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What Are the Differences Between Various Oils

Model: (Various brands) Various
Part: Engine oil

In this video, we will clarify many of our doubts about multigrade oils for our engine: the numbers before and after the 'double W' indicate the minimum and maximum temperatures at which the oil remains fluid or viscous. For example, a 5W40 indicates that the oil will remain fluid down to 5 degrees Celsius and viscous up to 40°C. Typically, 5W30 is more suitable for high-mileage vehicles because, being a less refined oil, it tends to seal any imperfections in the engine. The code is preceded by the acronym SAE, which stands for Society of Automotive Engineers, but we also find API codes where there is a letter followed by a number (S for petrol and C for diesel) and another letter; the higher it is, the better the quality of the oil. The ACEA codes consist of four letters: A, B, C, and E, where A stands for petrol, B for diesel, C for engines with after-treatment, and E for heavy-duty diesel engines. They are followed by a number; the higher it is, the better the quality of the lubricant. Synthetic oils are now valid for all types of drivetrains: the important thing is to frequently check the lubricant level and use quality products.

Updated on 19 September 2026 by ScegliAuto

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