Whats the difference with oil?

[Paul Smith]

Hi

I was wondering if anyone could explain the difference between say a 10/40 fully synthetic and a 10/60 fully synthetic and the difference it may have on a road car and engine?

Thanks

Paul

 

[jowley]

the difference is how good it works the lower the first number the faster it flows when cold and the second number is when hot so 10/40 is better than 10/60

 

[Ceirwan]

That's not true at all! Or some of it isn't. You can't say that 10/40 is better then 10/60 or vice versa! In certain engines 10/60 is better, for a micra 10/40 will be better. In very high performance engines 10/60 is recommended a lot because of the high operating temperatures.

Basically the 10/60 will be more viscous for a set temperature, hence why it is designed for engines that run hotter.

 

[joesouthgate]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_oil