Engine oil Explained | Multigrade Oil Viscosity Explained | The Basics!

* VISUALLY EXPLAINED
Multigrade engine oil's ability to function effectively in a wide range of temperatures is a result of carefully selected and engineered ingredients. These ingredients work in combination to ensure the oil performs well in both cold and hot operating conditions. Here's a breakdown of the key ingredients and how they contribute to the functionality of multigrade engine oil:
Base Oils: The base oil, often derived from crude oil, forms the foundation of the lubricant. It provides the oil's primary lubricating properties and serves as a carrier for additives. Different types of base oils, such as mineral oils, synthetic oils, or semi-synthetic oils, can be used to create multigrade oils.
Viscosity Index Improvers (VII): These are polymer additives that play a critical role in making multigrade oils versatile. At low temperatures, the VII molecules are coiled up, allowing the oil to flow more easily (lower viscosity). At high temperatures, they expand and uncoil, thickening the oil to prevent it from becoming too thin (higher viscosity). VII additives are essential for achieving the oil's multigrade properties.
Detergents and Dispersants: These additives help keep the engine clean by preventing the buildup of deposits and sludge. Detergents remove existing deposits, while dispersants keep contaminants suspended in the oil, preventing them from settling on engine components.
Anti-Wear Additives: Anti-wear additives form a protective layer on metal surfaces, reducing friction and wear. They are particularly crucial in high-stress areas within the engine.
Friction Modifiers: These additives are used to enhance fuel efficiency by reducing friction between moving engine parts, especially in areas like the piston rings and cylinder walls.
Anti-Oxidants: Oxidation can break down oil and create harmful byproducts. Anti-oxidants are included to slow down this process, extending the oil's service life.
Corrosion Inhibitors: Corrosion inhibitors protect engine components from rust and corrosion, particularly in areas where moisture can accumulate, such as during cold starts.
Pour Point Depressants: These additives improve the oil's low-temperature flow properties, preventing it from thickening or gelling in cold conditions.
Anti-Foaming Agents: These additives help reduce foam formation within the oil, which can hinder lubrication and lead to inadequate protection.
Seal Swellers: They are used to rejuvenate and expand seals and gaskets in older engines, helping reduce oil leaks and maintain the oil's viscosity.
Coloring and Scent Additives: These are added for product identification and consumer appeal, but they don't significantly impact the oil's performance.
These ingredients, in the right proportions and formulations, work together to create multigrade engine oil that can offer consistent and effective lubrication across a wide range of temperatures and operating conditions. The specific formulation and balance of these additives can vary among different brands and types of multigrade oils to meet the performance requirements of various engine designs and applications.
Craig Kirkman (Owner and Creator of the 'The Repair Specialist' Channel).
The Images in this video are Copyrighted! Please check out my amazon shop. I have recommended some useful items from Amazon below.
I guarantee you that these items are the sorts of things I use on a daily basis so I know they are good. I have to be careful in recommending products because I have my name and credibility at stake. So I will only recommend good products. www.amazon.co....
#EngineOil
#MotorOil
#LubricationTechnology
#OilAdditives
#AutomotiveMaintenance
#ViscosityIndexImprovers
#EngineProtection
#FuelEfficiency
#MechanicalEngineering
#AutomotiveLubricants
#OilChemistry
#EnginePerformance
#VehicleMaintenance
#OilAdditiveTechnology
#EngineHealth
#OilProperties
#OilViscosity
#AutomotiveEngineering
#MaintenanceTips
#FuelEconomy

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

Hi guys I just wanted to Introduce to you my other Channel "Kirkman's Academy" - which i'm just getting started. It's a go-to channel for simple explanations for hard to grasp subjects such as physics, maths and chemistry etc. Here is the link: www.youtube.com/@kirkmansacademy/videos . Thank you so much for looking, and if these topics interest you then I hope to see you the there. Many thanks indeed. Craig 😊👍

[@sosa4]

The best explanation on engine oil. No one has ever tried to simplify the oil mystery before.

