Motor oil serves as a lubricant. A lubricant provides assistance and protection to the components of your engine. They protect the internal combustion engine.
You must use the right motor oil so that your engine will have the right and the proper protection. There are many motor oils in the market, and you might be confused and overwhelmed with the choice. In this case, you need not worry.
You have to stick with the recommended motor oil by your car manufacturer. In this article, we are going to discuss all 0w20 motor oil and 0w40 motor oil. We will be talking about their differences and if you can swap them. Let us start.
Table of Contents
What Is the Difference Between 0w20 and 0w40 Oil?
The first thing to talk about is the difference between 0w20 motor oil and 0w40 motor oil. Then, we will distinguish the difference between 0w20 motor oil and 0w40 motor oil in terms of fuel economy, hot weather, and viscosity.
Viscosity
The 0w20 motor oil and 0w40 motor oil have the same viscosity rating of zero in low temperatures. However, the high temperature or the operating temperature viscosity for 0w20 motor oil is twenty and for the 0w40 motor oil is forty.
Fuel Economy
Both 0w20 motor oil and 0w40 motor oil are good motor oils for improving the engines’ fuel economy. Therefore, many modern engines are demanding to use 0w20 motor oil and 0w40 motor oil.
But you should stick with the motor oil that is recommended for your engine. This is to ensure that your vehicle will get the benefit of improvements in your fuel economy.
Hot Weather
If you reside in a hot or cold climate, both 0w20 motor oil and 0w40 motor oil can be used. However, the 0w20 motor oil and 0w40 motor oil are not prominent low-temperature pumps.
However, they can be good in enhancing the engine life of high operating temperatures. In addition, 0w20 motor oil and 0w40 motor oil also have the potential for start-ups in cold weather.
Price
Both of these motor oils also have different prices. The 0w20 motor oil is more expensive if you compare it to the 0w40 motor oil. If you are thinking of your budget, then the 0w40 motor oil might be your first choice.
Can I Use 0w20 Instead of 0w40?
Yes, you can if you want to and if you have no other choice. However, it does not mean that you should. The rule is always to use the motor oil that your manufacturer recommends.
The engines today have become more complex. The motor oil will lubricate the components of your vehicle by being a thin film in between the metallic parts. This will then avoid the contact of metal by metal.
The forty in the 0w40 motor oil says a specific viscosity in a specific temperature in the upper number. So the higher the upper number is, the thicker the motor oil will be. So if you have a thicker oil, people say that it is better for your engine.
However, it is not necessarily true. Every vehicle has a recommended motor oil suitable for your engine, which should be the one that you should use.
If you use a 0w20 motor oil in your 0w20 or vice versa and the other motor oil is not on the recommended list, there might be a difference in the benefits you can get from your engine. So again, the rule is always to use the recommended motor oil by your manufacturer.
Accidentally Used 0w20 Instead of 0w40: Is It Ok?
It is okay in the sense that there will be no damages or serious problems that can happen in your vehicle. However, if the 0w20 motor oil is not recommended for your engine, you must avoid it. If you accidentally put 0w20 motor oil for your 0w40 engine, you can always change the motor oil afterward.
0w20 vs 0w40 High Mileage
The 0w20 motor oil has a formulation that is combined with a propriety mix of high-performance synthetic base stocks that are fortified with an accurate and specific well-balanced additive component system and this is made specially and designed for high mileage vehicles.
On the other hand, it was not really specified if the 0w40 motor oil can be used in high mileage cars. You just have to make sure if your vehicle will recommend it.
Which Is Better, 0w20 or 0w40 Oil?
This is a bit tricky. One motor oil cannot be the best of all engines. So the answer to this is that the best motor oil for your engine is what your manufacturer recommends because your manufacturer knows best the suitable motor oil for your engine and not anybody else.
When Should I Use 0w20 and When 0w40?
To answer this, let us first define each motor oil. The 0w20 motor oil with their numbers zero and twenty refers to the viscosity rating of the motor oil. The number zero means the viscosity of the motor oil in low temperatures.
The number twenty means the viscosity rating of the motor oil in high operating temperatures. The 0w20 can also help improve the fuel economy of your vehicle. Aside from that, if you refill your engine oil with 0w20 motor oil, you can go up to one hundred thousand miles.
This would mean that you will not have to change your motor oil for some time. This motor oil will also provide you with good lubrication in your engine parts. Using 0w20 motor oil is suitable for trucks, vans, SUVs, and cars.
Those engines that would require high-end performance and modern cars can use 0w20 motor oil. On the other hand, the 0w40 motor oil has numbers zero and forty in its name. The number zero means the level of viscosity rating in low temperatures for the motor oil.
The number forty will also indicate the viscosity in high temperatures. Therefore, the 0w40 motor oil is good in maintaining the running potential of your vehicle’s engine.
So with that, both 0w20 motor oil and 0w40 motor oil have their differences and their similarities. Still, the best time to use 0w20 motor oil and 0w40 motor oil is if your vehicle’s manufacturer will recommend it.
