Hbanalytics Blog
DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE 10W40, 15W30, 5W40 MEAN IN THE NAMES OF OILS?
When buying the lubricant for your vehicle, you must come across all those numbers, acronyms and words that seem to make no sense, right? But it's not to be scared! This is a very frequent question among many consumers and even merchants, so it is important to clarify. After all, choosing the correct oil is essential for the correct functioning of your vehicle. So, come with us to solve your doubts, find out more about this universe and become an expert in lubricating oils by taking a look at the illustrative image and its respective numbering. Also consider 0w20 vs 5w20 Oil
1 - Product line
Let's start exploring the packaging of our products by the most prominent factor on lubricating oil labels: the product line. In the center of the package, you will find the main oil category. In the case of Total, we have the Quartz, Elf, Rubia and Classic lines. Remembering that some lines have subcategories to further detail, such as INEO, ENERGY PRO, among others. This specification is found just below the main product line name.
2 - SAE viscosity classification
That's where the animal catches! Many have already seen that all lubricating oil has the numbers, next to the letter, forming an acronym, such as “10w40, 15w30, 5w40”. Each vehicle needs a specific oil viscosity, according to the type of engine, use, mileage and ambient temperature. The letter “W” represents the word “ Winter ”, which means winter in English. Therefore, the first number indicates the oil viscosity at low temperatures, when the engine is still at rest. The second number indicates the oil viscosity at 100 degrees C°, when the vehicle is already in motion. The ideal oil viscosity for your vehicle is found in the vehicle manual.
3 - Type of lubricant
Now that you've made it this far, you can't ignore the small print below the SAE index. There, you will know which type of oil you have: mineral, synthetic or semi-synthetic. If you still don't know what these names mean, don't worry, we 've covered everything you need about these categories here . Be sure to check it out!
4 - Product application
Finally, on the lower right hand side, you will find the application specifications, according to American standards (API) or European standards (ACEA).
API
The API classification is based on the severity degrees to which the engines are exposed. It is essential to know that the “S” indicates the correct specification for combustion engines, ie passenger vehicles, pickup trucks and vans. While the performance level will be evaluated on a scale from “A” to “M” following the evolution of the letters, in which the “M” indicates the highest quality oil, for vehicles that demand high performance.
ACEA
In the case of ACEA standards, the letter "A" indicates that the oil is for passenger vehicle gasoline engines, the letter "B" means that the lubricant is indicated for fast diesel engines (trucks and jeeps), while the letter “C” means the oil is made for heavy diesel vehicles (buses and trucks). All letters can be accompanied by a number, which means the low, medium or high level of performance represented respectively by “1”, “2” and “3”.
Well, now that you know how to read the lubricating oil label correctly, you can't buy the wrong oil, huh!? Any doubts, in the same way, always consult a mechanic or a professional specialized in the area!