The viscosity grade of every motor oil is an essential aspect of motor oil. It is a given that motor oil is a vital part of your engine. That is why you should understand the different types of viscosity.
Motor oil can decrease wear and tear against your engine. It will improve your horsepower and your fuel economy too. The 0w40 motor oil and 10w30 motor oil have been swapped by most car drivers.
Some car drivers do not do it, though, because they are afraid of the consequences. You might not know any of the differences between 0w40 motor oil and 10w30 motor oil.
There are many motor oils in the market, but we’ll focus on these two in this article. Let us get started.
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What Is the Difference Between 0w40 and 10w30 Oil?
The viscosity of the motor oils is the essential property of a lubricant. You must understand the viscosity of the motor oils because they can reduce wear, improve your horsepower, and improve your fuel economy. Let us differentiate 0w40 motor oil and 10w30 motor oil in fuel economy, hot weather, and viscosity.
Viscosity
The w means weight. It can also mean winter, and you must know this to understand the viscosity grades of the motor oils. The 10w30 motor oil is a multi-grade motor. It means it has two viscosities.
It meets more than one grade of oil. The 10w30 motor oil has the winter cold start flow properties. The 0w40 motor oil means that the motor oil will droop within a specific viscosity limit of one hundred Celsius.
Fuel Economy
For the record, both 0w40 motor oil and 10w30 motor oil can improve your fuel economy. You need to focus on the motor oil that is recommended by your owner’s manual. Using 0w40 motor oil in cold temperatures can work well and improve your vehicle’s fuel economy.
Hot Weather
Years ago, there were winter grades for cold weather and summer grades for warm weather. The typical winter-grade was a 10w. The typical summer grade is thirty.
These oils are straight-grade oils. A 10w will flow very well in cold temperatures and cold weather. This is to protect the engine of the start-up vehicle.
But it can be a little bit too thin to use in the summer. The 30-grade oil can be thick enough to protect in the heat, and it was recommended in summer use. The 10w30 motor oil can be fluid at the operating temperature and handle high temperatures.
Can I Use 0w40 Instead of 10w30?
Well, this depends on many factors. You can use it instead if you want to, but many answers are coming from different sides. It is essential to put the correct and recommended motor oil in your engine to do good for your engine.
So if you can avoid doing such a thing, then you must do so. If you have no other choice and are in a tight situation where you need to top up your motor oil because it is running low, you can also use it. You can always do an oil change if you want to.
Accidentally Used 0w40 Instead of 10w30: Is It Ok?
If you had accidentally used 0w40 motor oil, then it is okay in the sense that there will be no severe damages to your vehicle. There are no severe engine failures and problems that you should worry about. But still, you should only use the motor oil that is recommended by your owner’s manual.
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. If you need a thin oil, then use thinner 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.
0w40 vs 10w30 High Mileage
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.
On the other hand, a 10w30 motor oil is good for high mileage vehicles. It has a formulation that has a mixture of high-performance synthetic base well-balanced additive components.
Which Is Better, 0w40 or 10w30 Oil?
It does not mean that the one motor oil is better for all the existing vehicles. The answer to this cannot be generalized because the better and the best motor oil for you is the motor oil that your manufacturer recommends. So the better motor oil between 0w40 motor oil and 10w30 motor oil is the motor oil that the manufacturer of your vehicle recommends.
When Should I Use 0w40 And When 10w30?
You should 0w40 motor oil if your owner’s manual recommends it. On the other hand, you should use 10w30 motor oil if your owner’s manual would recommend it.
The first thing you should always consider is the owner’s manual. You must refer to your owner’s manual at all times.
In your owner’s manual, there is the recommended viscosity of the motor oil that you should put into your engine. But refer to your owner’s manual for the best choice.
0w40 vs. 10w30 Toyota
The recommended motor oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. Unfortunately, the 0w40 motor oil and 10w30 motor oil is not on the recommended list. However, you can use both of them if you want to, but they are not advised.
The 0w40 motor oil can be used in extreme conditions during summer and winter. The 10w30 motor oil can be good in high temperatures.
0w40 vs. 10w30 Nissan
The recommended motor oil for Nissan vehicles is 5w30 and 10w30. The 0w40 motor oil is not on the recommended list. However, you can use both of them if you want to, but they are not advised.
The 0w40 motor oil can be used in extreme conditions during summer and winter. But refer to your owner’s manual.
0w40 vs 10w30 Subaru
The recommended motor oil for all Subaru engines is 0w20 and 5w30. The 0w40 motor oil and 10w30 motor oil is not on the recommended list. However, you can use both of them if you want to, but they are not advised.
The 0w40 motor oil can be used in extreme conditions during summer and winter. The 10w30 motor oil can be good in high temperatures. But refer to your owner’s manual for the best choice.
0w40 vs. 10w30 Mazda
Almost all the vehicles and SUVs of Mazda will need 0w20 motor oil. However, their lone standout might be used with some 5w30. The 0w40 motor oil and 10w30 motor oil is not on the recommended list.
However, you can use both of them if you want to, but they are not advised. The 0w40 motor oil can be used in extreme conditions during summer and winter. The 10w30 motor oil can be good in high temperatures.
0w40 vs 10w30 BMW
For all BMW engines, they are recommending 5w30 motor oil. The 0w40 motor oil and 10w30 motor oil is not on the recommended list. However, you can use both of them if you want to, but they are not advised.
The 0w40 motor oil can be used in extreme conditions during summer and winter. The 10w30 motor oil can be good in high temperatures. But refer to your owner’s manual.
0w40 vs 10w30 Ford
For all BMW engines, they are recommending 5w30 motor oil. The 0w40 motor oil and 10w30 motor oil is not on the recommended list. However, you can use both of them if you want to, but they are not advised.
The 0w40 motor oil can be used in extreme conditions during summer and winter. The 10w30 motor oil can be good in high temperatures. But refer to your owner’s manual for the best choice.
0w40 vs 10w30 Chevrolet
For all BMW engines, they are recommending 5w30 motor oil. The 0w40 motor oil and 10w30 motor oil is not on the recommended list. However, you can use both of them if you want to, but they are not advised.
The 0w40 motor oil can be used in extreme conditions during summer and winter. The 10w30 motor oil can be good in high temperatures.
0w40 vs. 10w30 Jeep
The recommended viscosity for jeep vehicles is 0W20, 5W20, 5W30, or 10W30. The 0w40 motor oil is not on the recommended list. However, you can use it if you want to, but they are not advised.
0w40 vs. 10w30 Volkswagen
Their recommendation is only 5w30 and 0w20. Therefore, the 0w40 motor oil and 10w30 motor oil is not on the recommended list. However, you can use both of them if you want to, but they are not advised.
The 0w40 motor oil can be used in extreme conditions during summer and winter. The 10w30 motor oil can be good in high temperatures. But refer to your owner’s manual.
Summary
In summary, people interchange 0w40 motor oil and 10w30 motor oil. Car drivers are also confused if it is right to swap them both and if it is okay.
Both 0w40 motor oil and 10w30 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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