Table of Contents
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.
How do you know what viscosity oil to use in a vehicle?
The number to the right of the dash is the viscosity rating at engine operating temperature. The higher the number, the thicker the oil. The lower the number, the thinner the oil.
Should I use thicker oil in an older engine?
Older engines use more oil, but it gives them a better fuel economy. Older engines with more than 75,000 miles on them require a thicker oil that will lubricate their critical engine parts and prevent oil leaks, sludge, and deposits from forming.
Which oil is thicker 5W-30 or 10W30?
10w30 is thicker than 5w30 because it has a higher viscosity in low temperatures. The engine oil will flow slower than 5w30 during the cold season. Thicker or higher viscosity metal oil has a better seal compared to low viscosity oil. Thicker oil offers better lubrication of motor and engine parts.
Which oil is thicker 10W40 or 20W50?
This refers to its fluidity or thickness. The “20W” indicates how quickly the engine will start when cold or in cold weather. 20W50 motor oil is relatively viscous and thick. Most modern oils are 10W40 or even 5W40.
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.
What happens if I use 5W40 instead of 5W-30?
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.
What oil is thicker 5W-30 or 10W40?
A 10w-40 motor oil is a thicker oil at startup than a 5w-30 motor oil. Therefore, 10w-40 oil clings to the engine’s moving parts more than the lower viscosity 5w-30 oil.
What happens if I put 10W40 instead of 5W-30?
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.
When should I use 20w50 oil?
What Is 20W-50 Oil Used For? 20W-50 is a common motor oil used in moderate-to-large diesel and gasoline engines, high-performance motorcycle bikes, and aviation vehicles. Its resistance to thinning at high heat also makes it popular as a racing oil and high temperature driving.
What happens if you put 10W40 instead of 10W30?
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.
Is it OK to mix 10w30 and 5W-30?
No- you wont get the desired output by mixing these two oils. Because , both have different grades, 5w30 is more light and the density is less , and is intended for light usage (scooters). Whereas a 10w30 is a higer grade with more density and suitable for more higher capacity engines.
Can you switch from 5W-30 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.
Should I use 5W or 10W oil?
Absolutely yes for car engines, 5W-30 is usually synthetic and superior to 10W-30. Both have the same viscosity at the operating temperature of an average car engine. 5W has lower viscosity when cool and is considered better for the car engine during engine start.
What happens if I put 10w40 oil instead of 20w50?
The smaller number, (the 20 part of 20w-50) describes how the oil behaves at 40 deg C and a 20w at 40 deg C is about 10 times thicker than your engine wants. A 10w-40 is better at around 6 times thicker and a 0w-40 is much better at about 4 times thicker.
Is 20W-50 too thick?
20W-50 Motor Oil Due to its high-viscosity, 20W-50 is suitable for hotter climates. It is highly recommended for older vehicles. It is important to note that 20W-50 oil may be too thick for many newer passenger cars and can cause serious engine damage. Check with an automotive professional before switching motor oils.
What happens if I use 20w50 instead of 10w30?
The main reason for using 20w50 is to slow down oil burning. If this is the case, using 10w30 would speed up the burning. I have had oil burners before, and used 20w50 in the summer, with no problem. But, your car will be hard to start in very cold weather with 20w50.
