0w20 vs. 5w20 Engine Oil: Differences and Can You Swap Them?

The viscosity of motor oil is critical in picking the right and suitable motor oil for your engine. The oil viscosity refers to the resistance of the flow to flow into a specific temperature. If the motor oil is thin, the motor oil will flow more easily in low temperatures than those thicker oils with a high viscosity.

Those thin motor oils are mostly winter-grade, and they will decrease the friction created by engines, and it will assist these engines in starting in cold temperatures quickly. Those thicker motor oils are referred to as summer-grade oils. These motor oils maintain a better film strength and oil pressure in high temperatures.

So in this article, we will not be talking about many different types of motor oils. We will just go to talk about the 0w20 motor oil and 5w20 motor oil.

We will talk about the differences and the similarities of both these motor oils. Let us get started.

What Is the Difference Between 0w20 and 5w20 Oil?

Some car drivers do not know much about 0w20 motor oil and 5w20 motor oil. In this section, we will discuss the differences between 0w20 motor oil and 5w20 motor oil. We will differentiate the difference between 0w20 motor oil and 5w20 motor oil in fuel economy, hot weather, cold weather, and viscosity.

Viscosity

The viscosity, the smaller the number is, the better the motor oil is to flow. So, for example, the 0w20 motor oil is much more fluid than the 5w20 motor oil at startup temperature.

They perform the same thing, though, in standard engine operating temperatures. You need to know that the motor oil will flow naturally and will naturally thicken when they cool down, and they will get thin when they are heated.

Fuel Economy

The 5w20 motor oil is also a low-temperature grade that is usually used and recommended for winter. This 5w20 motor oil is typical because it provides the best fuel economy. This will also help you save more fuel consumption.

The 5w20 motor oil is famous worldwide by different manufacturers. 0w20 motor oil and 5w20 motor oil both have low viscosity. They also both have high-quality synthetic grades that can optimize your fuel economy.

The properties of 0w20 motor oil and 5w20 motor oil are the same if used in proper weather temperatures. For example, you can use both 0w20 motor oil and 5w20 motor oil that can be used in twenty degrees Celsius. However, the 0w20 motor oil is thinner than the 5w20 motor oil in cold engine temperatures.

If you have a new car, it will provide your car with a better fuel economy than the 5w20 motor oil. However, the 0w20 motor oil can also meet the standard and the demand of a turbo diesel engine.

Hot Weather

In winter conditions, the 15w20 motor oil is a lot thicker than the 10w20 motor oil. Therefore, if the temperature heightens to one hundred degrees, the viscosity will not be the same. This is the same for the different kinds of additives in the motor oils.

This would mean that if you compare 0w20 motor oil and 5w20 motor oil, the 0w20 motor oils would be less thin on cold mornings. As a result, the vehicle will start quickly if the temperature is low or hot.

Cold Weather

The 0w20 motor oil and 5w20 motor oil are both winter-grade oil, and both of these are made for cold weather. These 0w20 motor oil and 5w20 motor oil will make your engine operate with the highest efficiency. Both of these motor oils are pretty similar.

They are just different in their composition and the lowest temperature that they can operate on. For example, 0w20 motor oil and 5w20 motor oil are both low-temperature grade motor oils, but the 0w20 motor oil is better used in very hot-cold weather. However, when used in cold conditions, there is very little difference.

Related: Can You Mix 0w20 and 5w20 Oil?

Can I Use 0w20 Instead of 5w20?

If you want to, then you can. But if we want to be strict and safe about it, then no. There are a lot of people and articles that would say that you can. In reality, you really can, but it does not mean that you should.

This is because your vehicle is specially made to operate in specific motor oil that your manufacturer recommends. These vehicles are made to run smoothly and efficiently.

When it comes to the world of automotive, you need to think first about efficiency. So the best decision is to follow what is in your owner’s manual and what your manufacturer recommends.

Accidentally Used 0w20 Instead of 5w20: Is It Ok?

If you had accidentally used 0w20 motor oil, then it is okay. There are no severe damages that you should worry about. But still, you should only use the motor oil that is recommended for your vehicle.

So if your engine has the recommendation of motor oil that should be thicker, you must use a thin SAE grade or thicker motor oil. You also have to use a suitable viscosity of motor oil so that the motor oil will protect your engine.

It will also give optimum performance to your vehicle’s engine. With that, you should always refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended motor oil.

0w20 vs 5w20 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, the 5w20 motor oil can work with a high mileage vehicle in an effective manner.

Which Is Better, 0w20 or 5w20 Oil?

This depends on some things. The 0w20 motor oil and 5w20 motor oil do not have so many significant differences. The primary function of the motor oil is to lubricate the vehicle’s engine and all of its components.

So you need to have the highest efficiency. Both the 0w20 motor oil and 5w20 motor oil have the same properties. The number zero and number five have the same cold flow temperatures.

If you reside in an area where the weather is cold, the 0w20 motor oil will do minor damage than the 5w20 motor oil. There are some cases, though, that you will not choose what to put in your engine. For example, you might have run out of motor oil in an area, and there might have been no available motor oil in the area; you may have to use different motor oil.

If this is what happens, then you can always do an oil change if you want to. But if you want to use another motor oil, then that is up to you. Using a different motor oil might make or break your vehicle.

For those car drivers who do not want to deviate from the owner’s manual recommended motor oil, you should stick with what is recommended. So in comparing 0w20 motor oil and 5w20 motor oil, it would be hard to think about which is the better one because there are some things to consider. So to conclude, the best motor oil for your engine is recommended for your vehicle.

When Should I Use 0w20 And When 5w20?

The first thing you should consider is the owner’s manual. You must refer to your owner’s manual. In your owner’s manual, there is the recommended viscosity of the motor oil that you should put into your engine.

If 0w20 motor oil and 5w20 motor oil are in your owner’s manual, you should use that, but you also have to consider the weather conditions. You also need to consider the location. It is essential to know where you will use both the 0w20 motor oil and 5w20 motor oil.

It is also better to choose 0w20 motor oil if you are residing in a place that is a freezing temperature. So do not use 0w20 motor oil and 5w20 motor oil if you are in that area with temperatures over twenty degrees celsius. You have to use the motor oil brand that has a suitable viscosity grade.

0w20 vs. 5w20 Toyota

The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. However, the 0w20 motor oil and 5w20 motor oil are not on the recommended list of Toyota engines.