Many people are confused that can they put 5w30 instead of ow20 oil or not? The answer is yes. To know the reason, difference between the two, and benefits, we need to go into the details.
Let’s dive in! Motor oils are always rated according to their viscosity as it is responsible for heat generation and friction in cylinders gear sets and bearing.
Their viscosity lubricates the moving parts of the vehicle which helps them in a smooth motion. Its viscosity is significantly affected by temperature changes. It is proportional to temperature. As the temperature increases, viscosity increases, and with the decrease in temperature, the viscosity of the motor oil starts to decrease.
The motor oil that works efficiently at extremely hot temperatures and no change comes in its flow when the temperature is very cold is the one compatible with your car. 5w30 is used very often as it flows better despite cold or hot temperatures.
0w20 vs 5w30
Motor oils are lubricants that are added to the vehicle’s engine to enhance mobility. An increase in mobility will drastically reduce the wear and tear of engine parts by lowering the friction when these parts rugged across each other.
It also dissipates the heat produce in the engine due to the combustion of fuel. This protects the engine from overheating thus increasing the life of the engine.
Since motor oil serves many purposes that are mandatory to your vehicle, therefore, make sure that you are adding the correct motor oil in the engine of your car to eliminate the chances of mishap in the future.
Looking for a Good 5w30 oil I recommend Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic SAE 5W-30 (Check the Current Price on Amazon)
5W30 motor oil
For petrol and diesel engine, in small sedans and light cars, 5w30 is commonly used. It is fully capable to serve effectively due to its incredible quality of flowing easily with the viscosity grade ranging from 5 to 30.
As the name of the motor oil suggests that it is made to use in winters and the lower viscosity level it offers is 5 while the highest being 30
0w20 motor oil
This oil has a low viscosity which helps it flow smoothly through the engine. This oil is getting famous in the market because of the extraordinary performance it provides.
As the name indicates, 0w20 motor oil has a viscosity grade of 0 in winters or cold temperatures. Similarly, during hot temperatures, the viscosity of the oil becomes 20.
In winters the oil performs remarkably by flowing through the engine effectively and enhancing the performance of the vehicle. Moreover, this oil reduces the waste from the engine hence saving the environment.
Comparing 5w30 with 0w20
Motor oil comes at different prices and for different brands. Not every motor oil is compatible with every vehicle. The motor oil that serves best regardless of the temperature and other factors are 5w30 and 0w20. To compare them we will consider where can both these oils be used?
Which brands are well-matched with these motor oils? And what makes them unique? While selecting the motor oil, make sure that you are going for the one that perfectly matches your vehicle’s engine as it is going to affect the life, efficiency, and speed of your vehicle.
A wrong selection can degrade your vehicle. Using 0w20 oil in winters is better than using 5w30 because the lower the viscosity grade of the motor oil the thinner it is. This clearly shows that 0w20 will perform better in engines than 5w30 during winters.
Likewise, when you use 5w30 in summers it will give you a viscosity of 30 whereas 0w20 is offering a viscosity level of 20, therefore, preferring 0w20 is a wise choice. But the outstanding performance of 5w30 allows you to put it instead of 0w20.
That is why Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic SAE 5W-30 gets so many recommendations and great customer reviews on Amazon (Click here to read real user reviews)
When is the correct time to use 5w30?
While putting the oil in your vehicle, make sure that it suits your vehicle. For that purpose, consider your owner’s manual.
Although, 5w30 is a multi-grade motor oil that can be used in between the temperature range 35 ºC to -30 ºC. This attribute makes the motor oil an ideal option if you have high seasonal variation in your area. 5w30 is the motor oil that is specifically manufactured for cold temperatures.
Usually, the oils that are made to use in cold temperatures do not support high temperatures. But 5w30 performs incredibly well when uses in hot temperatures too. Where other oils have a viscosity level of 10 or 15, 5w30 serves your engine with its excellent viscosity grade of 30.
This makes it capable to protect your engine and its components. The oil is also helpful when you are traveling long distances. It improves fuel efficiency by reducing fuel consumption providing you greater mileage.
Conclusion on Using 5w30 Instead of 0w20
There are other factors apart from viscosity grade to consider when you are selecting motor oil. Which include cost, climate, vehicle’s age, and condition of the engine.
These days every motor oil is multigrade motor oil. But among them, 0w20 and 5w30 are famous due to their top-notch performances. If you add 5w30 to your vehicle instead of 0w20, the performance of your vehicle will not affect much. Your vehicle will continue to run smoothly and providing you comfortable rides.
Robert Anderson is a world class motorhead who rebuilt his first carb at age 10, his first engine at age 15, and completed his first full hotrod build when he was just 18! Previously, he has ran a part warehouse, delivered pizzas, and managed the service department for a $20 million/year revenue dealership. Robert knows cars like few others and he is passionate about sharing his knowledge.
