Manufacturers such as Toyota and Honda are building new vehicle models that now specify using zero-weight motor oil rather than the heavier 10W-30 oil. Changing to a thinner, lighter oil viscosity like 0W-20 can mean better fuel efficiency and increased savings for consumers, according to synthetic oil manufacturer Royal Purple.

Zero-Weight Motor Oil
Zero-weight motor oils are formulated to be able to lubricate the internal structures of the engine more freely, helping to extend engine life and deliver maximum fuel economy because the engine doesn't have to work as hard to move the oil around. These low viscosity oils also provide protection in low temperatures, uniform lubrication, reduced friction and help make the engine produce more power over heavier-weight oils.

According to Royal Purple, use of a synthetic oil helps conserve natural resources and can save consumers money because oil change intervals increase by as much as 5,000 miles compared to use of conventional mineral-based low viscosity oils. Between extended service intervals and fuel economy improvements, drivers may see up to a 5% improvement in fuel and maintenance costs.

0W-20 Motor Oil
To meet manufacturer and consumer demand for zero-weight viscosity oil in today’s vehicles, Royal Purple recently developed its fully-synthetic 0W-20 motor oil. Royal Purple’s low viscosity synthetic oil provides added defense against wear, maximum corrosion and extended emissions protection, optimized fuel economy, as well as increased ethanol compatibility for today's flex-fuel vehicles and automobiles running on seasonally blended gasolines.

What is Viscosity?
Viscosity is a liquid’s thickness and/or resistance to flow. In general terms, one would say molasses has a higher viscosity than honey, just as 10W-30 oil has a higher viscosity than 0W-20 oil.

To articulate this further, as you can see from the comparative viscosity chart below, water at 70 degrees Fahrenheit has an approximate viscosity of 1. Honey has a viscosity in the range of 2,000–3,000. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) assists in setting the standards for motor oil performance in the United States and also set the standards for which motor oil viscosity is measured.

There are three components to a viscosity number to remember when reading an oil container. Using the 0W-20 reading as an example, the first part of the number, “10”, is an indication of how well oil flows in cold temperatures. The motor oil performs at the first number until the engine is at full operating temperature, allowing the oil to cover the operating regions of the engine, pushing toward the smaller areas. The letter “W” stands for “winter” weights. The last number, “20” which is the most important, reflects the viscosity grade of the oil at operating temperatures. The smaller the last number is the lower the viscosity when the engine is warm.

In addition to its new 0W-20 synthetic motor oil, Royal Purple manufactures a complete line of other weight oils and oil filters for a variety performance, street, marine and industrial applications. A full product catalog is available by accessing Royal Purple's website at www.royalpurple.com/rp-products.