# Oil... how does it work? \[split\]

**URL:** https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-how-does-it-work-split/262189
**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:** 1
**Showing post:** 88

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### Author: ![TurboTravis](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/turbotravis/32/6406_2.png) [@TurboTravis](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TurboTravis)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2012, 8:27am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/oil-how-does-it-work-split/262189/88 "2012-01-09T08:27:51Z")

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> [@Bought another play toy..](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bought-another-play-toy/47775/5):
>
> 5w20 definitely poured like glue when I topped of the GFs Ranger in 0\* weather in Plattsburg a few weeks ago. 5w30 almost ran like water when I drained it from my Grand Am after 20 minutes of driving and a coolant temp of 190_f. Oil was hot! probably 210_ or better.
> 
> Maybe I don’t understand the argument…

Since it poured like glue in Platts, he thinks it should have a higher number than 5W. He cannot comprehend that 5W20 is a multigrade oil that acts like an SAE 5 in cold temps, and an SAE 20 in hot temps.

He thinks that no matter what, an SAE 5 should always be thinner than an SAE 20, when the truth is, is that an SAE 5 in cold temps is thicker than an SAE 20 in hot temps.

(cold=around freezing or below, hot=around boiling)

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