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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.
What grade oil should I use in my car?
Automakers usually specify a 5W-20 or 5W-30 oil for colder temperatures, with a 10W-30 oil as optional for higher ambient temperatures. These three ratings cover most light-duty vehicles on the road.
Should I use 5w30 or 10w30?
5w30 provides better lubrication compared to 10w30. It is best suited for private vehicles and light-duty diesel and petrol engines, while 10w30 is more suitable for commercial vehicles and other cars with heavy load engines.
What does 10w40 mean?
10W-40 is the viscosity, or weight, of the motor oil as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE for short). A 10W-40 oil has a viscosity grade of 10W at a low temperature and 40 at a higher temperature. What does this mean, exactly? Motor oil thickens when it’s cold and becomes thinner when heated up.
How do I know what type of oil to use?
There’s no substitute for reading your owner’s manual. It will list what type of oil the automaker recommends for your car. It may also recommend different oil depending on whether you live in a hot or cold climate. The most important thing is to use oil that’s the right thickness, or viscosity, for your car’s engine.
What happens if you use 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.
Is it OK to switch from 5W30 to 10W30?
The oils only differ in cold weather viscosity. If you never see temperatures below zero F then either 5W30 or 10W30 is fine. If winter temperatures are regularly below 0 degrees F then 5W30 is what you should run and you can run it year round if the 30 weight is good according to your owner’s manual.
Can you put 10W40 in a 5W30 engine?
Your vehicle does not use 5W-30 oil. The recommended oil viscosity for your vehicle, according to Kia documentation, is 10W-40. If you drive the vehicle in exceptionally cold weather, well below 32 degrees, you can use 5W-30 oil but even 10W-40 is still perfectly OK to use if outdoor temperatures are below freezing.
When should I use 10W40 oil?
While both are low-temperature grade oils, 10W40 is thicker at high temperature; therefore, better to use in warm weather.
Is 10W40 good for high mileage?
Mobil 1 High Mileage 10W-40 motor oil is recommended by ExxonMobil for use in high mileage vehicles (even those that have used lower quality conventional oils†), including: Cars.
Which is better 10W30 or 10W40?
The higher the number, the more viscous or thicker, the oil is at higher temperatures. 10W40 oil has a higher viscosity, retaining more thickness than 10W30 as the temperature rises. In that case, 10W-40 motor oil would technically provide better protection against engine wear contact in higher temperatures.
What does 10W30 mean?
Answered January 07 2020. The 10W30 designation on engine oil means that the viscosity of the oil is rated at 10W when an engine is cold and 30 when the engine is hot. This is different than an oil labelled 5W30, which has a thinner viscosity when the engine is cold at 5W.
Is Full synthetic oil Better?
Yes, synthetic oil is better for your engine than conventional oil. Synthetics use higher quality base oils as compared to the less-refined base oils used in conventional oils which makes conventional oils: Less chemically stable. Oxidize and acidify more easily.
Does it matter what oil filter you use on a car?
You will want to check with your vehicle’s manufacturer to make sure, but typically any automotive filters that are made for modern vehicles can be used with any type of oil. Every major motor oil manufacturer says you do not need a special or different oil filter when using synthetic oil.
Is it better to use thicker oil in high mileage engine?
High-mileage motor oil doesn’t hurt and it could prevent leaks from starting. Some mechanics recommend switching to a thicker (higher viscosity) oil — such as 10W-30 full synthetic oil instead of 5W-20 full synthetic — or using oil additives to stop leaks.
Is 5w30 good for high mileage?
5W-30 motor oil is the top viscosity recommendation by automakers over the past four decades for use in many vehicle types. Furthermore, high-mileage 5W-30 motor oil is specially formulated for late model vehicles or newer vehicles with over 75,000 miles/120,000 kilometers.
Is 10W40 oil synthetic?
Castrol EDGE High Mileage 10W-40 with Fluid TITANIUM Technology is an advanced full synthetic motor oil that is specifically designed to for vehicles with over 75,000 miles.
Should I use 10w30 for high mileage?
10W-30 motor oil makes for a decent high-mileage oil. It gives a better fuel economy while reducing the oil consumption for older engines. Older engines with more than 75,000 miles on them require a thicker oil that will properly lubricate their critical engine parts and prevent oil leaks, sludge, and deposits.
Can I use SAE 30 instead of 10w30?
No, SAE 30 is a single viscosity oil. 10w30 is multiple viscousity. Recommended engine oil viscosity changes with temperature because natural oils change viscosity with temperature. A SAE 30 oil will thin out at higher temperatures.
Can I use 5W 20 instead of 5w30?
5W-20 oil, being the lower viscosity oil (thinner oil) than 5W-30, might help boost your fuel economy. And although you may not notice a vast difference, it does add up over time. However, remember that you should always use the motor oil recommended for your car by your engine manufacturer or mechanic.