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

Thank you so much for the nice feedback. I really appreciate it. Craig

[@BrianAndersonTT]

Craig, if all educators were like you, the world will be so much better. Not often I discover someone teach so eloquently and concisely. You really demystified this topic. The simplified chemistry near the end helped me finally understand how engine oil gets thicker when hotter instead of thinner. Bravo! Thank you!

[@staninjapan07]

You really demystified this topic. That's what it's all about, I feel - demystifying the topic.

[@samirsami570]

For a year, I watched almost a hundred videos on KZbin about oil viscosity and this is the only one that really explained it to me; thank you for your time and efforts

[@Artoconnell]

LOL, not real quick on the uptake?

[@DavidlyBrown]

One of the best explanations of oil on the internet. Thank you for creating this.

[@andrewdong3875]

I think it's one of the best explanations on the Internet.

[@w8lvradio]

I wanted to add: Great Video, don't you wish School was like that when you were growing up? Good teacher, good visuals, concepts in logical sequence. No Brats to disrupt your learning, and no Damned Test. KZbin is Awesome.

[@SwanseaTitanFan]

William Pietschman - test-If you are changing oil in a Toyota Highlander on a Wednesday in a leap year would you use - 10W-30, SAE30, 0W-30 or 3 in 1?

[@tapansarker1684]

One of the best informative video I have ever seen. It helps me to overcome my confusion about engine oil grade.

[@forx4adventure638]

Finally I understand what the numbers and the letter means. Thank you 👍

[@kevinthek9ninjah848]

i have not found a video in youtube that has a better discription an esplanation and breakdown that this video. all other videos are short quick tips that dont really mean all that much. But this video is so details and well structured. i now feel a lot more clued up and have a much better understanding and better grasp of what is happening and what to look out for in hte oil viscocity ranges. like i never new the viscocity range , ranges from 0 to 60 and no other video lists this. thank you for this well put tegother video

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

Thank you for your kind feedback. 👍👍👍

[@paulwharton1850]

Absolutely bloody outstanding - Thank you for a very clear and easy to understand explanation. I'll put Mobil 1 esp 0W - 40 in everything At least I now know why I'm paying more money !

[@MT_T991]

one of the best on KZbin

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

Matthew Trott, thank you for your positive feedback

[@xurewinpad-ay1038]

100% agree

[@RuggyRat]

If I am a mechanic instructor, I would just play this video in class while marking paper. Very educational. Thanks

[@rorp1000]

I think I am finally beginning to understand this mysterious process. Great explanation!

[@dustinmarshall5741]

Fantastic rendetition! Out of hundreds of people simply babbling along just trying to explain oil weights you sir have made it very clear and easy to understand to what id like to think for anyone. Not only did you simplify and explain but you shed light on the deeper inner workings of the oil which is something ive always desired to know. Thank you sir very much.

[@amold1223]

Superb explanation, really appreciated. The only video I came across on KZbin that explains oil behaviour in so much detail and so logically correct. Really appreciated.

[@samclerkinoliver]

Great explanation, your a natural teacher !

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

sam oliver, thank you for your motivating comment. I really do appreciate it

[@CASH-TO-THE-MERE101]

Sam Oliver 🔥🔥🔥

[@millermilloy]

A first-rate, excellent explanation for the layman. Clear, useful and easy to follow diagrams. No jargon, no 'sell', no promotion of any particular product. Thporoughly recommedned.

[@steviezxr]

Miller Milloy And incorrect

[@alphastarcar]

This is an excellent presentation! Thank you for explaining how oil structure changes with heat, modifiers and solvent.

[@Vi-J]

Your way of explaining is simply brilliant

[@Tharindusri91]

You are one of a kind teacher. Million Thanks for this Amazing video. I am studying IT networking but now I feel like studying motor mechanics :)))

[@Loke-h3w]

I viewed many videos on engine oil and now I finally understood how it work after seeing your video. Thank you very much.

