Buzz
Motor oil plays a vital role in lubricating and cooling the engine, ensuring smooth operation of motorcycles. It not only facilitates smooth engine functioning but also contributes significantly to prolonging the lifespan of motorcycles during usage.
There's a wide array of motor oils available on the market, catering to consumers' needs. Single grade motor oil stands out among them, garnering considerable attention.
So, what exactly is single grade motor oil? And what about single grade motor oil for cold climates? Let's delve into it with Mytour and get the answers.
1. What is Single Grade Motor Oil?
Single grade implies just one. It suggests that single grade motor oil is only suitable for a specific climate condition, either hot or cold.
2. What are the types of single grade motor oil?
To meet the operational requirements of engines in different climate zones, single grade motor oil is divided into 2 types:
– Single grade motor oil for cold climates
In countries with temperate or frigid climates like Russia, England, South Korea, etc., temperatures drop very low during winter, sometimes below freezing. Just tossing a cup of water outside can result in it freezing before hitting the ground. Since motor oil is liquid like water, it's prone to the same issue. Hence, manufacturers produce motor oil that's thin enough not to freeze. These types are known as single grade motor oil with low viscosity.
Indicated as follows: 0W, 5W, 10W, 15W, 20W, etc.
The letter “W” stands for Winter – the cold season. The number preceding the “W” indicates the viscosity at low temperatures of the motor oil product. The smaller the number, the thinner the oil, making it less likely to solidify in cold temperatures.
Some of you might wonder how to determine the lowest temperature at which oil remains functional. Here's a formula:
Subtract 35 degrees Celsius from the value preceding the letter W to get the desired result.
For example:
The lowest temperature at which 0W oil doesn't solidify = 0 – 35 = -35 degrees Celsius
The lowest temperature at which 10W oil doesn't solidify = 10 – 35 = -25 degrees Celsius
The advantage of these products is their low viscosity, making them very thin, which helps the engine run faster, rev higher, and reduce fuel consumption.
However, they also have a deadly disadvantage: when the vehicle operates for extended periods, generating heat, it causes the oil film to become thin and easily evaporate, no longer effectively protecting engine components.
– Single grade motor oil for hot climates
Countries in the equatorial regions like Vietnam, India, Indonesia, etc., experience hot climates year-round. The average temperature ranges from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. Additionally, they predominantly use unclean fuel sources, resulting in high sulfur and impurities content, increasing emissions, dust, and greenhouse gas effects.
Engines in such conditions are prone to dust accumulation, leading to rust, corrosion, and reducing the lifespan of metal components. Therefore, motor oil must have cleaning and thick oil film functions to mitigate these issues.
That's why single grade motor oil with high viscosity is developed. This type is designated differently from low viscosity motor oil as they lack the letter W, expressing viscosity solely through a specific number, indicating the product's viscosity.
For example: 30, 40, 50, 60, etc.
If you often change oil in Honda Heads, you'll surely notice a point about genuine oil bottles. About 5 years ago, Honda oil packaging was labeled Honda SJ 30 MA/MB. This is the type of merchandise we're discussing here.
Similar to low viscosity single grade motor oil, this type also has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Due to its high viscosity, the oil film is thick, providing excellent protection as the engine temperature rises during fuel combustion. Consequently, friction between components is minimized. Moreover, the oil is less prone to evaporate, so you don't have to worry about loss during vehicle operation.
However, because of its high viscosity, it creates significant resistance, resulting in fuel inefficiency. Additionally, if the vehicle remains idle for a long time, starting it may be more difficult and it could even stall. The dense oil makes it challenging to pump into the engine quickly.
