Unveiling The Secrets: What's In The Fuel That Powers Your Car?

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has created a standard rating system to categorize the different grades of motor oil. The SAE grade of an oil includes two numbers and a letter. For example, 10W-30: The first number, 10, ends with the letter W, which stands for Winter and refers to how the oil will flow when it is cold. The second number, 30, refers to how the oil will flow at higher temperatures.

Viscosity - how thick the oil is and how it flows

Viscosity is a measure of a fluid's thickness and resistance to flow. For example, water is thinner, with a much lower viscosity than honey. Motor oil is no different.

The SAE grade of an oil includes two numbers and a letter. For example, 10W-30. The first number, 10, ends with the letter W. That stands for Winter and refers to how the oil will flow when it is cold, such as when the engine is first getting started. The second number, 30, refers to how the oil will flow at higher temperatures, such as when the engine is at normal operating temperature.

Thicker, high viscosity oils (higher numbers) are typically better at protecting engines at warmer temperatures. Premium Conventional Oil is the standard new-car oil. All leading brands have these oils, which are available in several viscosities and tested under the latest API service level. Automakers usually specify a 5W-20 or 5W-30 oil for colder temperatures, with a 10W-30 oil as optional for higher ambient temperatures.

Synthetic Blend Oil has a dose of synthetic oil mixed with organic oil, and are formulated to provide protection for somewhat heavier engine loads and high temperatures. This generally means they're less volatile, so they evaporate far less, which reduces oil loss and increases fuel economy.

Higher-Mileage Oil is formulated for higher-mileage vehicles.

SAE rating - standard rating system to categorise different grades

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) created a standard rating system to categorise the different grades of motor oil. The SAE rating is the number and letter combination you see on bottles of oil, such as 10W-60 or 5W-30. These are measures of an oil’s viscosity. Viscosity is a measure of a fluid’s thickness and resistance to flow. For example, water is thinner, with a much lower viscosity than honey. Motor oil is no different. The SAE grade of an oil includes two numbers and a letter. The first number, 10, ends with the letter W. That stands for Winter and refers to how the oil will flow when it is cold, such as when the engine is first getting started. The second number, 30, refers to how the oil will flow at higher temperatures, such as when the engine is at normal operating temperature. Thicker, high viscosity oils (higher numbers) are typically better at protecting engines at warmer temperatures.

Synthetic blend - mixture of synthetic and organic oil

Synthetic blend oil is a mixture of synthetic and organic oil. It is formulated to provide protection for heavier engine loads and high temperatures. This generally means they're less volatile, so they evaporate far less, which reduces oil loss and increases fuel economy. These oils are popular with drivers of pickups or SUVs who want extra protection for activities that put more stress on the engine, such as hauling heavy loads. They're also much less expensive than full synthetics—sometimes just pennies more than a premium conventional oil.

Synthetic blend oil is a mixture of synthetic and organic oil. It is formulated to provide protection for heavier engine loads and high temperatures. This generally means they're less volatile, so they evaporate far less, which reduces oil loss and increases fuel economy. These oils are popular with drivers of pickups or SUVs who want extra protection for activities that put more stress on the engine, such as hauling heavy loads. They're also much less expensive than full synthetics—sometimes just pennies more than a premium conventional oil.

Synthetic blend oil is a mixture of synthetic and organic oil. It is formulated to provide protection for heavier engine loads and high temperatures. This generally means they're less volatile, so they evaporate far less, which reduces oil loss and increases fuel economy. These oils are popular with drivers of pickups or SUVs who want extra protection for activities that put more stress on the engine, such as hauling heavy loads. They're also much less expensive than full synthetics—sometimes just pennies more than a premium conventional oil.

Synthetic blend oil is a mixture of synthetic and organic oil. It is formulated to provide protection for heavier engine loads and high temperatures. This generally means they're less volatile, so they evaporate far less, which reduces oil loss and increases fuel economy. These oils are popular with drivers of pickups or SUVs who want extra protection for activities that put more stress on the engine, such as hauling heavy loads. They're also much less expensive than full synthetics—sometimes just pennies more than a premium conventional oil.

Synthetic blend oil is a mixture of synthetic and organic oil. It is formulated to provide protection for heavier engine loads and high temperatures. This generally means they're less volatile, so they evaporate far less, which reduces oil loss and increases fuel economy. These oils are popular with drivers of pickups or SUVs who want extra protection for activities that put more stress on the engine, such as hauling heavy loads. They're also much less expensive than full synthetics—sometimes just pennies more than a premium conventional oil.

Premium conventional - standard new-car oil

Premium conventional oil is the standard new-car oil and is available in several viscosities. Automakers usually specify a 5W-20 or 5W-30 oil for colder temperatures, with a 10W-30 oil as optional for higher ambient temperatures.

Thicker, high viscosity oils (higher numbers) are typically better at protecting engines at warmer temperatures. Viscosity is a measure of a fluid's thickness and resistance to flow. For example, water is thinner, with a much lower viscosity than honey. Motor oil is no different.

The SAE rating is the number and letter combination you see on bottles of oil, such as 10W-60 or 5W-30. These are measures of an oil's viscosity. The first number, 10, ends with the letter W. That stands for Winter and refers to how the oil will flow when it is cold, such as when the engine is first getting started.

Not every engine or vehicle needs the same type of oil. That’s why the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) created a standard rating system to categorize the different grades. The best source of information is your vehicle owner’s manual. The manual will provide the necessary details on the proper oil viscosity grade as well as the performance specification.

Higher-mileage - oils for higher-mileage vehicles

Today's vehicles simply last longer. If you prefer to pay off your car and run the mileage well into the six figures, you have another oil choice: oils formulated for higher-mileage vehicles.

Synthetic Blend Oil is a good option for higher-mileage vehicles. These have a dose of synthetic oil mixed with organic oil, and are formulated to provide protection for somewhat heavier engine loads and high temperatures. This generally means they're less volatile, so they evaporate far less, which reduces oil loss and increases fuel economy. These oils are popular with drivers of pickups or SUVs who want extra protection for activities that put more stress on the engine, such as hauling heavy loads. They're also much less expensive than full synthetics—sometimes just pennies more than a premium conventional oil.

Thicker, high viscosity oils (higher numbers) are typically better at protecting engines at warmer temperatures. Premium Conventional Oil is the standard new-car oil. All leading brands have these oils, which are available in several viscosities and tested under the latest API service level. Automakers usually specify a 5W-20 or 5W-30 oil for colder temperatures, with a 10W-30 oil as optional for higher ambient temperatures.

Not every engine or vehicle needs the same type of oil. That’s why the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) created a standard rating system to categorize the different grades. The SAE rating is the number and letter combination you see on bottles of oil, such as 10W-60 or 5W-30. These are measures of an oil’s viscosity. Viscosity is a measure of a fluid’s thickness and resistance to flow. For example, water is thinner, with a much lower viscosity than honey. Motor oil is no different. The SAE grade of an oil includes two numbers and a letter. Let’s use 10W-30 as an example: The first number, 10, ends with the letter W. That stands for Winter and refers to how the oil will flow when it is cold, such as when the engine is first getting started. The second number, 30, refers to how the oil will flow at higher temperatures, such as when the engine is at normal operating temperature.

Frequently asked questions