Can too thick oil damage engine?

Not only that, but the engine will waste energy pumping the thicker oil, reducing fuel economy. Since thicker oil doesn't transfer heat as well as thinner oil, operating temperatures will increase, possibly leading to accelerated chemical break down (called “oxidation“) and harmful sludge and deposits.
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What happens if your engine oil is too thick?

If the oil is too thick (aka, the viscosity is high), your car may not start in cold temperatures (cold weather places more strain on a vehicle in any case). When this happens, the thick liquid can't properly lubricate every part, and it creates enough resistance to impair the most important function–ignition.
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Will thicker oil damage the engine?

If the engine oil is too thick, it can lead to higher fuel consumption. A thicker engine oil increases the resistance between moving pistons. This can severely degrade your engine's performance and fuel economy of your car. Higher resistance means your car will burn more fuel to get the engine running.
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Will 10w40 hurt 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.
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Can the wrong oil damage your engine?

Using the wrong oil can lead to reduced lubrication and shorter engine life. If the manual says to use synthetic oil, do so. Contrary to what some believe, adding synthetic oil to regular oil won't harm the engine, but there's also no benefit in doing so.
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Thin or Thick engine oil isn't safe!?



Is Thicker oil better for older engines?

A: Yes. This is a practical method to improve oil pressure in an older, high-mileage engine. The slightly thicker oil film from the heavier base weight oil - 10W - can help protect worn engine bearings as well.
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What happens if I put 10w30 instead of 5w30?

Can I Mix 10w30 and 5w30? 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.
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What happens if you put 10W40 instead of 10W30?

Between a 10W-30 and 10W-40, 10W30 motor oil would run smoother in colder climates while a 10W40 would be more effective in preventing engine wear and tear in warmer temperatures.
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When should I use thicker oil?

There are some circumstances where drivers have used thicker oil in an engine. If, for instance, clearances between engine components have increased, gotten sloppy, a thicker oil can help to fill the void. Within reason, thicker oil maintains a better lubricant film between moving parts.
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Will 20w50 oil harm my engine?

Most modern car engines are not well suited for heavier oil like 20W-50, and it can damage your car's catalytic converters. 20W-50 oil does not have a reliable low temperature viscosity grade. It won't perform well in cold weather and will deliver below-average cold starts.
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What happens if I put 5w40 instead of 5w30?

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.
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Is thinner or thicker oil better?

Engine oil viscosity

Thin oils reduce friction in engines and help engines start quickly during cold weather. Thick oils are better at maintaining film strength and oil pressure at high temperatures and loads.
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How much overfill oil is OK?

If the oil level is a little above the full mark, that shouldn't cause problems. If it's overfilled by half a quart or more, or foam shows on the dipstick, the best fix is to have the oil drained and refilled to the proper level.
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Is it bad to overfill oil?

It can actually cause significant damage to the engine components and even cause your engine to seize up. If you think you may have an oil overfill, in order to fix it, first you need to confirm that it is indeed overfilled, then begin to drain the excess oil from your oil pan.
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Is 5w30 thicker than 10w30?

So both the oils 5W–30 and 10W–30 have exactly the same viscosity (SAE 30) when your engine is running, and will perform in the same way. However, the 10W–30 oil will be thicker (higher viscosity) than the 5W–30 when it is cool.
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Can thicker oil cause low oil pressure?

Viscosity that is too high may produce greater resistance from the oil being pumped, leading to a lack of lubrication in the system and consequently lower pressure.
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Will synthetic oil raise oil pressure?

The synthetic oil cleans the dirt accumulated in an old engine, which increases the oil flow, decreases the pressure and increases the amount of oil that reaches the combustion chamber, increasing the consumption of lubricant.
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Is higher or lower oil pressure better?

The ideal oil pressure varies depending on the car brand and model, but generally, the ideal oil pressure is between 25-65 PSI.
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Is 10W-40 too thick?

A low viscosity oil will move quicker through the engine to keep it lubricated and cool. Additionally, if your engine has a lower running temperature, 10W-40 motor oil might be too thick. Its higher viscosity at running temperature can reduce engine effectiveness as it'll need more energy to keep the engine operating.
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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. Trucks.
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Is 10W40 better than 5w30?

The 5w30 oil will flow better at low temperatures than the 10w40 oil. This means that the 5w30 oil will protect the engine better at low temperatures, usually when the engine is just starting or during weather conditions such as winter.
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Will it hurt to put 10w30 in a 5w20 engine?

Notwithstanding the recommendations of the car manufacturer, mixing 10w30 and 5w20 will not cause any sort of harm to the engine. However, a few drivers claim that it is safer to combine two multi-grade or straight weight oils, rather than mixing multi-grade with straight weight oils.
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Is 10w30 better 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.
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What is the best oil to use in a high mileage car?

Best Synthetic High Mileage Oil: Mobil 1 High Mileage Full Synthetic. Best Synthetic Blend: Valvoline High Mileage With MaxLife Technology. Best Conventional High Mileage Oil: Pennzoil High Mileage. Best Value: Castrol Edge High Mileage.
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