0w20 vs. 5w40 Engine Oil: Differences and Can You Swap Them?

The oil viscosity is the measurement of the resistance of the motor oil to the flow. There are about two numbers that would state the viscosity of the motor oil. The first number has w in the last letter, and it stands for winter. 

This measures how the motor oil will flow if the temperature is cold like the engine’s start-up. The second number indicates how the motor oil will flow at a standard engine operating temperature. If the number is small, then it will have a better flow. 

This is important because the motor oil will naturally thicken as it will cool and go thin if the motor oil is heated. Those thin motor oils have low viscosity and will flow easier to protect the parts of your engine in cold temperatures. On the other hand, those thick motor oils have high viscosity and generally maintain film strength to protect in high temperatures. 

With that, it is essential to have the right and suitable motor oil viscosity in your engine. So in this article, we’ll talk about 0w20 motor oil and 5w40 motor oil. We will be going to talk about their differences and if you swam the two of them together. Let us get started.

0w20 vs. 5w40 Engine Oil

What Is the Difference Between 0w20 and 5w40 Oil?

The motor oil is the blood of the engine. It also plays a vital role in terms of lubricating the components of your vehicle. Therefore, your vehicle will be needing motor oil. 

There can be a lot of motor oil in the market. As a result, you might be overwhelmed with your choices. So now, let us know the differences between 0w20 motor oil and 5w40 motor oil in terms of fuel economy, hot weather, and viscosity.

Viscosity

It is a common belief in people that the letter w in viscosity means weight. However, it means winter. The 0w20 motor oil means that the motor oil will flow easily as zero-weight motor oil in winter temperature. 

The 5w40 motor oil has a winter viscosity grade of five. This means that it is less vicious in low temperatures.

Fuel Economy

In terms of fuel economy, both 0w20 motor oil and 5w40 motor oil can provide improvements in your fuel economy. However, it is essential to know which between 0w20 motor oil and 5w40 motor oil is the motor oil that your manufacturer recommends.

Hot Weather

The 0w20 motor oil is liquid engineered to flow easily in cold or winter temperatures as zero-weight motor oil. But it will behave like twenty-weight motor oil in its whole operating temperatures. 

This assures that the motor oil will still flow through the motor oil ways even in a cold climate. Moreover, it will provide lubrication in the critical parts of the engine. The full synthetic 5w40 motor oil is made to flow like the five weight.

Can I Use 0w20 Instead of 5w40?

Yes, you can if you want to and if you have no other choice. However, you have to follow one simple rule here. You have to follow what your owner’s manual recommends. 

If the 0w20 motor oil is not in the recommended list of motor oils, it would be best not to use it. There might be exceptions on this, of course. For example, you might have run out of motor oil in a place that only has a different motor oil. 

If that is the case, then you can use 0w20 motor oil. But, of course, you can always have an oil change.

Accidentally Used 0w20 Instead of 5w40: Is It Ok?

It is okay that you will not experience any engine failure or any severe problems in your vehicle. If you have no other choices, then you can use them. However, the rule of thumb here is always to use the recommended motor oil for your engine.

0w20 vs 5w40 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, mechanics are using 5w40 motor oil to support high mileage engines. This is because it is thicker under hear than any other motor oil. It also lubricated moving parts even better. 

Which Is Better, 0w20 or 5w40 Oil?

This depends on many factors. One motor oil is not the best in every engine. Each engine is unique, and these vehicles have their specific and unique recommended motor oil. So the better motor oil for your engine is the motor oil recommended by your owner’s manual. 

Some car drivers are not following this simple rule. It is a straightforward rule, and many car drivers are not doing it. 

You need to check your owner’s manual for the recommended motor oil for your engine. You can use both if the 0w20 motor oil and the 5w40 motor oil are on the recommended list.

When Should I Use 0w20 And When 5w40?

You can use 0w20 motor oil or the 5w40 motor oil if your owner’s manual recommends it. The 0w20 motor oil has one of the lowest temperature grades. In addition, this motor oil is liquid engineered to flow smoothly in sub-zero weather. 

