[/quote]m-w.com:
Main Entry: vis·cos·i·ty
2 : the property of resistance to flow in a fluid or semifluid
A 10w oil is thin, at room temperature flows almost as easy as water.
90w gear oil, at room temperature, flows like room temperature honey.
40w oil will be somewhere inbetween.
Honey or oil thins as you warm it, thickens as it cools.
A multi-weight oil, such as a 20w-50w is less temperature sensitive -- at low temperatures it flows as easy as a 20w, at high temperaatures maintains thickness needed to lubricate like a 50w.
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Ahhhh....so much easier now, all better with the honey explaination...!
As for the technical oil thread that spun off of this original question ~ you all just go for it; my question has been answered so I'm outta here!