Should I use thicker oil in a high mileage engine?

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 weight oil is best for high mileage?

Is higher viscosity oil better for high mileage?

The clearances between the crankshaft journals and main bearings are tighter, for one. This is purposely done to allow modern engines to use lower-viscosity motor oil, like 0W-20 and even 0W-16. Lower-viscosity oils reduce internal friction since they flow more easily than higher-viscosity oils, improving fuel economy.

Will thicker oil damage my engine?

If you use too thick of a motor oil for the conditions, your fuel mileage will likely suffer. This is because the thicker oil increases resistance on moving parts such as pistons. While your engine will be protected, it will be at the expense of more frequent trips to the gas station.

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.

Pat's Perspectives - Thicker Oil (#2)

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.

Should you use higher viscosity oil in older engines?

It's not good for your engine to use thicker oil. Not when “thicker” means higher viscosity than the manufacturer recommends. There are specific tolerances in your engine – spaces between the moving parts that make up the engine.

Is 20w50 good for high mileage?

Is 20W-50 Oil Good For High Mileage? 20W-50 is only used for certain older vehicles or worn engines that require the extra cushioning of a high viscosity oil. Other than that, it really isn't a high mileage oil.

Is 5w30 good for high mileage?

Amazon Basics Full Synthetic is the best 5w30 oil for high mileage vehicles. This oil should only be used on vehicles exceeding 75,000 miles. This motor oil is formulated for longer drain intervals. It helps in preventing a build-up on drain intervals and preventing rust and corrosion.

What oil should I use for 150000 miles?

Valvoline High Mileage 150K with MaxLife Plus Technology Motor Oil offers high-mileage engines better protection against the four major causes of engine breakdown – wear, friction, heat, and deposits.

What oil should I use for 100k miles?

The 10w30 and 10w40 oil options are both acceptable for your car, but if you have a high mileage car, you should use the 10w40 oil. Older engines are able to handle higher temperatures and wear and tear more efficiently with thicker oil. Your engine will last longer if you use thicker oil.

What oil is best for old engines?

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.

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 synthetic oil recommended for high mileage vehicles?

A full synthetic oil is not suitable for high mileage vehicles or older ones. Older vehicles with higher mileage will benefit from synthetic oils, just as they will from new engines that are designed for new vehicles.

What happens if I use 20w50 instead of 10w40?

Nothing much will happen. You engine will putter as happily as ever. With those engines (I assume single cylinder motorcycle) you must be careful with the oil level, that's all; all of them burn some. Must engine oil be changed after a certain time, even if it hasn't reached the recommended mileage?

When should you use 20w50 oil?

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.

Which is better 10w30 or 20w50?

It really comes down to personal preference. As your engine does put out significant horsepower, we would lean toward using 20W-50. If your engine sees very light duty or is built exceptionally tight, 10W-30 would be fine. But again, if you twisted our arm, we would give 20W-50 the nod for the thicker viscosity.

Is 5w30 oil thicker than 10w30?

The number 30 indicates the thickness of the oil when it reaches operating temperatures. Both the oils have similar viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius but 5w30 grade oil will thicken less than 10w30 grade oil in cold climate.

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.

Is it OK to put 10w40 in a 10W30?

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.

What happens if you 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.

Is 5w 20 or 5w 30 better for high mileage?

As you have likely now concluded, 5W20 is better suited for colder temperatures. If you need motor oil for summertime performance, 5W30 is going to be the better bet. However, you should only switch to this oil type of your car manufacturer or personal mechanic recommend doing so.

Is 5w30 or 10w30 better for high mileage?

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 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.