily.** > > The most common diesel use oil is 15W/40. It is an SAE 15W oil with a VI additive that leaves it the thickness of an SAE 40 weight at operating temperature. What makes an oil a diesel-use oil (rather than automotive-use) is the level of additives used. Diesels require heavier levels of dispersant and anti-wear additives. These heavier additive levels are objectionable for automotive engines since they may interfere with the emission controls mandated by the EPA. ---
**Author:** ![Vovchandr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/vovchandr/32/6275_2.png) [@Vovchandr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Vovchandr)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 7:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-how-does-it-work-split/262189/124 "2012-01-10T07:50:20Z")
I understand that. But it allows to spin more easily then what 0w or 10w when it’s 5w? How do you not see the inconsistency. ---
**Author:** ![bennyfizzle](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bennyfizzle/32/6291_2.png) [@bennyfizzle](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/bennyfizzle)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 7:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-how-does-it-work-split/262189/125 "2012-01-10T07:52:34Z")
omg lol an SAE0W would ‘spin more easily’ than an SAE5W under the same exact conditions. naturally. ---
**Author:** ![Wayne64SS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/wayne64ss/32/6365_2.png) [@Wayne64SS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Wayne64SS)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 7:57am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-how-does-it-work-split/262189/126 "2012-01-10T07:57:18Z")
:rofl :rofl :rofl this is awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Vovchandr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/vovchandr/32/6275_2.png) [@Vovchandr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Vovchandr)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 8:10am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-how-does-it-work-split/262189/127 "2012-01-10T08:10:53Z")
> [@Stimulus Payment Schedule - check yours](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/stimulus-payment-schedule-check-yours/46338/149): > > It is a unit of measurement, yes, so we’ll put it this way. > > I’ll try to relate the units in feet and inches: > > 20W50 > > 20 feet @ 32F, 50 inches @ 212F. > > It’s not the same unit of measurement between the two, of course the SAE rating will be lower in viscosity when hot on the same scale, but it’s NOT. This is why the 2nd number is HIGHER even though the oil is THINNER at that temperature vs. the first number. Interesting you say they are not the same scale. Maybe you can explain to me why 20 has the same cSt viscosity as 20w then. If you guys can’t grasp that cold, thick oil should have high SAE numbers assigned but instead has low numbers, I can’t help you. ---
**Author:** ![jdaniels](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jdaniels/32/6399_2.png) [@jdaniels](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/jdaniels)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 8:13am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-how-does-it-work-split/262189/128 "2012-01-10T08:13:05Z")
> [@FS:riding lawn mower](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fs-riding-lawn-mower/47779/9): > > I understand that. > > But it allows to spin more easily then what 0w or 10w when it’s 5w? > > How do you not see the inconsistency. It’s all relative. It allows it to spin more easily than a standard, non multi-grade oil of a given viscosity rating AT THOSE EXACT TEMPS. Again: 5 @ cold = 5W30 @ cold I just don’t get where you see an inconsistency. The first number is what the VI additive allows it to flow like when cold. It only affects the cold temp rating. All it’s saying is WHEN I’M COLD, I SPIN EASIER THAN I WOULD WITHOUT AN ADDITIVE. This DOES NOT mean that the oil is THINNER @ 32\* – just that it’s thinner than it would be without the additive @ 32\*. ---
**Author:** ![Vovchandr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/vovchandr/32/6275_2.png) [@Vovchandr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Vovchandr)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 8:16am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-how-does-it-work-split/262189/129 "2012-01-10T08:16:53Z")
> [@5th gear: GTI rapes WRX](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/5th-gear-gti-rapes-wrx/45208/133): > > It’s all relative. It allows it to spin more easily than a standard, non multi-grade oil of a given viscosity rating AT THOSE EXACT TEMPS. > > Again: > > 5 @ cold = 5W30 @ cold > > I just don’t get where you see an inconsistency. The first number is what the VI additive allows it to flow like when cold. It only affects the cold temp rating. All it’s saying is WHEN I’M COLD, I SPIN EASIER THAN I WOULD WITHOUT AN ADDITIVE. This DOES NOT mean that the oil is THINNER @ 32\* – just that it’s thinner than it would be without the additive @ 32\*. But overall the spinning will be harder then when it’s warm. I understand what 5w30 means I explained it in one of the first posts, I have a problem with the fact that cold has an assignment of 5 instead of lets say 50 making it 50w30. If an oil spun easier while cold it would make it 45w30. If it spun harder when cold, 55w30. It would be consistent between both numbers. If SAE says the higher the number the thicker, why is the thick cold oil rated lower then when it’s warm? ---
**Author:** ![jdaniels](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jdaniels/32/6399_2.png) [@jdaniels](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/jdaniels)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 8:16am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-how-does-it-work-split/262189/130 "2012-01-10T08:16:56Z")
> [@wow, a second good story from the news](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/wow-a-second-good-story-from-the-news/47798/5): > > If you guys can’t grasp that cold, thick oil should have high SAE numbers assigned but instead has low numbers, I can’t help you. The SAE ratings are done at a fixed temperature. The oil being cold is irrelevant to the rating itself. It’s just a number, I don’t know what else to tell you. ---
