A motor oil offers the needed lubrication for the moving parts of any engine. Motor oil will act as a lubricant, and it will lubricate the components of your engine. This lubricant will allow the pistons to move in the engine block and not make any excess wear.
The society of automotive engineers or SAE has distinguished motor oil by the level of their viscosity. And as much as motor oil is essential for your engine, you should also know that the type of motor oil you choose is just as important. Car drivers have interchanged the 0w30 motor oil and the 5w20 motor oil.
And some car drivers want to know if you can swap the two of them. People are also curious about the differences between these motor oils.
So in this article, we’ll be talking about the differences between 0w30 motor oil and 5w20 motor oil. Let us get started.
Table of Contents
What Is the Difference Between 0w30 and 5w20 Oil?
Let us know the differences between 0w30 motor oil and the 5w20 motor oil in fuel economy, hot weather, and viscosity.
Viscosity
The 0w30 motor oil is a special kind of motor oil. This motor oil has a low viscosity, and this motor oil can also be used as a replacement for a 5w30 motor or 10w30 motor oil.
For the 5w20 motor oil, the twenty indicates that the motor oil has a low viscosity and is also thinner in high temperatures. Because of the viscosity, the 5w20 motor oil has a thin oil in operating temperatures.
Fuel Economy
The 0w30 motor oil is full synthetic motor oil. This motor oil can provide significant improvements in your fuel economy. This is because this motor oil has low friction properties.
The 0w30 motor oil will exceed the other conventional motor oils because it can replace the other oil applications. The main properties of 0w30 motor oil are low-temperature requirements, a balanced component, and thermal and oxidation stability. These three properties are what encompasses the 0w30 motor oil to have that ability to provide significant improvement in your fuel economy.
A car driver will switch from a high viscosity motor oil to a 0w30 motor oil. The motor oil you will choose to use in your engine will significantly affect how much you can save. This motor oil is known for its extraordinary capacity to improve your fuel economy.
On the other hand, the 5w20 motor oil is a low-temperature oil grade, and it is usually used and even recommended for winter. The 5w20 motor oil is usually to provide the engine with the best fuel economy. In addition, you will also save a lot more fuel, and you will have less fuel consumption.
Hot Weather
All motor oils have a temperature range that they can operate. If there is an increased velocity under low temperatures, a motor oil may have a restrictive condition to function effectively.
If there is a high temperature and a low velocity, there might be a reduction in the thickness that will cause damage to the machine parts. The recommended temperature range for a 0w30 motor oil is a negative thirty-degree Celcius flow.
Can I Use 0w30 Instead of 5w20?
Yes, you can, but it does not mean that you should. This means that it is never advisable to switch motor oils, especially if it is not in your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended motor oil for your engine.
So unless it is an emergency and you are in a situation where you have to top up your motor oil, you can use it and do an oil change afterward. But the rule of thumb is always to follow the recommended motor oil for your engine.
Accidentally Used 0w30 Instead of 5w20: Is It Ok?
If you are asking if there will be damages to your engine, there will not be, so you should be fine. However, this is still not recommended.
So with that, if you have accidentally put different motor oil, then do an oil change if you want to be in the safe zone. But your vehicle will be excellent.
0w30 vs 5w20 High Mileage
Using a 0w30 motor oil is okay. It can provide superior strength and fantastic protection. On the other hand, the 5w20 motor oil can work with a high mileage vehicle in an effective manner.
Which Is Better, 0w30 or 5w20 Oil?
This depends on some factors. No motor oil is the best and the best for all vehicles. So the answer to this is that the better motor oil for you is the recommended motor oil for your engine.
If your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends the 0w30 motor oil, you should use the 0w30 motor oil because it will be better for you. Likewise, if your owner’s manual recommends the 5w20 motor oil, you should use the 5w20 motor oil because it will be the better motor oil for you.
When Should I Use 0w30 And When 5w20?
The basic rule is to use 0w30 motor oil if your vehicle manufacturer recommends it and 5w20 motor oil if your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends it. So the determinants can be about two factors. The first factor that you must consider is the temperature.
The second factor is viscosity. The vehicle manufacturer will recommend the motor oil that depends on the two factors. In winter, the 0w30 motor oil might be the most suitable motor oil to use.
The 0w30 motor oil will work better and faster in the winter where the temperature is cold; the motor oil will quickly warm up the vehicle’s moving parts and the gliding surfaces. The 5w20 motor oil is typically used in winter or colder climates.
The number will present the w highlights. The 5w20 motor oil will provide lubrication in the engine.
0w30 vs. 5w20 Toyota
The motor oil grade that is recommended for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. However, the 0w30 motor oil and the 5w20 motor oil are not on the recommended list.
But the 0w30 motor oil and the 5w20 motor oil are suitable for cold temperatures. However, still refer to your owner’s manual.
0w30 vs. 5w20 Nissan
The motor oil that is recommended for Nissan is 5w30 motor oil. However, there is no mention of 0w30 motor oil or the 5w20 motor oil.
There is no mention of 0w30 motor oil. But the 0w30 motor oil and the 5w20 motor oil are suitable for cold temperatures. Refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended motor oil.
0w30 vs. 5w20 Subaru
The recommended motor oil for Subaru vehicles is 5w30 synthetic oil and 0w20 synthetic oil. However, there is no mention of 0w30 motor oil or the 5w20 motor oil.
But the 0w30 motor oil and the 5w20 motor oil are suitable for cold temperatures. Refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended motor oil.
0w30 vs. 5w20 Mazda
The recommended motor oil for almost all Mazda cars and crossovers SUVs is 0w20 motor oil. The lone standout will call for 5w30.
Unfortunately, the 0w30 motor oil and the 5w20 motor oil are not on the recommended list. However, still refer to your owner’s manual.
0w30 vs. 5w20 BMW
The recommended motor oil for your BMW is 0W-40, 5W-30, 0W-30, or 10W-60. Unfortunately, there is no mention of 0w30 motor oil or the 5w20 motor oil. But the 0w30 motor oil and the 5w20 motor oil are suitable for cold temperatures.
0w30 vs. 5w20 Ford
According to the 2020 Ford owner’s manual, most of their engines are using 5w30 or 0w30. However, there is no mention of 0w30 motor oil or the 5w20 motor oil.
There is no mention of 0w30 motor oil. But the 0w30 motor oil and the 5w20 motor oil are suitable for cold temperatures. Refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended motor oil.
0w30 vs 5w20 Chevrolet
The recommended motor oil for Chevrolet engines is 5w20, 5w30, or 10w30. There is no mention of 0w30 motor oil.
But the 0w30 motor oil and the 5w20 motor oil are suitable for cold temperatures. However, still refer to your owner’s manual.
0w30 vs. 5w20 Jeep
The recommended viscosity for jeep vehicles is 0W20, 5W20, 5W30, or 10W30. There is no mention of 0w30 motor oil.
But the 0w30 motor oil and the 5w20 motor oil are suitable for cold temperatures. Refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended motor oil.
0w30 vs. 5w20 Volkswagen
The recommended motor oil for Volkswagen is 5W30, 5W40, or 0W40 oil. Unfortunately, the 0w30 motor oil and the 5w20 motor oil are not on the recommended list.
But the 0w30 motor oil and the 5w20 motor oil are suitable for cold temperatures. However, still refer to your owner’s manual.
Summary
In summary, 0w30 motor oil and 5w20 motor oil can be interchanged sometimes. People have also been asking if they can switch places and what the differences are between these two.
0w30 motor oil and 5w20 motor oil have their differences. However, they also have their similarities. In choosing between the two, always refer to your owner’s manual.
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