Should you put 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.

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.

Should you use thicker oil 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.

What oil is best for old engines?

Is thicker engine oil better?

Thicker Oil May Not Flow Quickly Enough

Its lower viscosity allows it to flow faster and fill the tiny clearances between parts, leading to a durable, consistent lubricating film. Not only that, but the engine will waste energy pumping the thicker oil, reducing fuel economy.

Thicker Oil For Older Engines? Myth Busted!

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.

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.

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.

Should you use synthetic oil in older engines?

Myth: Full synthetic oil is not good for high mileage cars or older vehicles. The myth is rooted in the idea that synthetic oil is “slipperier”—lower in viscosity, or not as compatible with seals and will therefore leak or leak more in places conventional oil might not. Again, completely untrue.

Does motor oil get thinner with age?

Does Old Engine Oil Get Thinner? Nope – another way around!! As motor oil gets heated, it becomes thinner, but to prevent it from becoming too thin at higher temperatures, additives (viscosity modifier) are added to prevent it from becoming too thick.

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 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 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.

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.

Can I use 10w40 instead of 10w30?

They are both available in pure conventional form or as high-quality synthetic grades. Either 10W30 or 10W40 for summer use is fine; however, 10W-40 motor oil will better protect your engine.

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.

What is best oil for high mileage cars?

Is mineral oil better for older engines?

The refining process removes many of the contaminants, unwanted hydrocarbons and impurities. As we mentioned before, this is how engine oils were produced since the early years of automobiles. That's why mineral oils are better suited to older models of vehicles that were not made with modern technology in mind.

Why can't you go back to regular oil after synthetic?

Synthetic Motor Oil Myths

If there is a spot where oil could leak out in your engine, then synthetic oil is more likely to leak than conventional. However, synthetic oil would not cause the leak. You can't switch back to conventional oil: Once you switch to synthetic, you are not bound to it forever.

Can I mix synthetic and high mileage oil?

Yes. It won't harm your engine to mix, for example, Quaker State^® motor oil with Pennzoil, as long as the oil you use is the weight (or viscosity) recommended in your vehicle owner's manual.

Should I use 5w30 or 10w40?

The 5w30 oil will flow better at low temperatures than the 10w40 oil. 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.

Can I put 10w40 instead of 5W20?

A registered user. The Ranger said that you can mix 10W & 30W to get 20W, or you can mix 5W20 & 10W40, but you don't want to mix 10W & 30W. The answer is yes, but not straight weights or multigrades.