What weight oil is thickest?

You might be familiar with terms such as “30-weight” or “10W-30” oil. Those numbers refer to the grade. The higher the number, the thicker the oil. The lower the number, the thinner.

Is 20W50 thicker than 10W30?

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.

Which oil is thicker 10/40 or 15 40?

A 10W40 oil will be thicker in the cold than 15W40 oil, but they will have the same viscosities at higher temperatures. The winter viscosity number dictates cold-start performance. A lower number indicates that the cold oil will be thinner, hence applying less static friction on the engine, and less drag.

Which is thicker 10W30 or 40?

10W40 oil has a higher viscosity, retaining more thickness than 10W30 as the temperature rises. In that case, 10W-40 motor oil would technically provide better protection against engine wear contact in higher temperatures.

Which is thicker 30 or 40 weight oil?

Obviously, a 10W-40 is thicker than a 10W-30 at high temperature. Armed with knowledge of viscosity grades, how can we put it to good use? Remember that using oil with a viscosity that is too high can result in excessive oil temperature and increased drag.

Will Thinner Oils Damage Your Engine?

Is 20w50 thicker than 10w40?

10w40 oil is a popular all-purpose oil designed in many different engines. 20w50 (also known as 10w30) is another popular all-purpose oil used in engines. The differences between 10w40 and 20w50 are small, but they have something in common: They are thicker than regular 20w50 oil.

Is 30W thicker than 15w40?

This is not very relevant when it comes to lawn mowers since you probably won't be mowing in freezing temperatures, but it is worth noting that SAE 30 will be thicker than 15w40 when cold. This is because 15w40 is a multi-grade oil with additives that lower its viscosity when cooled.

What happens if I 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 15w40 thicker than 10W30?

While the viscosity of a heavy duty engine oil accounts for its contribution to fuel economy, it is the composition of the base oil and additives that protect your engine from wear, soot and acid. Since 10W-30 is thinner than 15W-40, its film strength can be weaker and it can be more prone to oxidation.

Is 20W 50 thick oil?

SAE 20W-50 is a thicker oil with high viscosity at hot temperatures and is highly resistant to oil thinning. Despite being one of the less popular oil viscosity grades, it's still recommended for a lot of automobile vehicles.

What happens if you put 15w40 instead of 10W40?

As you can see the most conclusive difference between 10w40 and 15w40 engine oils is the low temperature of the environment in which it can be used, this difference being very small between the two, theoretically 5° С or 9° F, but this temperature difference is enough for the engine to suffer serious damage if a wrong ...

Which is better 10W40 or 10W50?

At 100ºC, the 10W50 has a viscosity of 18.1cS, the 10W40 is at 13.1cS. What this means is, at low temperature, they perform similarly, but at operating temperature, the 10W50 has better protection (higher film strength) than the 10W40.

Is 15w50 thicker than 10W40?

Because it is thinner, the 10W40 flows well at high temperatures leaving no residue in the engine. The 15W-50 engine oil is better for use during Winter than the 10W-40. 10W -40 is denser or thicker than what most engine manufacturers recommend. 15W, on the other hand, increases wear fuel consumption and reduces power.

Can I use 20W50 instead of 5w30?

Use in Cars

A 5W-30 oil is commonly used in passenger cars for normal use throughout the year. A 20W-50 oil will not protect a car as well in a cold winter and its greater viscosity will increase drag and friction in a passenger vehicle.

Can thick oil damage 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.

What is the thickest grade of motor oil?

Importance of a Viscosity Scale

In order to have a standard way to measure the viscosity of engine oil, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) developed a viscosity scale. The scale ranges from 0W, which is the thinnest type of oil, to a rating of 60, which is the thickest oil.

Can I use 15W50 instead of 10W30?

It depends on the climb in the region you drive through. In a rather cold region I'd use the 10W30. In a warmer or even milder one, I'd use the 15W50. Which is wider in the usage range.

What's the difference between 15W 30 and 15w40 oil?

In flat conditions, a 15W-40 oil performed nearly 0.8 percent worse than the base 15W-30. The 10W-30 performed nearly 0.2 percent better than the 15W-30. That's close to a 1 percent difference between the 15W-40 and the 10W-30.

Can you run 15w40 instead of 10W30?

What Happens If You Use 15w40 Instead Of 10w30? Wear protection should not be sacrificed for fuel economy. The thinness of 10W-30 makes it less strong and more prone to oxidation than 15W-40. As a result, high quality additives are needed to protect as well as last for as long as 15W-40, which is why 10W-30 is needed.

Is Thicker oil better for older engines?

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.

Which engine oil is thicker?

SAE50 is higher viscosity (thicker) than SAE40, and so on. Straight-weight oils come in a wide range of viscosities. But your car operates (ostensibly) in a wide range of temperatures. When your engine is running at operating temperature, it does not matter too much if it is summer or winter.

Is 5w30 thicker than 10W30?

So both the oils 5W–30 and 10W–30 have exactly the same viscosity (SAE 30) when your engine is running, and will perform in the same way. However, the 10W–30 oil will be thicker (higher viscosity) than the 5W–30 when it is cool.

What does 15W 40 stand for?

The first number 15W is the viscosity of the oil at cold temperature, and the second number 40 is the viscosity at 100 °C. The 15W40 designation means that the oil is a multigrade oil. It has the viscosity of 15W when cold and the viscosity of SAE 40 when hot. This means that one type of oil works in all temperatures.

Can you put SAE 30 in a lawn mower?

SAE 30 is one of the most common oils for lawn mowers. It works best with small engines and performs well in warmer temperatures.

Is 5w30 OK for diesel?

Generally speaking, 5W-30 oil is recommended for petrol and light-duty diesel use. However, 5W-30 can suffice heavy-duty use if utilized in the appropriate climate (colder temperatures). During winters, it can withstand any amount of cold temperature and moderate pressure due to its excellent viscosity.