Should I use thicker oil in an older 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.

Is thicker motor oil better for older engines?

Older engines use more oil, but it gives them a better fuel economy. Older engines with more than 75,000 miles on them require a thicker oil that will lubricate their critical engine parts and prevent oil leaks, sludge, and deposits from forming.

Will thicker oil damage my engine?

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 oil is best for old engines?

Is 10w40 better for older engines?

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. Viscous 10w40 is more viscous than viscous 10w30. Older engines are able to handle higher temperatures and wear and tear more efficiently with thicker oil.

Thicker Oil For Older Engines? Myth Busted!

Is it OK to use 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.

What happens if you put 10W40 instead of 10W30?

Between a 10W-30 and 10W-40, 10W30 motor oil would run smoother in colder climates while a 10W40 would be more effective in preventing engine wear and tear in warmer temperatures.

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 OK for older engines?

It protects better, performs better, and lasts longer, and it's no longer made with a chemical compound that could hurt older vehicles.

When should I use 20w50 oil?

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. This is because 20W-50 is a thicker oil, and the added resistance can cause further engine wear and damage to both newer and older vehicles.

How do you know if you need thicker oil?

#1 – Hard to Start in Cold Weather

If the cold viscosity of your oil is too high (the oil is too thick), then you may not be able to start your car in very cold temperatures. In this case, the oil is too thick to properly lubricate all moving parts and this causes excess resistance during car starts.

Can you use 5w30 on an old engine?

The 5w30 engine oil is suitable for gasoline engines, light-duty petrol engines, and diesel engines that run on light-duty fuel. Oil provides a food flow in low temperatures, so it is the ideal choice for cold climates where there is little or no heat.

What happens if you put 10w30 instead of 5w30?

Can I Mix 10w30 and 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.

Is 20w50 better than 10w40?

The motor oil will behave differently in hot weather if the temperature is cold rather than high temperature. At low temperatures, the motor oil will thicken resulting in improper lubrication. Therefore the 20w50 viscosity is made for high-temperature situations and the 10w40 is for cold temperature situations.

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.

When should you not use synthetic oil?

Better For Older Engines

This being said, however, it is still not recommended to use synthetic oil in engines that have experienced significant actions – specifically, those that have reached around 75,000 miles on the odometer.

What is best oil for high mileage cars?

What are the disadvantages of synthetic oil?

A few disadvantages of synthetic oil to be aware of include: Probably the most glaring downside of synthetic oil is the cost. The price of synthetic oil is around two to four times the price of conventional oil. Synthetics may be more prone to additives precipitation during cold storage conditions.

Is 5W30 good for high mileage engine?

Furthermore, high-mileage 5W-30 motor oil is specially formulated for late model vehicles or newer vehicles with over 75,000 miles/120,000 kilometers. High mileage motor oil, with its unique additives and formulation, helps to reduce oil burn-off, and helps prevent oil leaks that may occur in older engines.

What happens if I put 5W30 instead of 5W20?

While both 5W20 and 5W30 motor oils are suitable for high mileage engines, the best viscosity type for your vehicle depends on how the manufacturer designed the engine. Using 5W30 when it is advised that you use 5W20 can result in your vehicle not getting good fuel economy.

Is 10W-40 too thick?

A low viscosity oil will move quicker through the engine to keep it lubricated and cool. Additionally, if your engine has a lower running temperature, 10W-40 motor oil might be too thick. Its higher viscosity at running temperature can reduce engine effectiveness as it'll need more energy to keep the engine operating.

Is there a big difference between 10w30 and 10w40?

The difference between 10W-30 and a 10W-40 is the high temperature viscosity. Obviously, a 10W-40 is thicker than a 10W-30 at high temperature.

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.

What happens if I put 10w40 instead of 5w20?

Lose a little gas. mileage and lubrication is not as good plus it puts more strain on the oil pump. Never go thicker than a 5w30 and that would be more for an older higher mileage engine in warmer climates. So go change it back to 5w20.