[@staninjapan07]

Thanks very much from Japan. (That is to say one bloke in Japan and not the whole nation :) ) That is a top class video. Appropriately simple and comprehensive in every part, nicely paced, nicely ordered, great graphics. I'd give you an award for it... if I were able. Now I know what it means that my bikes' manufacturers demand the use of such specific oils. In 1990 I was, very briefly, an apprentice mechanic at a Toyota dealer in the UK. I was not there long enough to learn this - bad relationship with the dealer manager. I feel I have gone up one grade from, say, level 20/100 to level 21/100.

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

Thank you for your feedback. I really appreciate it. Craig

[@Supreme_Soul.]

sir, believe me, I have searched about the depth of the topic so much and watched about 70s of videos around KZbin. but you are the one who actually solved my doubts about how an engine oil gets thicker with the rise of temperature, it should get thinner with the rise of temperature,but actually it's not like that.. it actually acts like a thicker engine oil when the temperature rises. .. I'm very thankful to you sir.. I'm from India🇮🇳. From today I'm watching your video.

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

Thanks and welcome. 👍👍👍

[@AmirHosseinSabahi-p2b]

It was a really really great video for me. It explains all complex parameters very simply. Thanks alot

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

You are welcome! Than you also.

[@TheJoeman11]

If knowledge is power then the ability to teach it properly is also. You are very powerful. Thank you for empowering me with this knowledge.

[@moazsalem3488]

Your have cleared all my doubts & answered all my questions I shall always remember this video

[@MdJalisMahmud]

The explanation of oil grade is very simple & everyone must understand very easily. Great learning for me. Thank you.

[@trackpackgt877]

5:50 that's why some older engines like my pickup truck have main bearing knocks on Startup and then after they get oil pressure they stop. It's also weird we live in a time where warm oil gets thicker and cold oil gets thinner completely opposite of what it should be great video man

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

Thank you so much for the nice feedback. I really appreciate it. Craig

[@Crest591]

Keep doing what your doing man, really informative.

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

Jonathan, thank you for the motivating feedback, I really do appreciate it

[@akashir1333]

so now i don't have any doubt regarding engine oils , thank u well explained

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

Thank you

[@KazutoGarage]

great content and we learn something new from this video.

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

im pleased it was useful :D -Craig

[@jma7617]

Great Great video. Very informative. Thank you. Very well explained.

[@usctrojans001]

Excellent Analysis of Motor Oil and Easy to Understand Explanation. Thank You!

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

Thank you too. Craig

[@cheejun7719]

Thank you Sir ! I have learned a lot today.

[@brianedwards2762]

Always wondered how an oil could become thicker when it gets hot. Great explanation.

[@marioristovski4232]

Thank you so much, after 41y i now finally know what and how oil is and works in the car! you should have a pay pal for donations!

[@amossiame8913]

The best explanation on oils ever!

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

Thank you so much for your nice feedback. It's comments like yours that motivate me to continue making these videos. Craig 😀👍

[@elhandousmedamine2330]

That's a really really great explanation, thank you very much for your effort. You need to teach students sir.

[@francfurian8215]

That was an excellent in-depth explanation. Cheers😊

[@Mik3Bravo]

Thanks very much for this and the last video Craig, I imagine it will have taken a while to produce them and they will be of help to me and I imagine others for a very long time. Nice to find someone new I want to subscribe to as well

[@salimkadar9731]

Nicely and simply explained.

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

Thank you 🙂

[@mdrafiqulalamkhan9888]

It is an excellent tutorial,making me understood clearly.

[@AndrewC6]

Superb lesson, thank you so much! It all makes sense now. Reminded me when I was trying to visualize the lunar cycle in astronomy class. Get the right resources and be persistent !

[@wandilesinaba4682]

Very informative, it was never explained like this before

[@bernienebenfuhr8773]

Thanks Craig. Good explanation and I've learnt a couple things too.

[@neilhay2155]

Excellent job of explaining how it all works together. Maybe you could take one more step of how the different oils work themselves. The modern oils have changed a lot from the early days to cover different types of engines and requirements. Thank you.

