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SAE 5W-30 is a specific kind of motor oil. The letters and numbers show that the oil meets certain standards and convey specific attributes of the oil.
SAE
SAE stands for the Society of Automotive Engineers, an organization that sets the temperature requirements used to rate oils. The SAE designation shows that the oil meets those requirements, which allow the engineering standards of the motor oil to be uniform.
Viscosity Rating
"W" stands for Winter, and it shows that the oil meets the low-temperature requirements of the SAE, which is at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. The "5" is the oils cold-weather viscosity rating, which shows how thick or thin the oil is when you try to start an engine at cold temperatures. The "30" shows the oils viscosity rating at the SAEs high-temperature requirement, set at 212 degrees Fahrenheit.
Viscosity Differences
A 5W oil is the usual choice for winter use because it has less viscosity, or thickness, in the cold than 10W oil, and will flow easier through the moving parts of a vehicle engine. 5W-30 has less viscosity in both cold and hot weather than a 10W-40 oil. Be certain to use the oil viscosity that is called for by your vehicle owners manual.
