5W-30 oil?

**Posted:** Sun Nov 14, 2004 11:59 pm

Hi, for those who haven't read my self-introduction, it's in the Chit-Chat section.

This is the first instalment of my book of stupid questions. :lol:

Not long after buying my Ford Escort (about 2 years ago), I mistakenly bought a 4.5 litre can of Castrol GTX Magnatec 5W-30 oil, which I still have today. And it's in pristine condition! The oil, that is. :lol:

Now, I don't know if I can use this in my 323F. I've heard others here talk about 5W-40 and 0W-40, but I've not heard any mention of 5W-30. Is it possible to use this in my 1.8i GLX or will it kill my engine?

I don't want to throw away a perfectly good can of oil. Problem is I don't really understand all this 5W-40, 0W-40, 5W-30 business. What differences do the 2 figures make? Can someone explain briefly what it's all about please? Sorry, if it's been done before.

**Posted:** Mon Nov 15, 2004 9:11 am

This should help:

[url]http://www.castrol.com/castrol/genericarticle.do?categoryId=8264018&contentId=6003219[/url]

Mark

**Joined:** Sun Nov 14, 2004 10:02 pm **Posts:** 10

Hi PK
Iwill try to be brief,
back in the 1920s the American society of engineers (SAE) classified oils into a number
system the larger the number the more viscous or (thick) the oil is , these numbers specify a minimum viscosity that the oil should not get thinner than at 100 degrees,
the smaller number with the w attatched is a grading for winter conditions and is the thickness the oil should not get thicker than at minus 20 degrees .
hope that helps PK
this type of oil is known as a multigrade, so a 5w/30 would be no thicker than a 5 grade oil at zero and no thinner than a 30 grade oil at boiling.
so the magnatec willl be fine in winter but thinner than a 5w/40 in summer.

**Posted:** Mon Nov 15, 2004 8:19 pm

Thanks for the link, Mark.T!

It was very useful - everything you ever wanted to know about oil but were afraid to ask!

And I liked the tips about choosing a good mechanic and how not to get ripped off, some good advice there!

And cheers for the explanation, al the one! It's cleared things up for me.

**Posted:** Mon Nov 15, 2004 8:50 pm

No worries PK.

Mark

**Joined:** Sun Nov 14, 2004 10:02 pm **Posts:** 10

No worries PK
I only new cause I had just read about it myself.
So are you gonna stick the magnetec in or not?

5W-30 oil?

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