[@MrMcxcoy]

Very informative, this lecture is very beneficial. Appreciated a lot Sir. Keep it up.

[@economics1998]

Great explanation, my ignorance about oil grades removed. Thanks

[@ikeja76]

Very informative and comprehensive....well done!!!!!!

[@elianecristina5785]

What great explantion! Thank you for your videos!

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

Thank you so much for the nice feedback. I really appreciate it. Craig

[@hargrove_here]

Awesome vid. That cleared up any misconceptions I had. Thanks.

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

Thank you so much for your nice feedback. It's comments like yours that motivate me to continue making these videos. Craig 😀👍

[@Version6STi]

Amazing detail and very informative. Subscribed!

[@brutusoftroy2810]

The more modern synthetics use a lot less VII's. They start with a synthetic base oil which thickens less so can meet the spec of a 5W and an SAE30. The only additions i'd make to the vid is that it's not that the oil thickens with heat, it's that it gets less thin that it would have done without the VII's, the cst of the oil still goes down, just not as much. Also these bearing are hydrodynamic so the oil pressure built up by restriction of flow from the pump isn't doing anything directly to keep the metal parts separated. In a hydrodynamic bearing, the supplied oil is sucked in and forced out by the rotation of the journal. The rotation of the journal creates an oil wedge that the journal rides on, like a surfer. The restriction of flow prevents too much side leakage from the bearing to guarantee oil wedge integrity and no metal to metal contact. The oil system is usually pretty much primed because the oil pump is holding the oil in oilways the block.

[@christoffergrinsted]

Brilliant explanaition

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

Christoffer Grinsted, thank you so much for your positive feedback. I really do appreciate it.

[@patriciocordova449]

You are awesome, after 20 years I finally understood it! Thanks mate!

[@Khaled.3y]

Great explanation, but something is wrong. The oil does not get thicker when hot. By simply looking at it when pouring it from the bottle to an engine it is thick. And when draining the same hot oil from the engine which was still hot at the time of draining at about 100C. You can clearly see it pour down like water and by touching it you feel that it is less viscous than colder oil. I think the multi grade allows for less thickening when oil is hot compared to a single grade, and oil is the thickest when cold and gets thicker the lower the temperature and thinner the hotter the temperature, the VM doesn’t allow it to thin as much as it would have without the VM, yet still its thinner when hot than when cold. Looking at oil spec sheets. You can see different viscosities at 100c and 40c. Correct me if I’m wrong.

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

I understand your questioning of this, i really do, and you are right to question it, as many have. What I failed to do in this video is to better explain what I actually meant by this. In response, I have made another video, which I hope will help clear things up. You can find it here on you tube at: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZ6vcoaDbr2Wg5Y I hope this helps. Thanks, Craig

[@Steve-mu4oy]

Outstanding presentation! Well done Sir!

[@datsun9292]

Such a good video. It deserves a subscribe

[@paulwharton1850]

A very good, clear explanation - I learnt a lot. Please see if you can improve the audio quality.

[@ronsbeerreviewstools4361]

Very good job on this educational post.

[@samwezz6621]

Excellent simple explanation. Thank you.

[@jerrysmith9780]

Wow...Thank You. That was so informative. Great teaching style. Thank You, I finally understand what and why I'm buying.

[@jeffpeters889]

Thank you Sir for this explanation. I genuinely belief that Fred Flintstone have it easy.

[@bjobrien7413]

Very Good explanation....Thank you

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

You are welcome

[@gfighter2400]

Thanks so much for that excellent explanation as to how multi grade oils work. I’ve wondered for a long time how the additives modify the base oils.

[@doodyman911]

you might have gotten me my job at TOTAL thanks so much my man

[@sasasimic75]

Best explanation on KZbin!

[@cesaraugustop]

Mr Craig, you are amazing! Many thanks for sharing this importante information...i would like to have a Professor like you! its so nice to hear you! many regards from Colombia, thanks!!

