Nowadays there is a wide range of vehicle oils, we hear a lot about the different brands, Liqui Moly, Motrio, among others; Likewise, different oil references are heard such as 5W30 or the most famous of all, 10W30. You also heard common questions such as How many kilometers is 10W30 oil for?

To resolve this question it is necessary to clarify the different types of oils available on the market, since this will depend on the frequency of change.

How many kilometers depending on the type of oil?

Mineral oil: since it does not have as many additives for its operation, it has a lower cost than synthetic oil but it also has a shorter life, so it is necessary to replace it every 5,000 or 6,000 kilometers. Semi-synthetic or synthetic oil: it has an optimized molecular composition compared to a mineral oil, including additives that help clean the engine internally and prolong its useful life for more kilometers: this oil must be replaced approximately every 8,000 or 10,000 kilometers, which also implies a higher cost than mineral oil. So to determine how many kilometers 10w30 oil lasts, we can say that if it is synthetic it should be changed every 8,000 or 10,000 kilometers and if it is mineral oil every 5,000 or 6,000 kilometers. If you have more questions about when to change the oil, you can read our guide to know how often do you change the oil in a car?

What does the reference 10W30 mean?

This is a nomenclature designed by the American Society of Engineers (SAE) to catalog the different types of oils used in the different machinery in the industry, including car engines. the vehicles. commercial.

Specifically, this way of naming used vehicle oils, such as 10W30, indicates two characteristics of the oil:

10W: indicates the viscosity of the oil when it is cold, at a temperature of 0 ºF (-17.77 ºC) 30: indicates the viscosity of the oil when the temperature is 210 ºF (98 ºC) . In conclusion, the reference 10W30 indicates that the viscosity of the oil when it is cold is 10 and when it is hot it is 30.