Is 10W-30 motor oil thicker than 5W-30?

5W-30 multi grade oil is ideal for private vehicles and light-duty petrol and diesel engines. It also provides a better cold temperature start than 10W-30 oil. On the other hand, the slightly thicker oil,10W-30, provides better lubrication for commercial vehicles and heavy-load engine cars.

Is it OK to use 10w30 instead of 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. 5w30 and 10w30 engine oils have close viscosity, and thus there is no harm in mixing them.

Which is thicker 5W 30 or 10W 30?

10w30 is more viscous than 5w30 and is also the thicker fuel amongst the two. This changes the efficiency of the two oils as well. 5w30 is less viscous and therefore can reach even the difficult parts of the engine for lubrication. But this is not possible with 10w30 since they are thicker.

Do older cars need thicker oil?

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.

What is the difference between 10w30 oil and 5W-30 oil?

Both the oils have similar viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius but 5w30 grade oil will thicken less than 10w30 grade oil in cold climate. This means 5w30 grade oil will flow effectively in low temperatures, whereas 10w30 oil will flow effectively in high temperatures because of the smaller temperature window.

What does 10w30 mean? 'Engine Oil Explained'

Should I use 5W or 10W oil?

There is a small benefit of using a 10W instead of a 5W oil in that the 10W will normally have less viscosity improvers in it. Viscosity improvers help the oil behave "thicker" at higher temperatures, but they do not actually provide lubrication.

When should I use 10W-30 oil?

10W-30 motor oil is recommended for ambient temperatures not exceeding -30°C/-22°F in the winter or 35°C/95°F in the summer. This is a great motor oil to use if you live in Canada or cooler U.S. states. Colder regions would require 5W-20, while hotter regions may call for 10W-40.

Does 10w30 hurt 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.

What's the difference between 10W-30 and 5W 20?

Main Differences Between 5w20 and 10w30

5w20 is thinner at lower temperatures, whereas 10w30 is thicker at lower temperatures. 5w20 is better for cold-weather starting, whereas 10w30 is better for sealing action. Light duty petrol and diesel engines use 5w20, whereas large weight carrying engines need 10w30.

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.

What is the next thicker oil than 5w20?

When it comes to their higher operating temperature performance, 5W30 motor oil performs slightly better than 5W-20 and is a thicker oil than its counterpart. 5W30 motor oil would be more robust and not break down very easily at a higher temperature.

Which motor oil is the thickest?

Importance of a Viscosity Scale

In order to have a standard way to measure the viscosity of engine oil, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) developed a viscosity scale. The scale ranges from 0W, which is the thinnest type of oil, to a rating of 60, which is the thickest oil.

Is 10w30 good for summer?

As a general rule, you'll get the best protection in the summer when you use a slightly thicker grade of oil, such as a 10W30 instead of a 5W30. Engines need a thicker oil in the summer months because of the summer heat and its effects on thinning the oil out.

Is 5w30 or 10w30 better for winter?

Low Temperature Viscosity

Now, the lower the number before 'W' is, the less likely the motor oil will thicken at a low temperature. So when you compare 5W30 vs 10W30, 5W30 oil has a lower number (5), implying the oil thins fairly in an extremely low temperature, making it a better winter engine oil than 10W-30.

Which is thicker 5W or 10W?

A 10W or 5W is the index for how easily the oil flows in winter (hence the W). A 10W oil thickens more than a 5W. The other number indicates the oil's resistance to thinning at high temperatures.

Is 5W or 10W better for summer?

Answer: There is absolutely no need to switch to 10W-30 motor oil in the summer if 5W-30 is an acceptable grade for your engine. While some car manufacturers still advocate the use of 10W-30 (or even 10W-40) as an appropriate engine oil option for summer use, it is completely unnecessary.

What is thicker than 10W30?

The quick answer is 10W40 is a thicker engine oil than 10W30 at higher temperatures. Both have almost the same characteristics, and the only difference is the oil viscosity.

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.

What happens if you use thicker oil?

Thicker Oil May Not Flow Quickly Enough

Its lower viscosity allows it to flow faster and fill the tiny clearances between parts, leading to a durable, consistent lubricating film. Not only that, but the engine will waste energy pumping the thicker oil, reducing fuel economy.

Is 5W or 10W better for winter?

When it comes to 5W-20 or 5W-30 vs 10W-30, the opposite is true: the 5W oils will flow a little better in the cold than a 10W oil for maximum cold-weather protection and easier cold starts.

Is thicker motor oil better?

Thin oils have lower viscosity and pour more easily at low temperatures than thicker oils that have a higher 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.

Does oil get thicker as it warms up?

Your engine needs oil that is thin enough for cold starts, and thick enough when the engine is hot. Since oil gets thinner when heated, and thicker when cooled, most of us use what are called multi-grade, or multi-viscosity oils.

What does 10W 30 stand for?

For Example: 10W30

This means the viscosity is at 10W when the engine is cold and 30 when the engine is hot. Low viscosities are good for cold temperatures (hence the “W” association) because the oil is thinner. Thinner motor oil flows more easily and moves quickly.

Can I use 10W 40 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.

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.