Is Thicker oil better in winter?

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.

Should you run thicker oil in the winter?

The “W” in that number stands for “Winter”, and the number before it (the “10”, in this case) is the viscosity or thickness. When the cold weather comes, you want a lower number, meaning thinner oil, which will smoothly coat the insides of your engine even in the most frigid weather.

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 weight oil is better for winter?

The lower the W number, the better the oil will perform in colder temperatures. Typically, a 5W oil is recommended for winter use, but synthetic oils can be formulated to flow even more easily when cold. This way, they are able to pass tests that meet the 0W rating.

Is 10W40 good for winter?

Is 10W40 good for winter? Generally, the answer to this is yes, since it is a low-temperature oil grade.

Pat's Perspectives - Thicker Oil (#2)

Will thicker oil damage my engine?

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.

Should older cars use 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 happens if 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.

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.

Which is better for winter 5W30 or 10W30?

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.

Does synthetic oil get thicker in cold weather?

Synthetic oil doesn't contain any wax, so it doesn't thicken up as much as conventional oil in the cold. In fact, synthetic oil doesn't contain any of the contaminants found in conventional oil, so it performs more consistently, even in extreme temperatures.

Does cold weather affect oil level?

To keep your car in tip-top shape during winter, the best cold 'remedy' for your vehicle is an oil change. Cold temperatures can cause your oil to flow slowly or not at all – which puts a lot of stress on your engine.

Is 5w40 good for winter?

5w40 and 5w30 motor oils have winter viscosity grades of five, meaning they are effective down to temperatures of -30°C, and are more viscous at very low temperatures, compared to, say, 10w40 oils.

Is Thicker oil better in the 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 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.

When should I use 10w40 oil?

So, if you drive in a warm climate — especially more than 32°C (90°F) — or have an engine that runs hotter than others, 10W-40 oil viscosity is a good option. This higher viscosity oil is designed for hotter temperatures and can handle the added heat stress from the environment.

What oil is best for high mileage cars?

What happens if you 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 digit 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.

Which oil is best for old engines?

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.

Is 5w30 thicker than 10w40?

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.

Does 10W40 hurt 10W30 engine?

If you were to put 10W40 in an engine designed for 10W30, the “thicker” oil would lead to friction in the engine and an increased load on the oil pump. The car would have to do more work to get the oil around the engine block.

Is it better to check oil 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. (With some cars, the automaker recommends that the oil be checked after the engine has been warmed up.)