Is it better to run thicker oil in hot weather?

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.
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Is Thicker oil better for hot weather?

Thicker oil in the winter would clog the pumps and fail to lubricate them properly. The best motor oil for hot weather is a thicker grade oil to combat the thinning effects of the heat. In the summer, you need a motor oil that will maintain just the right amount of thickness.
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Is 5W30 or 10W30 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.
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Is higher viscosity oil better for hot weather?

In general, warm weather calls for thicker oils since they start at a higher viscosity and don't become too thin when the engine heats up further.
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What oil should you use in hot weather?

Go Synthetic for Stress

Synthetic oil has been refined to the point where it contains fewer impurities than standard engine oil, and it also makes use of unique detergents and additives that can better protect against the stress of high RPMs on a hot summer's day.
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The importance of choosing the right engine oil quality and viscosity for your car or truck - VOTD



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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Should I use 10W40 in summer?

Either 10W30 or 10W40 for summer use is fine; however, 10W-40 motor oil will better protect your engine.
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Is 5W30 or 5w40 better for summer?

5w30 can be used by different type of vehicles and in different range of temperatures, but is ideal for colder temperatures. 5w40 is often used in higher mileage engine sand performs better in warmer temperatures.
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Is 5w20 or 5W30 better for hot weather?

5w30 is renowned as the best engine oil at warmer temperatures when compared with the 5w20. It is the oil type characterized by higher viscosity – that is, its thickness. It experiences lots of friction and more drag when flowing.
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What temperature is 10w40 oil good for?

However, 10W-40 engine oil is more viscous in hotter climates and has a better temperature spectrum. Here's the recommended ambient temperature range for each oil grade, in general: SAE 10W-30 motor oil: -25°C (-13°F) to 30°C (86°F) SAE 10W-40 motor oil: -25°C (-13°F) to 40°C (104°F)
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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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Is 20w50 good for hot weather?

' Compared to single grade oils, multigrade oils like 20W-50 offer a better operating temperature range. SAE 20W-50 is a thicker oil with high viscosity at hot temperatures and is highly resistant to oil thinning.
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Is 15w40 good for hot weather?

In tropical weather, most OEMs still recommend multi-grade products, such as SAE 15W-40, because the lubricant flows faster through the engine than a pure SAE 40 even at higher ambient temperatures.
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Which motor oil is best 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.
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Can I use 5w20 oil in summer?

In fact, a 5W-20 synthetic oil may perform even better in a warmer temperature than 5W-30 conventional oil. This is because synthetic motor oil is made by breaking down and rebuilding hydrocarbon atoms for a more stable operating temperature range.
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Is 5w30 good for hot climate?

When should I use 5w30 oil? You should always use the oil recommended by your vehicle's manufacturer. 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.
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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.
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What happens if you 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 10w40 thicker than 5w30?

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. At high temperatures, the 5w30 oil is thinner than that of 10w40 since 30 is lower than 40.
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Is it safe to run thicker oil in older engines?

It's best to use the oil viscosity recommended in the owner's manual, but using a slightly thinner or thicker oil (lighter or heavier viscosity) generally poses no long-term harm.
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Is it OK to put 10w40 in a 10w30?

The short answer is yes. Because both oils are formulated to give the same performance, it will be safe for you to use either oil. Some differences between the two oils include viscosity and base oil.
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Do high-mileage cars need thicker oil?

High-mileage oils have ingredients to take care of older engines, like conditioners, seal swells, antioxidants, detergents and wear or friction additives. Typically they use a viscosity modifier that is durable and won't lose viscosity very easily. These oils need to stay thicker longer to protect engine parts.
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When should I use 20W-50?

A SAE 20W-50 motor oil is typically used in older vehicles or in particularly warm climates. Castrol GTX 20W-50 has been specially formulated to help extend the life of your engine by keeping it free from sludge, even when operating in extremely high temperatures.
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Which is better 10w50 or 20w50?

10w50 is thinner than 20w50 at low temp. So it will flow between every small parts and gives better cold start as compared to 20w50. First number lower than recommended and second number higher than recommended is good. You can go for 10w50.
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