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The lower the W number, the better the oil will perform in colder temperatures. Typically, a 5W oil is recommended for winter use, but synthetic oils can be formulated to flow even more easily when cold. This way, they are able to pass tests that meet the 0W rating.
Is 5W-30 or 10w30 better for winter?
10w30, the thinner 5w30 will circulate quicker, and flow through bearing tolerances better during an engine startup in the winter or colder climates. The “w” behind the five and the 10 indicates that those are the viscosities in colder or winter temperatures.
Is lighter weight oil better for the winter?
Since lower-viscosity oils flow more readily, they provide better cold-weather startup protection compared to higher-viscosity oils. Thus it’s beneficial to switch to a lighter viscosity motor oil in winter if you can.
Should you use heavier weight oil in winter?
When the weather turns cold, thicker oil has a harder time flowing through your vehicle’s engine and protecting all the critical parts with lubrication. So, a 5W-30 or 0-W30 will give better protection in winter weather than, say, a 10W-40 or a 20W-50, while still providing solid high-temperature protection.
Is 10W40 good for winter?
Is 10W40 good for winter? Generally, the answer to this is yes, since it is a low-temperature oil grade.
Is 10w30 OK for winter?
A 10W flows well in cold weather, to protect the engine at start up, but it’s is too thin for use in the summer. A 30 grade oil, thick enough to protect in the heat, was recommended for summer use. A 10W-30 had the winter cold start flow properties of a 10W and the summer, high-temperature thickness of a 30 grade.
What happens if I use 5w30 oil instead of 10w30?
Most oils will mix perfectly, provided they have a similar synthetic. Therefore, there is no problem in mixing 10w30 and 5w30 since one will be topping up. Mixing the viscosity of oils will not have any effect on the engine. 5w30 and 10w30 engine oils have close viscosity, and thus there is no harm in mixing them.
Can you use 5W30 in winter?
A multi-viscosity 5W30 oil flows quicker in cold weather and is recommended for year-round protection, and a synthetic 5W30 multi-viscosity will provide the best protection you can get in both extremely cold weather and extremely hot engine temperatures.
Is thick oil bad for winter?
Oil that’s too thick will keep your engine from starting in cold weather because the thick, gooey oil challenges your battery and starter motor to spin the engine fast enough for it to fire. So, check your owner’s manual and choose oil viscosity accordingly.
Is 5W 20 OK for winter?
5W20 motor oil is another low-temperature grade typically recommended for winter use, with a 10W-30 as an alternative for higher temperatures. This oil type is common because it provides the best fuel economy, saves fuel consumption, and has fewer exhaust emissions.
When should I use heavier weight oil?
The slightly thicker oil film from the heavier base weight oil – 10W – can help protect worn engine bearings as well. As long as you’re not hearing knocking or serious mechanical noises from the engine, the heavier oil should buy you many more miles of service from your vehicle.
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 I use 5W30 instead of 5w20?
If you mix 5w30 and 5w20, the oils will mix, but they will not blend into a single oil. So, they will stay separate and flow. Because the two oils have the same viscosity in freezing temperatures, they would both flow uniformly to the top ends.
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.
Can I use 0W40 instead of 10W40?
So, which engine oil is objectively better, 0W40 vs 10W40? A thinner oil like 0W40 is better because it can reach engine components faster even in winter. 10W40 is better in the case of oil consumption. However, you should always use the recommended oil from your car manual at all times.
Can I use 10W30 instead of 15W40?
Because 10W-30 is thinner than 15W-40 oil, its film strength can be weaker and it can be more prone to oxidation. High quality 10W-30 oils can perform as well, and better than industry-standard 15W-40 oils.
Can I use 10W50 instead of 10W30?
Keeping it simple: If your 10W-30 oil is the recommended oil viscosity: Using 10W-50 will pump a little slower at normal startup temperatures, giving a slight bit more wear.
What is 30 weight oil used for?
Use. SAE 30 oil is typically used for smaller air-cooled engines, like the ones in small tractors, lawnmowers, and chain saws. Most motor oils today are multi-grade oils that will perform well in all seasons.
Can I put 10W40 instead of 5W30?
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.