On the other hand, the 5w40 motor oil can be good for your engine in low temperatures because it flows effortlessly in this climate. If your engine is running and hot, the 5w40 motor oil effectively protects your engine from wear.

0w20 vs. 5w40

0w20 vs. 5w40 Toyota

The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. Unfortunately, 0w20 motor oil and 5w40 motor oil are not included in the recommended motor oils for Toyota engines. However, you can use 0w20 motor oil in the summer season. 

The 5w40 motor oil can be used in starting your engine in low temperatures. Still, the best motor oil for your engine is the one recommended for your vehicle.

0w20 vs. 5w40 Nissan

The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. Unfortunately, 0w20 motor oil and 5w40 motor oil are not included in the recommended motor oils for Nissan engines. However, you can use 0w20 motor oil in the summer season. 

The 5w40 motor oil can be used in starting your engine in low temperatures. Still, the best motor oil for your engine is the one recommended for your vehicle.

0w20 vs. 5w40 Subaru

The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. Unfortunately, 0w20 motor oil and 5w40 motor oil are not included in the recommended motor oils for Subaru engines. However, you can use 0w20 motor oil in the summer season. 

In addition, the 5w40 motor oil can be used in starting your engine in low temperatures. Still, the best motor oil for your engine is the one recommended for your vehicle.

0w20 vs. 5w40 Mazda

The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. Unfortunately, 0w20 motor oil and 5w40 motor oil are not included in the recommended motor oils for Mazda engines. However, you can use 0w20 motor oil in the summer season. 

The 5w40 motor oil can be used in starting your engine in low temperatures. Still, the best motor oil for your engine is the one recommended for your vehicle.

0w20 vs. 5w40 BMW

The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. Unfortunately, 0w20 motor oil and 5w40 motor oil are not included in the recommended motor oils for BMW engines. However, you can use 0w20 motor oil in the summer season. 

The 5w40 motor oil can be used in starting your engine in low temperatures. Still, the best motor oil for your engine is the one recommended for your vehicle.

0w20 vs. 5w40 Ford

The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. Unfortunately, 0w20 motor oil and 5w40 motor oil are not included in the recommended motor oils for ford engines. However, you can use 0w20 motor oil in the summer season. 

The 5w40 motor oil can be used in starting your engine in low temperatures. Still, the best motor oil for your engine is the one recommended for your vehicle.

0w20 vs. 5w40 Chevrolet

The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. Unfortunately, 0w20 motor oil and 5w40 motor oil are not included in the recommended motor oils for Chevrolet engines. However, you can use 0w20 motor oil in the summer season. 

The 5w40 motor oil can be used in starting your engine in low temperatures. Still, the best motor oil for your engine is the one recommended for your vehicle.

0w20 vs. 5w40 Jeep

The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. Unfortunately, 0w20 motor oil and 5w40 motor oil are not included in the recommended motor oils for jeep engines. However, you can use 0w20 motor oil in the summer season. 

The 5w40 motor oil can be used in starting your engine in low temperatures. Still, the best motor oil for your engine is the one recommended for your vehicle.

0w20 vs. 5w40 Volkswagen

The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. Unfortunately, 0w20 motor oil and 5w40 motor oil are not included in the recommended motor oils for Volkswagen engines. However, you can use 0w20 motor oil in the summer season. 

The 5w40 motor oil can be used in starting your engine in low temperatures. Still, the best motor oil for your engine is the one recommended for your vehicle.

Summary

In summary, people interchange 0w20 motor oil and 5w40 motor oil. Car drivers are also confused if it is right to swap them both and if it is okay.

Both 0w20 motor oil and 5w40 motor oil have their differences and their similarities. Therefore, the best option is to always refer to your owner’s manual for the suitable and recommended motor oil for your engine.

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My name is Hank, and I've been in the automotive industry for 27 years. I've been working in my own auto repair shop for the last 13 years, and now I want to help you here, on my blog. Let me know if you have any questions. Read more