What Does the W Stand For in 5W-30 Motor Oil?

The viscosity of a fluid is the measure of its internal molecular friction resisting flow. The “W” in 5W-30 motor oil stands for “winter” and indicates the oil meets or exceeds certain criteria for good low-temperature performance. Motor oil with SAE viscosity grade 5W-30 behaves like an SAE 30 oil at high temperatures and SAE 5W oil at low temperatures, providing the necessary fluidity for rapid starts and efficient engine operation at low temperatures.

Without the introduction of additives, as the temperature rises oil viscosity thins. As the temperature drops the oil viscosity thickens. With the introduction of additives, oil can be rated for one viscosity when it’s cold and another when it’s hot. A thicker oil viscosity at higher temperatures usually continues to provide lubrication protection to moving parts. A thinner oil viscosity at lower temperatures flows easier and requires less energy at start up.

For 5W-30, the “5” tells you how the oil will perform at colder temperatures. A “5W” protects and performs better at lower temperatures than a “10W”. The “30” tells you how the oil viscosity will be at higher temperatures. The second number “30” will stay thicker and protect better at higher temperatures than a “20”.

Interested in learning more? Visit this page of our website to make sure you're putting the right oil in your car. It makes a difference what oil you choose.

It's That Time of Year

One of our employees shared this photo from last night's major snow dump here in the Northland. According to one news item we heard this week, Florida was the only state in the Continental United States that did not see snow this month.

One difference between the Northern tier states and the rest of us is that Northlanders are equipped to deal with it. Snow shovels are suitable for in town perhaps but once you are set back from the road a pace the essential piece of equipment is a snow blower.

Whether you have an Ariens, Toro, Craftsman or some other brand, the one thing they all have in common is that they all share a pair of common maintenance needs. First, like all two-stroke and four-stroke engines, they need lubrication. When was the last time you changed your oil? This is just a reminder that if you have not read your user's manual in a couple years (or since you bought the thing) it may be a good move to check it out.

Just so you know, we don't just make racing oils or passenger car oils. We make oils for nearly everything with moving parts, and that includes you snow blower.

But lubrication isn't your only need. Due to changes in fuel formulation, you will need to address a potentially serious issue with regard to the gasoline you use. You know how it is. You have gas sitting on hand for your snow blower in winter and lawn mowers in summer. You may not be aware that if moisture is introduce into the container as it sits in the garage, phase separation will occur. This can be bad for your equipment.

The solution her is a product called Quickshot. If you're not concerned about phase separation you will still want to make sure you are using a gasoline stabilizer since gasoline is not formulated for long term storage and will oxidize in a relatively short period of time if it sits idle.

When springtime comes, there's still another product AMSOIL recommends as you put your winter equipment -- whether snow blowers or snowmobiles -- into storage. That's AMSOIL Engine Fogging Oil. It's a really great product as it protects internal parts during the off season while your equipment sits in storage. According to the write of this blog entry, his push lawn mower never started so easily in the spring after an idle winter.

Alas, winters make us a heartier breed. But their much easier to deal with when our machines are running properly.

It's That Time of Year Again

For some the first hints of autumn are a somber prospect because what follows is winter's frosty chill. On the other hand, the leaves come so alive that it's as colorful as the blossoms in spring, a symbolic spectacle of color that announces the coming of many people's favorite season: snowmobiling.

Here at AMSOIL we begin celebrating winter's upcoming arrival in early September during the Sno Barons' Haydays Festival in North Branch, MN. As October approaches we're flush with anticipation of numerous other events as we wait for the snow to fly. 

One of these is the AMSOIL Engine Masters Challenge at the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) October 7-11. Each year 40 engine builder teams, plus alternates, gather in Lima, Ohio to competes for the official title of Engine Master. It's a prestigious competition that not only garners respect for the winners, but a a quite substantial payout for the top team, as well as bragging rights.

It's also a tremendous experience for the students of UNOH who work side by side with many of the world's top engine builders, assisting in nearly every facet of the setups and teardowns on the dyno. Special thanks to UNOH for the continued support that makes this competition the success that it has been these many years.

The AMSOIL Engine Masters Challenge is not only a great experience for the students and faculty of UNOH, it's also a superb real world opportunity for the editors and publishers of Popular Hot Rodding magazine to learn more about the capabilities of modern engines by observing the creative engineering by these top professional builders. AMSOIL is on hand, and we're paying attention, too.

Looking forward to another great event....

 

Students assist pro builders to get hooked up in the dyno.

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