10W-30
Engine viscosity grade
10W-30 is a common grade of motor oil.
The numbers indicate viscosity—how thick the oil is.
The W stands for winter: 10W means the oil flows well in cold temperatures.
The 30 indicates viscosity at operating temperature.
Multi-grade oils like 10W-30 work across a range of conditions, unlike single-grade oils that perform well only in narrow temperature bands.
Check your owner's manual—most cars take 10W-30 or 5W-30.
Petroleum for machinery
- engine oilLiquid reducing friction internally
- crankcaseEngine's lower enclosure
- oil changeReplacing engine lubricant
- dipstickFluid level indicator
oil filter · quart · drain plug · oil pan · gasket · synthetic blend · conventional · high mileage
Amateur home projects
- oil changeReplacing engine lubricant
- serviceAid or maintenance
- top offFill to capacity
- leakEscape through a breach
consumption · sludge · deposits · additive · detergent · dispersant · anti-wear · maintenance schedule
British petroleum brand
- PennzoilMotor oil manufacturer
- Quaker StatePenn's woods, nicknamed
- STPDefined laboratory conditions
- genericNot brand-name
Variable viscosity lubricant
Usable any time
- ambient temperatureHeat of surroundings
- operating temperatureThermal limits for function
- heat resistanceTolerance to high temperatures
- seasonalRecurring at fixed intervals
motor oil
Petroleum for machinery
- engine oilLiquid reducing friction internally
- crankcaseEngine's lower enclosure
- oil changeReplacing engine lubricant
dipstick · oil filter · quart · drain plug · oil pan · gasket · synthetic blend · conventional · high mileage · lubrication
DIY
Amateur home projects
- oil changeReplacing engine lubricant
- serviceAid or maintenance
- top offFill to capacity
leak · consumption · sludge · deposits · additive · detergent · dispersant · anti-wear · maintenance schedule
Castrol
British petroleum brand
- PennzoilMotor oil manufacturer
- Quaker StatePenn's woods, nicknamed
- STPDefined laboratory conditions
multigrade
Variable viscosity lubricant
all-season
Usable any time
- ambient temperatureHeat of surroundings
- operating temperatureThermal limits for function
- heat resistanceTolerance to high temperatures
- motor oilmotor oil, synthetic oil, full synthetic, synthetic blend, high mileage oil