A lot of car drivers do not know about the recommended viscosity for their engines. They are also overwhelmed with their choices. When it is time to pick the right motor oil for your engine, many car drivers get confused with their choices because there can be many different types of motor oil in the market.
With that, a task as simple as choosing the suitable motor oil for your engine can be challenging. The seller might know a lot about these motor oils, but the only one that knows the recommended motor oil for your engine is the manufacturer of your vehicle.
With that, you should refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended motor oil. So in this article, we’re going to talk about 0w30 motor oil and 5w40 motor oil. We will be talking about their differences and if you swap the two of them. Let us get started.
Table of Contents
What Is the Difference Between 0w30 and 5w40 Oil?
In knowing the differences between 0w30 motor oil and 5w40 motor oil, let us discuss the two in terms of fuel economy, hot weather, and viscosity.
Viscosity
The 0w30 motor oil is a particular type of motor oil because of its low viscosity, and it can also be a replacement for 5w30 or 10w30 motor oil. The 5w40 motor oil indicates the weight and the viscosity of the engine. It has a low viscosity of five, and the high viscosity is forty. Therefore, the 5w40 motor is not thick if it has a high viscosity.
Fuel Economy
The 0w30 motor oil will overlap with the other conventional motor oils. This is because it can be used in place of other motor oil applications. The significant properties of a 0w30 motor oil are the thermal and oxidation stability, a balanced component, and a low-temperature requirement. The properties of this motor oil make the 0w30 motor oil the ability to provide a significant improvement in your fuel economy. The 5w40 motor oil can also improve your fuel economy. You have to base it on the recommended motor oil for your vehicle.
Hot Weather
The 0w30 motor oil is a fully synthetic motor oil type. It is also capable of enhancing and improving your fuel economy because of its lower friction properties. The 5w40 motor oil has a higher viscosity, which means it is not suitable for all temperatures. The 5w40 motor oil has a winter viscosity grade of five. This means that it is less vicious if it is in low temperatures. However, its viscosity grade is forty, and this means that it is vicious in high temperatures.
Can I Use 0w30 Instead of 5w40?
Yes, you can if you want and if you have no other choice. But you should know that this is not something that you should do. You should always stick with what is in your owner’s manual. This way, you will enjoy the full benefit of the motor oil because you have used the recommended motor oil.
Related: Can You Mix 0w30 and 5w40 Oil?
Accidentally Used 0w30 Instead of 5w40: Is It Ok?
It is okay in the sense that there will be no permanent damage to your vehicle. But you must always stick with the recommended motor oil for your engine. If the 0w30 motor oil is on the recommended list, then you can use it. However, you should avoid it if you can.
0w30 vs 5w40 High Mileage
Using a 0w30 motor oil is okay. It can provide superior strength and fantastic protection.
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, 0w30 or 5w40 Oil?
The 0w30 motor oil is good for frost to negative thirty-five degrees and used in the weather up to twenty-five. This is a universal lubricant for modern motors. But the answer to this is that the best motor oil for your engine is the motor oil recommended for your vehicle. You should always follow your owner’s manual.
When Should I Use 0w30 And When 5w40?
Knowing when to use which motor oil is to determine two factors. The first factor that you should consider is the temperature. The second one to consider is viscosity. But the most important one is that you should use the motor oil intended and recommended by the manufacturer of your engine.
0w30 vs. 5w40 Toyota
The motor oil grade that is recommended for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. Unfortunately, the 0w30 motor oil and the 5w40 motor oil are not on the recommended list. However, you can use 0w30 motor oil in modern engines. Likewise, you can use 5w40 motor oil for the same types of engines in other operating conditions. But refer first to your owner’s manual.
0w30 vs. 5w40 Nissan
The motor oil that is recommended for Nissan is 5w30 motor oil. Unfortunately, the 0w30 motor oil and the 5w40 motor oil are not on the recommended list. However, you can use 0w30 motor oil in modern engines. Likewise, you can use 5w40 motor oil for the same types of engines in other operating conditions. But before deciding, you should always refer to your owner’s manual.
0w30 vs. 5w40 Subaru
The recommended motor oil for Subaru vehicles is 5w30 synthetic oil and 0w20 synthetic oil. The 0w30 motor oil and the 5w40 motor oil are not on the recommended list. However, you can use 0w30 motor oil in modern engines. Likewise, you can use 5w40 motor oil for the same types of engines in other operating conditions. But refer first to your owner’s manual.
0w30 vs. 5w40 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 5w40 motor oil are not on the recommended list. However, you can use 0w30 motor oil in modern engines. Likewise, you can use 5w40 motor oil for the same types of engines in other operating conditions. But before deciding, you should always refer to your owner’s manual.
0w30 vs. 5w40 BMW
The recommended motor oil for your BMW are 0W-40, 5W-30, 0W-30,or 10W-60. The 5w40 motor oil is not on the recommended list. However, you can use 5w40 motor oil for the same types of engines in other operating conditions. But before deciding, you should always refer to your owner’s manual.
0w30 vs. 5w40 Ford
According to the 2020 Ford owner’s manual, most of their engines are using 5w30 or 0w30. Therefore, the 5w40 motor oil is not on the recommended list. However, you can use 5w40 motor oil for the same types of engines in other operating conditions. But refer first to your owner’s manual.
0w30 vs 5w40 Chevrolet
The recommended motor oil for Chevrolet engines is 5w20, 5w30, or 10w30. Unfortunately, the 0w30 motor oil and the 5w40 motor oil are not on the recommended list. However, you can use 0w30 motor oil in modern engines. Likewise, you can use 5w40 motor oil for the same types of engines in other operating conditions. But before deciding, you should always refer to your owner’s manual.
0w30 vs. 5w40 Jeep
The recommended viscosity for jeep vehicles is 0W20, 5W20, 5W30, or 10W30. Unfortunately, the 0w30 motor oil and the 5w40 motor oil are not on the recommended list. However, you can use 0w30 motor oil in modern engines. Likewise, you can use 5w40 motor oil for the same types of engines in other operating conditions. But before deciding, you should always refer to your owner’s manual.
0w30 vs. 5w40 Volkswagen
The recommended motor oil for Volkswagen is 5W30, 5W40, or 0W40 oil. Unfortunately, the 0w30 motor oil is not on the recommended list. However, you can use 0w30 motor oil in modern engines. But refer first to your owner’s manual.
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 also very important. The use of 0w30 motor oil and 5w40 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. They are both goods in high temperatures.
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