**Author:** ![Vovchandr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/vovchandr/32/6275_2.png) [@Vovchandr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Vovchandr)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 8:18am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-how-does-it-work-split/262189/131 "2012-01-10T08:18:23Z")
> [@jdaniels"](#): > > The SAE ratings are done at a fixed temperature. The oil being cold is irrelevant to the rating itself. It’s just a number, I don’t know what else to tell you. The ratings are done at two fixed temperatures when it’s a multigrade. If it only has 1 number, it means it was only tested at 210 and never tested at 32. ---
**Author:** ![jdaniels](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jdaniels/32/6399_2.png) [@jdaniels](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/jdaniels)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 8:22am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-how-does-it-work-split/262189/132 "2012-01-10T08:22:57Z")
> [@wow, a second good story from the news](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/wow-a-second-good-story-from-the-news/47798/6): > > The ratings are done at two fixed temperatures when it’s a multigrade. > > If it only has 1 number, it means it was only tested at 210 and never tested at 32. The number itself is derived from the high temperature test, that’s what you’re missing. The numbers are all relative to the high temperature rating of a standard fixed weight oil. ---
**Author:** ![Vovchandr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/vovchandr/32/6275_2.png) [@Vovchandr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Vovchandr)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 8:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-how-does-it-work-split/262189/133 "2012-01-10T08:32:15Z")
> [@\--- GRAND THEFT AUTO IV --- Thread!!!](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/grand-theft-auto-iv-thread/47618/437): > > The number itself is derived from the high temperature test, that’s what you’re missing. The numbers are all relative to the high temperature rating of a standard fixed weight oil. I understand that. Where is the miscommunication? Again, I’ll bring the honey and see if I follow your logic. Honey at 210 degrees is thin so let’s give it a 50. Honey at room temp behaves like molasses so if there was a rating for a room temp it would be act like a 70. You get it cold and it becomes even thicker. ---
**Author:** ![ninety1two40](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ninety1two40/32/6332_2.png) [@ninety1two40](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ninety1two40)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 8:35am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-how-does-it-work-split/262189/134 "2012-01-10T08:35:32Z")
You guys are throwing numbers all over, what is the actual measurement unit for these viscosity numbers? ---
**Author:** ![Wayne64SS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/wayne64ss/32/6365_2.png) [@Wayne64SS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Wayne64SS)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 8:37am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-how-does-it-work-split/262189/135 "2012-01-10T08:37:22Z")
Ask Vlad, he’s grasping this REALLY well. :rofl :rofl ---
**Author:** ![Vovchandr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/vovchandr/32/6275_2.png) [@Vovchandr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Vovchandr)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 8:37am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-how-does-it-work-split/262189/136 "2012-01-10T08:37:35Z")
> [@FS: Computer parts: Used and New (HDD, Processors....etc)](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fs-computer-parts-used-and-new-hdd-processors-etc/47716/9): > > You guys are throwing numbers all over, what is the actual measurement unit for these viscosity numbers? Multiple, SAE and cSt are the common ones used and talked about here. The picture above I posted will show both. ---
**Author:** ![jdaniels](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jdaniels/32/6399_2.png) [@jdaniels](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/jdaniels)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 8:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-how-does-it-work-split/262189/137 "2012-01-10T08:41:14Z")
> [@networking question... 360 related](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/networking-question-360-related/47729/22): > > I understand that. Where is the miscommunication? > > Again, I’ll bring the honey and see if I follow your logic. > > Honey at 210 degrees is thin so let’s give it a 50. > > Honey at room temp behaves like molasses so if there was a rating for a room temp it would be act like a 70. > > You get it cold and it becomes even thicker. I know what you’re saying. If we are talking actual viscosity measurements of the oil as you are – it’s obviously far different. They are just numbers assigned to an oil that tests like that at a given temp. > [@FS: Computer parts: Used and New (HDD, Processors....etc)](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fs-computer-parts-used-and-new-hdd-processors-etc/47716/9): > > You guys are throwing numbers all over, what is the actual measurement unit for these viscosity numbers? That’s exactly the issue. SAE ratings are just a number assigned to an oil that measures X viscosity @ 212\* - it’s a fixed number that does not change. It’s a label. ---
**Author:** ![Vovchandr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/vovchandr/32/6275_2.png) [@Vovchandr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Vovchandr)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 8:56am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-how-does-it-work-split/262189/138 "2012-01-10T08:56:17Z")
Let’s see if re-arranging the chart above using cSt and SAE will help any. ![http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q26/vovchandr/viscosity-2.jpg](http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q26/vovchandr/viscosity-2.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![bennyfizzle](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bennyfizzle/32/6291_2.png) [@bennyfizzle](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/bennyfizzle)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 9:03am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-how-does-it-work-split/262189/139 "2012-01-10T09:03:39Z")
mother of god ---
**Author:** ![Murrdog9000](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/murrdog9000/32/6391_2.png) [@Murrdog9000](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Murrdog9000)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 9:08am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-how-does-it-work-split/262189/140 "2012-01-10T09:08:25Z")
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