any way to test what viscosity of oil is in a car

The numerical codes of these standards are defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). This resistance to flow calculation is known as viscosity.

And if you’re towing a heavy load on top of that, it is even more work for the oil. Oil has a harder time flowing in the cold and an easier time flowing in the summer. For example, vehicles must endure cold weather during winter and hot weather during summer. The motor oil in car engines has to function under various temperatures and pressures. As long as you follow what your car or truck manual says, you’ll be fine. The types are a lot more confusing but the American Petroleum Institute does a good job explaining here. Vehicles powered by diesel engines have their own motor oil classifications. Your manual should recommend an oil that has a requirement such as “compliant with standard SN of API.” Diesel Engines Check your owner’s manual to find the right oil for your car and at least 2 accurate multi-grade specifications that coincide with the engine of your vehicle.ĭo not just look for a brand name when choosing oil. Use in gasoline engines for cars built in 2001 and older.īecause of this, all the oil you buy in the present will have to be equal or better than the previous standards such as SG, SF, SJ, SL, and SM. Use in gasoline engines for cars built in 2004 and older. Use in gasoline engines for cars built in 2011 and older. Use in gasoline engines for cars built in 2018 and older. Use in gasoline engines of today's cars and older. The table below notes these classifications. The current service classification for today’s gasoline powered cars is “SN PLUS” which was introduced in 2018.įor new cars (2019 and newer – depending on when you read this), you want to make sure the motor oil you purchase has this classification noted in the “API Donut” image (see examples below) which is visible on all bottles of motor oil.įor older cars (2018 and older), you can also use motor oil with the “SN PLUS” classification but you may be able to also use older classifications depending on when your car was built. Therefore, different engine oil classifications exist and will likely continue to be created in the future. Over time, the oil required by vehicles has changed.Ĭars from the 1920s, 1950s, 1970s, and so on require a different formulation of motor oil. In the United States, the American Petroleum Institute (API) sets standards for measuring the characteristics of passenger car engine oil.

How Using the Wrong Oil Impacts Engine Components.

Mixing Synthetic Oil with Conventional Motor Oil.

Any way to test what viscosity of oil is in a car