Question: What Engine Oil Does My Car Use

How do I know which oil to put in my car?

Choose an oil with the vehicle manufacture’s recommended viscosity rating (check your owner’s manual). Viscosity is an oil’s ability to flow at different temperatures. The two most common viscosities (a.k.a. weights) are SAE 5W-30 and SAE 10W-30. The lower the number, the thinner the oil.

Can I use 5W-30 in my car?

5w30 oil is particularly suitable for cars driving in cold climates. Unlike oils with a higher high temperature rating, such as 10 or 15, 5w30 oil can flow freely enough when the engine is started at low temperatures to coat and protect the engine’s internal components.

What’s the difference between 5W 20 and 5W-30?

5w30 motor oil, the 20 indicates that the oil has a lower viscosity and is thinner at higher temperatures. So, due to viscosity, 5w20 is a thinner oil during operating temperatures, whereas 5w30 is thicker during operating temperatures.

Can I put 5W-30 instead of 0w20?

0w20 is a fully synthetic motor oil. 0w being the winter weight, the viscosity of the oil at freezing temperatures. 20 is the finishing weight or how thick it is, when the engine is at operating temperature. 5w30 can be fully synthetic, however, putting it into your engine which is designed for 0w20 is a bad idea.

What happens if I put the wrong oil in my car?

Using the wrong fluid can cause poor lubrication, overheating, and possibly transmission failure. A mechanic might not be able to reverse the damage, even by flushing the transmission. Mistakenly adding motor oil or brake fluid can also destroy your transmission.

Can you use 5w40 oil instead of 5w30?

There’s not going to be much functional difference between a 5w-30 and 5w-40 as there’s a lot of functional overlap in the recommendations. The lower weight might yield better efficiency under light load operating conditions, but higher weight might yield better protection under higher load operating conditions.

Will it hurt to put 5W-30 in a 5w20 engine?

Can You Use 5w30 Instead Of 5w20. It is not recommended. Although they both have the same winter rating of 5, the thickness (viscosity) of 5w30 is a bit higher than 5w20. That means your engine’s at stake for using the high viscosity oil.

What cars can use 5W-30 oil?

5W-30 and 5W-40 oils are compatible with some models of common cars, like the Ford Focus, Ford Ka, Honda Civic and VW Golf.

Is 5W-30 good for hot weather?

5w30 motor oils are highly versatile and commonly used in a wide variety of engines. They are effective in temperatures as low as -30ºC. The ideal motor oil for your car is one that can withstand the hottest temperatures in your region while still being able to flow when the weather is at its coldest.

What car uses 5W20?

For model year 2001 and Newer: Ford, Honda, Chrysler and other OEM’s specify 5W-20 and 0W-20 motor oil for most all cars and light trucks.

Can you mix 5W20 and 5w30?

You can mix a 5W20 with a 5W30 oil with minimal amount of issues provided it the same manufacturer and the same API classification. The question is ‘why would you?” If it is because you oil is low and the only thing available is a different grade then it might be fine until you can get it changed.

Is 5W20 good for summer?

5W20 yeah it is like water, good for winter, but not as good in summer, when it gets 110F. Although 5w20 is like water, but it is holding together.

Does 0w20 damage engine?

It is unquestionably safe for your engine to use 0W-20. Manufacturers have been specifying 5W-20 and 0W-20 since the early part of the last decade, and there is no evidence that engine wear rates have increased since then.

What happens if I use 5w20 instead of 0w20?

As 0W20 is a far thinner oil than 5W-20, it is more stable at cold temperature than the latter and flows smoothly through the critical engine parts. 5W-20 is a comparatively thicker viscosity oil and is better for a normal operating temperature range of -22°F to 68°F.

Is 0w20 good for hot weather?

0w20 is a fast flowing oil used in modern multi valve engines it will flow quickly through the engine when it is cold. If it is recommended by the manufacturer it should not be a problem in hot weather. Your engine temperature is far hotter than outside temperature at any time.

What happens if I put 10w40 instead of 5w30?

If you use 10-w-40 instead of 5-w-30 specified by the manufacturer then the viscosity of 10-w-40 used by you will be higher and oil thicker than what is specified during winters. Similarly the oil viscosity will be higher and oil thicker than specified during summers.

Can I put synthetic oil in my car after using regular oil?

yes. If you don’t have a choice, adding synthetic oil to regular oil can help you out in a pinch. Since motor oils are generally made from the same ingredients (base oil and additives), they are typically compatible when mixed.

Can I add synthetic oil to regular oil?

Mixing them will not improve the performance or efficiency of your engine in any way. Adding synthetic oil to regular motor oil will not enhance the regular oil. Mixing regular motor oil with synthetic oil may dilute the benefits of the costlier synthetic oil.

Which oil is better 5w30 or 5w40?

In practice, this means that each oil is just as viscous at lower temperatures and will remain viscous at -30°C, however 5w40 oil outperforms 5w30 oils at higher temperatures, being effective up to ambient temperatures of 50°C, as opposed to 30°C.

Is 5w40 good for summer?

5w30 oil is designed to operate at temperatures as low as -25°C, but is also a great choice for warmer climates that reach up to 25°C. 5W40 is a motor oil that penetrates to the active mechanisms faster, and provides excellent lubrication on start up.