5W-30
Common engine viscosity
5W-30 is a motor oil viscosity grade.
The W stands for winter—the 5W indicates how the oil flows in cold temperatures, while 30 describes its thickness at operating temperature.
Lower winter numbers mean easier cold starts; the second number indicates protection at high heat. 5W-30 is among the most common grades for passenger vehicles: Check your owner's manual, but most cars take 5W-30.
Petroleum for machinery
- engine oilLiquid reducing friction internally
- oil changeReplacing engine lubricant
- dipstickFluid level indicator
- oil filterRemoves contaminants from lubricant
crankcase · lubrication · quart · drain plug · oil pan · gasket · synthetic blend · conventional
Produced artificially, not natural
- conventionalFollowing accepted practices
- full syntheticEntirely man-made composition
- synthetic blendCombined artificial materials
- additivesSubstances included for enhancement
detergents · dispersants · anti-wear · antioxidants · Castrol · Pennzoil · Quaker State
Variable viscosity lubricant
- SAEVehicle engineering standards body
- weightMeasure of heaviness
- thicknessDepth of material
- flowUnbroken forward movement
cold start · operating temperature · grade · fluidity · consistency · thin · thick · kinematic
Vehicle efficiency rating
- cold weatherFrigid atmospheric conditions
- startupNew business enterprise
- high temperatureElevated thermal measurement
- turboExhaust-powered compressor
motor oil
Petroleum for machinery
- engine oilLiquid reducing friction internally
- oil changeReplacing engine lubricant
- dipstickFluid level indicator
oil filter · crankcase · lubrication · quart · drain plug · oil pan · gasket · synthetic blend · conventional · high mileage
synthetic
Produced artificially, not natural
- conventionalFollowing accepted practices
- full syntheticEntirely man-made composition
- synthetic blendCombined artificial materials
additives · detergents · dispersants · anti-wear · antioxidants · Castrol · Pennzoil · Quaker State
multigrade
Variable viscosity lubricant
flow · cold start · operating temperature · grade · fluidity · consistency · thin · thick · kinematic
fuel economy
Vehicle efficiency rating
- cold weatherFrigid atmospheric conditions
- startupNew business enterprise
- high temperatureElevated thermal measurement
turbo · stop-start · longevity
- lubricantslubricant, lubricants, lubrication, grease, motor oil
- motor oilmotor oil, synthetic oil, full synthetic, synthetic blend, high mileage oil
- oil changedrain plug, dipstick, oil filter, oil pan, synthetic oil