Is it bad to change oil viscosity?

Keep in mind that a change in viscosity will have an impact on the lubricating film thickness. Changing to a higher viscosity or too thick of an oil can result in internal oil shearing, which is the process of oils pushing past each other causing increased heat and reduced operating efficiency.

Should I change my oil viscosity?

So long as you do it right, it is perfectly fine to change oil type and improve your engine's protection against friction and overheating. Many people also change oil viscosity to a lower weight for cold wintertime travels and hot summertime heat.

How bad is it to put thicker oil than recommended?

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.

What happens if you put the wrong oil viscosity in your 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.

Is it bad to switch oil weights?

It is fine to switch between different oil weights, in fact, some people change the weight of oil they use in the summer and winter. It is essential that you stay within the factory recommended specifications in your owner's manual, and heed the advice of professional technicians.

The importance of choosing the right engine oil quality and viscosity for your car or truck - VOTD

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.

Will thinner oils damage your engine?

Just like using an oil with too high a viscosity may lead to problems in Brad's engine, using a thinner oil can have the same result. Oil that's too thin can fail to develop a consistent lubricating film, inviting metal-to-metal contact that causes wear. Extreme stress and heat add to the challenge.

Can I use 0w40 instead of 5w20?

Re: Can I use 0W-40 high performance synthetic oil

The 0 part means its got the cold-weather viscosity of any 0 weight oil, and will pour even thinner than 5W20 when cold. That's good.

What if I use 10w30 instead of 5w30?

Both 5w30 and 10w30 engine oils have a similar SAE rating, meaning that they will perform the same at high or operating temperatures. The digits 30 indicates the viscosity of the oils when in high temperatures. 10w30, however, will thicken more when in a cold climate. 5w30 is much suitable during the cold season.

What if I use 5w30 instead of 5w20?

If you use 5w30 oil instead of 5w20 when it is not recommended or approved by your owner's manual, it can void your car's powertrain warranty, reduce engine efficiency, and possibly even damage your engine in the long run. Hopefully, this helps!

Can I put 10w30 instead of 5w20?

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.

Is 5w30 better for older 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.

Can I use 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.

Is higher viscosity oil better?

Thin, low viscosity oils flow easier to protect engine parts at cold temperature. Thick, high viscosity oils are typically better at maintaining film strength to protect engines at high temperatures.

Is Thicker oil better for high mileage cars?

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.

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.

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.

Which oil is heavier 5W or 10W?

A 10W oil thickens more than a 5W. The other number indicates the oil's resistance to thinning at high temperatures.

Can you put 10W40 in a 10w30 engine?

Mixing 10W30 with 10W40

Some say that mixing them is fine as long as you don't live in freezing weather. Even if you put together synthetic and conventional blends of these motor oils, they show no harm to your vehicle. However, this is true only if you mix in a quart of the other type to your usual engine oil.

Can I use 0W-40 in the summer?

0w40 is multi-grade oil that works well in winter conditions and moderate summer heat.

What cars use 0W-40?

0W-40 motor oil. 0W-40 oils are recommended by automakers for many types of European vehicles, including Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen. The viscosity is gaining popularity with American automakers for high performance engines in both cars and pickup trucks.

Why do European cars use thicker oil?

Longer drain intervals common with European cars require an oil capable of protecting against wear, deposits and sludge for the duration, which requires a more robust oil.

Why do newer cars use thinner oil?

The auto manufacturers were afraid that modern injection systems might allow the engine to start at temperatures lower than the oil could flow into the oil pump. Consequently, the new rules had a thinning effect on oil. The auto manufacturers now recommend thinner oils for their vehicles than in the past.

Are thinner oils 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.

Can I put 0w20 instead of 5w30?

Can I use a 0W-20 in my car that recommends 5W-30? No, if your owner's manual calls for a thicker oil, you should not use a thinner SAE grade nor use a thicker oil for a recommended thinner oil vis-grade. Using the proper viscosity motor oil will help protect and maintain the performance of your vehicle's engine.