How to Select Motor Oil Grade For Winter Driving

Resistance from increased motor oil viscosity can contribute to difficult cold starts in the winter. Choose the correct oil to protect your car's engine during severe winter driving conditions.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Car owner's manual

1. 
   Change Motor Oil and Oil Filter to Avoid Difficult Cold Starts

   Change your car's motor oil and filter before winter. Sediments in dirty oil increase viscosity (thickness). Combine high viscosity with cooler winter temperatures and you have the recipe for difficult starting conditions.

2. 
   Choose Motor oil Grade With Lower Viscosity for Winter Driving

   The numbers in an oil grade represent viscosity. Lower numbers such as SAE 5W are thinner oils suitable for cold weather driving. Oils such as SAE 10W-30 and 10W-40 are multigrade oils, formulated with polymer additives that thicken oil in hot conditions and thin oil during cooler temperatures.

3. 
   Use Proper Motor Oil Grade for Winter Driving

   Select a motor oil with "W" in the grade, like SAE 5W, SAE 10W, SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40. The "W" stands for winter. Check your car owner's manual or call the dealership to determine the correct grade for winter driving. In very cold climates, select the lowest viscosity oil recommended by the manufacturer.

4. 
   Select Motor Oil With Pour Point Depressant Additives for Cold Weather Driving

   When choosing among brands of motor oil, select an oil with a lower pour point. The pour point is the lowest temperature where you can still pour the oil. While this information isn't listed on the motor oil label, it may be obtained on the oil manufacturer's website or by request. Look for motor oils advertising pour point depressant additives.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose API Service SM classification motor oils for the best deposit and wear protection with improved cold weather performance. Use CL-4 or CJ-4 class motor oils for diesel engines. Find the API Service classification in a donut-shaped service symbol on the motor oil container.
• SAE 5W and SAE 5W-20 are never suitable for high speed driving. These light, low viscosity oils burn off quickly at high temperatures and leave engine components unprotected.

Resources

• API Service Quality Classifications for Gas and Diesel Engines- Motor Oil Quality

[Thims]

on 12/9/2008 This article is kind of greasy! ;-) I'll look for the "W." Good topic.

[frenchwriter]

on 11/26/2008 Good tips and blessings to you. Merci beaucoup des conseils. A + Michel 5 stars.