[@coiledsteel8344]

LOVE the info and your accent!

[@barry-cq4xg]

a really clear explanation of oil grades.

[@FloridaCoastalGuy]

You explained this very well.

[@SpaDerola]

Very helpful. Love the molecular explaination as well.

[@HowToofficial]

really informative and even easy to understand . Thanks .. !!

[@skellexxxfourtyvevo6828]

Learned a lot frm that bro thank you good video

[@vandachakchangkar]

What’s a great tutorial!!!!!!! Love it

[@imranmaeen6582]

Excellent... today i got my concept cleared............Thanks Sir

[@summit3030]

great video. my guess than a 5w-40 would be ideal.

[@paulpayne6373]

Amazing explanation. It would be great if many of the other KZbinrs would learn from you.

[@sharadbagadi6382]

Nice explanation 💧🌱

[@juanpaVlz]

Wow that's an amazing explanation, now everything makes sense.

[@mazensal8184]

Useful information make since .please keep pushing forward all the great information.thanks a lot.

[@alfredkabura]

learning is great I do know the older the vehicle is as well as the embien temperature comes to consideration thanks for sharing the knowledge.

[@nickicruz3658]

Very best video..now i know..thanks a lot in million times for this technical info

[@patelajay1010]

Excellent explanation sir...I really thankful to you to clear my doubts...

[@KBTG]

I've been wondering about that since 1969.

[@manikandansankaranarayanan2303]

Excellent message. Thanks a lot for the great explanation provided technically

[@don.timeless4993]

This is really amazing video, thank you so much

[@kathussiaautocad129]

fantastic explanation, I am about to do an interview to lubricant sales, thank you very much!!!

[@dilipkulkarnius]

Yes , Truly great explanation, ,simple to understand this comlicated chemistry

[@donmartin9489]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your knowledge. Liked and subscribed.

[@malcolmevans941]

This has been very helpful indeed, thank you

[@AussieRoos]

Thanks 🙏 for the video 👍

[@mmganesh6087]

that was a good explanation. learning initially that the oil is thick when cold and thin when hot... just when i was absorbing that idea , you gave a twist of " acts like 30 " after a minute of discrepancy , you introduced vm and solvent and again clarity came back... nice video.... hmmm but my sym scooter company manual recommended sae 10 w 30 and the mechanic recommended sae 20 w 30 ... i bought what the mechanic had recommended and he filled the tank... had i seen this video i would have gone for sae 10w 30... but may be sae 20w will act at higher temperature better than sae 10w..

[@steviezxr]

m m ganesh Oil gets thinner with heat. End

[@nanuar6213]

Really great explaination! thank you :)

[@DrBroncanuus]

at last somebody has had the insight to explain carefully why oils get thicker when they get hotter when common sense dictates they should get thinner.....it's down to VM's and how solvents act on the bonds between them as temp rises making the bonds weaker so the VM's expand in size making the oil thicker.......great video

[@DrBroncanuus]

great now i'm confused ...VM= viscosity modifiers ?

[@DrBroncanuus]

steviezxr...sorry but you have not understood the video...if you're right then 5w-30 is wrong....5w = viscosity at 0 deg ....but 30= viscosity at high temps (100 deg) according to you at higher temp the viscosity gets thinner and should drop below 5 but it does not due to the action of viscosity modifiers and solvents...they are activated by heat making this oil thicker at high temp...remember modern oils are not single grade but multigrade

[@Tyrone-qw7pl]

Well explained. Great work teacher. 100%

[@joemontero725]

This my good man is a great explanation. Just got me to subscribe.

[@themessenger5868]

Thanks, that's been very helpful.

[@Chartovar]

Thanks for the explanation! You saved my day. Gracias

[@TheRepairSpecialist]

Glad it could help you :D Thank you for your kindness :) -Craig

[@grahamrobson998]

Great explanation, Great teacher Thank you

[@CASH-TO-THE-MERE101]

Graham Robson 🔥🔥🔥