Can I use 5W 30 instead of 5w20? In general, it is not recommended that you use 5w30 oil (or any other oil weight) in place of 5w20 oil , as the slightest difference in viscosity can potentially damage your engine.
Is there a big difference between 5w20 and 5W30?
5w20 is a champion in colder climates with quicker engine startups because of its low viscosity and less friction in the engine parts. 5w30 is also a champion in hotter climates where a thick oil is needed to withstand the higher temperatures. The engine will inevitably get hotter and thus requires a more viscous oil.
What oil can I use instead of 5w20?
10w30 and 5w20 engine oils have similar SAE ratings, which means that they will perform similarly at operating or high temperatures. The number 30 indicates the viscosity of the oil at high temperatures, as stated before. 10w30 tends to get thicker in cold weather which makes 5w20 better suited for these environments.
Is 5W-30 good for high mileage?
Pennzoil High Mileage SAE 5W-30 Motor Oil is engineered for cars that have accumulated more than 75,000 miles , particularly those that are experiencing oil leaks and oil burn off. Engines with higher mileage tend to experience more wear than new engines.
What happens if you put wrong oil in 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 I use 5W-30 instead of 5W20 High mileage?
While both 5W20 and 5W30 motor oils are suitable for high mileage engines, the best viscosity type for your vehicle depends on how the manufacturer designed the engine. Using 5W30 when it is advised that you use 5W20 can result in your vehicle not getting good fuel economy .
When should I use 5 30 oil?
However, 5w30 oil can function in temperatures as low as -30oC and as high as 35oC , making it an ideal choice if you drive your car in a place with relatively high seasonal temperature variations. 5w30 oil is particularly well suited for cars driven in cold climates.
How long does 5W-30 oil last?
Answer: If your car uses conventional motor oil, such as 5W30 or 10W30, we recommend changing the oil every 3,000 miles or 3 months . If your car uses synthetic oil, we recommend an oil change every 5,000 miles or 6 months. You can push that to 6,000 or 6,500 miles if you almost always drive on the highway.
Is it OK to mix old and new oil?
When you mix new and old oil, the new oil becomes “watered down” with the lack of interfacial tension and strains to do its' job . Be sure to have your oil changed as soon as possible.
Can I use 5w30 oil 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.
Why does my car smoke after oil change?
Once the new oil enters the engine and starts removing soot and varnish deposits from the valves and cylinders , it may lead to using (burning) more oil and smoke emitting from the vehicle.
Is 5W-30 good for summer?
5w30's viscosity range means it can lubricate, seal, and protect an engine's internal components in a range of climate conditions. This ability to function well both in summer and winter brings with it the convenience of not having to change oil weights with the seasons.
What is 5W-30 motor oil used for?
5W-30 oil is primarily a winter viscosity grade motor oil. While it does perform adequately at a higher temperature, its best use is for people who drive in cold temperature regions . Due to its lower viscosity, it's typically recommended for petrol vehicles or a light-duty diesel engine.
Will thicker oil damage my engine?
Using oil that is thicker than recommended may lead to a decrease in fuel economy, a higher load on your engine, and even a shorter life for your engine . Conversely, using thinner, lighter-weight oil than recommended can cause excessive wear and shorter life.
Why can't you go back to regular oil after synthetic?
Myth: Once you switch to synthetic oil, you can never switch back. This is one of the most persistent myths about synthetic oil—and completely untrue. You can switch back and forth at any time. In fact, synthetic blends are simply a mixture of synthetic and conventional oils .
How long can a car go without an oil change?
Cars can generally go 5,000 to 7,500 miles before needing an oil change. Furthermore, if your vehicle uses synthetic oil, you can drive 10,000 or even 15,000 miles between oil changes. Continue reading to learn more about oil changes or skip to scheduling your oil change right here on our website.
Should I check my oil when the engine is hot or cold?
If checking the oil yourself, make sure the car is parked on level ground and, with most cars, the engine is cold , so you don't burn yourself on a hot engine part.
Can you add oil to a cold engine?
You may also opt to add oil when you have a cold engine . You won't risk burning yourself if you're changing the oil rather than just adding oil. However, you'll notice that the thickness of the oil will make it more difficult to drain the oil.
Do you have to drain oil before changing oil?
The oil will warm up to about 100 degrees, which is not hot enough to burn you, but warm enough that it will flow easily. If the vehicle has been driven, open the hood to let air circulate and let the car sit for 20-30 minutes before draining the oil .
Is 5W-30 oil good for winter?
The Bottom Line. 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 5W-30 good for old cars?
5W-20 and 5W30 motor oil are winter viscosity grade oils primarily recommended for older engines and light-duty use. These oils are best utilized in colder temperatures.
What does grey smoke mean?
Blue or Grey Smoke
If the smoke from the exhaust pipe is either grey or bluish-tinged, it generally means that your engine is burning oil inside the combustion chamber . Burning oil could be due to a number of causes, from leaky valve seals to bad piston rings.
Why is my car losing oil but no leak?
Why Is My Car Losing Oil? When a car mysteriously loses oil, there are usually two possible causes: either you've sprung a leak, or your engine is burning it away . Though you may not see any visible signs of leakage, less noticeable parts like a worn seal or leaky rings may be the culprit.
Does synthetic oil smoke less than regular oil?
Synthetic oil generally smokes much less than regular .
Does it really matter what oil I put in my car?
The most important thing is to use oil that's the right thickness, or viscosity, for your car's engine . Oil that's too thick or thin won't provide the necessary protection for your engine, which can result in costly damage.
Which engine oil is best for high temperatures?
Mobil 1 advanced synthetic motor oil provides outstanding high-temperature performance and is proven to protect at engine temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
What motor oil is best for hot weather?
There are a few ways to get your car prepared for summer with synthetic oils . If you're capable of changing your oil, you can find synthetics at auto retailers. Look for containers with codes such as 0W-20, 5W-20, and 5W-30. These correspond to specific synthetic oil mixtures approved for standard vehicles.
Can you put 5W 40 oil in a 5W20 engine?
The quick answer is no you should not use 5w20 when 5w40 is recommended by manufacturer . The thinner oil may not lubricate the internal engine as designed. The turbo also needs synthetic oils to withstand the heat of the turbo.
Can I use OW 20 instead of 5W20?
What is the difference between 10W 30 and 5W-20?
The 5W-20 will remain a little thinner at operating temperature, as indicated by its lower “20” number, while 5W-30 will provide a slightly thicker lubricating film . When looking at 5W-30 vs 10W-30, they both provide the same viscosity at operating temperature, as indicated by their identical “30” ratings.
Is 0W20 better than 5W20?
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.