0w20 vs. 0w40 Toyota
The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. There is no mention of 0w20 motor oil and 0w40 motor oil in the recommendation list of motor oils used in Toyota engines. But both 0w20 motor oil and 0w40 motor oil can be used for all climates or temperatures, but 0w20 motor oil is a better option for hot climates.
You can also use 0w20 motor oil in engines that are modern and that are demanding high performance. On the other hand, you can use 0w40 motor oil as an alternative to 0w20 motor oil. But always pick the recommended motor oil by your manufacturer.
0w20 vs. 0w40 Nissan
The recommended motor oil for Nissan vehicles is 5w30 and 10w30. There is no mention of 0w20 motor oil and 0w40 motor oil in the recommendation list of motor oils used in Nissan engines. But both 0w20 motor oil and 0w40 motor oil can be used for all climates or temperatures, but 0w20 motor oil is a better option for hot climates.
You can also use 0w20 motor oil in engines that are modern and that are demanding high performance. On the other hand, you can use 0w40 motor oil as an alternative to 0w20 motor oil. But always pick the recommended motor oil by your manufacturer.
0w20 vs. 0w40 Subaru
The recommended motor oil for all Subaru engines is 0w20 and 5w30. There is no mention of 0w40 motor oil in the recommendation list of motor oils in Subaru engines. But 0w40 motor oil can be used for all climates or temperatures.
You can also use 0w40 motor oil as an alternative to 0w20 motor oil. But always pick the recommended motor oil by your manufacturer.
0w20 vs. 0w40 Mazda
Almost all the vehicles and SUVs of Mazda will need 0w20 motor oil. There are no mentions of 0w40 motor oil in the recommendation list of motor oils in Mazda engines. But 0w40 motor oil can be used for all climates or temperatures.
You can also use 0w40 motor oil as an alternative to 0w20 motor oil. But always pick the recommended motor oil by your manufacturer.
0w20 vs. 0w40 BMW
For all BMW engines, they are recommending 5w30 motor oil. There is no mention of 0w20 motor oil and 0w40 motor oil in the recommendation list of motor oils used in BMW engines. But both 0w20 motor oil and 0w40 motor oil can be used for all climates or temperatures, but 0w20 motor oil is a better option for hot climates.
You can also use 0w20 motor oil in engines that are modern and that are demanding high performance. On the other hand, you can use 0w40 motor oil as an alternative to 0w20 motor oil. But always pick the recommended motor oil by your manufacturer.
0w20 vs 0w40 Ford
According to the 2020 ford owner’s manual, almost all of their engines must be using a 5w30 motor oil or 0w30 motor oil. Unfortunately, there are no mentions of 0w20 motor oil and 0w40 motor oil in the recommendation list of motor oils used in Ford engines. But both 0w20 motor oil and 0w40 motor oil can be used for all climates or temperatures, but 0w20 motor oil is a better option for hot climates.
You can also use 0w20 motor oil in engines that are modern and that are demanding high performance. On the other hand, you can use 0w40 motor oil as an alternative to 0w20 motor oil. But always pick the recommended motor oil by your manufacturer.
0w20 vs. 0w40 Chevrolet
For Chevrolet, the recommended oil is 5w20, 5w30, or 10w30 in some engines. Unfortunately, there is no mention of 0w20 motor oil and 0w40 motor oil in the recommendation list of motor oils used in Chevrolet engines. But both 0w20 motor oil and 0w40 motor oil can be used for all climates or temperatures, but 0w20 motor oil is a better option for hot climates.
You can also use 0w20 motor oil in engines that are modern and that are demanding high performance. On the other hand, you can use 0w40 motor oil as an alternative to 0w20 motor oil. But always pick the recommended motor oil by your manufacturer.
0w20 vs. 0w40 Jeep
The recommended viscosity for jeep vehicles is 0W20, 5W20, 5W30, or 10W30. There is no mention of 0w40 motor oil in the recommendation list of motor oils in jeep engines. But 0w40 motor oil can be used for all climates or temperatures.
You can also use 0w40 motor oil as an alternative to 0w20 motor oil. But always pick the recommended motor oil by your manufacturer.
0w20 vs. 0w40 Volkswagen
Their recommendation is only 5w30 and 0w20. Moreover, there are no mentions of 0w40 motor oil in the recommendation list of motor oils used in Volkswagen engines. But 0w40 motor oil can be used for all climates or temperatures.
You can also use 0w40 motor oil as an alternative to 0w20 motor oil. But always pick the recommended motor oil by your manufacturer.
Summary
In summary, as much as motor oil is essential for maintaining your vehicle’s excellent condition, knowing the right and recommended motor oil for your engine is very important too. The use of 0w20 motor oil or 0w40 motor oil will depend on a lot of conditions.
Before using any of them, you need to look into your owner’s manual and look for the recommended motor oil for your vehicle. Your manufacturer knows very well the suitable motor oil for your vehicle.
Related:
Resources
Image credits – Canva
