5w30 vs. 0w30 Engine Oil: Differences and Can You Swap Them?

The motor oil acts as a lubricant, and it reduces wear and tear that can happen to your engine. They will also reduce the friction brought about by the moving parts in your internal engine. You will use motor oils for the internal surface of vehicles and other machines. 

This is why motor oil is essential for your vehicle. With that, you can find various motor oils in the market. They each have different viscosities and weights. 

That is why it is essential to use the motor oil that is recommended and suitable for your vehicle. In this article, let us focus on the 5w30 motor oil and the 0w30 motor oil. This is because both of these oils are being interchanged by people. 

So now, we will stop all the confusion and talk about the differences between 5w30 motor oil and 0w30 motor oil. Let us get started.

5w30 vs. 0w30 Engine Oil

What Is the Difference Between 5w30 and 0w30 Oil?

As mentioned, each motor oil is different from the other. They all have their differences, and they all have their similarities. Let us differentiate 5w30 motor oil from 0w30 motor oil in viscosity, hot weather, and fuel economy.

Viscosity

Viscosity refers to the resistance to flow. This means how easy or hard the oil can flow. For example, the 5w30 motor oil has a viscosity number of five, and this will tell the motor oil flow rate at zero degrees Celsius. 

So if the number is low, its viscosity is also less and thickens less in the cold. So a motor engine in cold weather would have a lot of help from a 0w30 motor oil more than the 5w30 motor oil can.

Fuel Economy

The choice of your motor oil determines the performance of your vehicle. The 0w30 motor oil is known for its high capacity for improvement in terms of fuel economy. The 5w30 motor oil has a viscosity that is much higher than the 0w30 motor oil. Motor oils can be different from how thick or thin they are. 

Thicker oil has a high viscosity, and thinner oil means low viscosity. The viscosity of these oils will determine their capacity for fuel economy. The 0w30 motor is a lot thinner than the 5w30 motor oil. 

This means that you can save more. It is also not stated that the 5w30 motor oil cannot increase the fuel economy, but it does less than the 0w30 motor oil. Comparing it to the other high viscosity oils, the 5w30 motor oil can improve your fuel economy. You will have a one or two percent increase in your fuel economy in using 0w30 motor oil. 

The 0w30 motor oil has more flow capacity, and it determines the ability of an oil to improve fuel economy. The 5w30 motor oil will come next.

Hot Weather

All motor oil have their temperature range. For example, the suitable temperature range for a 0w30 motor oil is a flow up to thirty degrees Celsius. 

The 5w30 motor oil will flow up to twenty-five degrees Celsius. An increase in velocity under a low temperature can be a restrictive condition for motor oil.

Can I Use 5w30 Instead of 0w30?

This will depend on many things. The determining factor of which motor oil should be used will depend on two factors. The first factor to consider is temperature. 

The second factor to consider is viscosity. So again, the manufacturer would recommend these motor oils for your vehicle, but it will depend on two factors. So this will depend on a lot of things. 

The vehicle that you are driving can also be a factor. Each vehicle has its recommendation of what motor oil to use. 

These companies will state their recommended motor oil on their owner’s manual for each vehicle. Refer to your owner’s manual if you want to know which of these two motor oils is suitable and recommended for you.

Related: Can you mix 0w30 and 5w30?

Accidentally Used 5w30 Instead of 0w30: Is It Ok?

Yes. If you have accidentally used 5w30 motor oil for your vehicle instead of 0w30 motor oil, nothing severe or significant damage can happen. However, it is a rule of thumb always to use what is recommended for your vehicle. Though the 5w30 motor oil has the same flow rate for 0w30 motor oil in average operating temperature, it is not an assurance that you can interchange them both.

5w30 vs 0w30 High Mileage

A 5w30 motor oil is best used for high mileage vehicles. On the other hand, using a 0w30 motor oil is okay. It can provide superior strength and fantastic protection. So you can just choose between the two of them. Just make sure that it is recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer. 

Which Is Better, 5w30 or 0w30 Oil?

This depends on many factors. Depending on your vehicle, only one of these motor oil is better for your vehicle. The 0w30 motor oil and the 5w30 motor oil are only slightly different. 

They are different in their viscosity. For example, the 0w is a lot thinner in cold temperatures. However, at average operating temperatures, they have the same viscosity. 

Their only difference is that the 0w30 motor oil is always synthetic. On the other hand, the 5w30 motor oil is conventional or synthetic. The conventional motor oils cannot meet the spec of 0w30 motor oil. 

So if the manufacturer recommends and specifies a 0w30 motor oil, they mean synthetic motor oil. The 0w30 motor oil is a particular type of motor oil, and it has a low viscosity and can be used in places of 5w30 motor oil. The 0w30 motor oil is a fully synthetic motor oil type, and it is also capable of enhancing and providing fuel economy because of its low friction properties.

The 0w30 motor oil will exceed the other conventional motor oils. Therefore, it can also be used in other motor oil applications. In addition, some properties make the 0w30 motor oil capable of improving fuel economy. 

The 5w30 motor oil has a higher viscosity level if you compare it to the 0w30 motor oil. Therefore, you can use it in many different types of vehicles. 

These vehicles include passenger cars, trucks, SUVs, light cans, and many others. The high viscosity will also make it more desirable for high performance.

When Should I Use 5w30 and When 0w30?

The 5w30 motor oil is suitable for automotive gasoline engines, light-duty diesel engines, and light-duty petrol engines. The motor oil will give a good flow in low temperatures, and it is also more appropriate and suitable for a cold climate. So if the motor oil will be in the vehicle’s engine in winter and you reside where the climate can get so cold, you have to use 5w30 motor oil. 

The 5w30 motor oil will thicken much more than the 0w30 motor oil. So in winter, the most suitable motor oil is the 0w30 motor oil. In winter, the temperature can be freezing, and the 0w30 motor oil will work better and faster because the 0w30 motor oil can get hot.

5w30 vs. 0w30 Engine Oil Differences

5w30 vs 0w30 Toyota

The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. The 0w30 motor oil is not included in the recommendation list of Toyota engines. A 5w30 motor oil can get thicker than a 0w30 motor oil because the 0w30 motor oil is thinner. 

So in winter, 0w30 motor oil will be a lot more suitable to use. Refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended motor oil for your vehicle.

5w30 vs 0w30 Nissan

The recommended motor oil for Nissan vehicles is 5w30 and 10w30. There is no 0w30 motor oil in their recommendation list. The 5w30 motor oil is thicker than the 0w30 motor oil. 

In winter, 0w30 motor oil is more suitable, but they recommend 5w30 motor oil for the Nissan engine. Refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended motor oil for your vehicle.

5w30 vs 0w30 Subaru

The recommended motor oil for all Subaru engines is 0w20 and 5w30. However, there is no mention of the 0w30 motor oil in their recommendation list. 

In winter, you can use 0w30 motor oil, but it will still depend on your vehicle if you can use this motor oil. Refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended motor oil for your vehicle.

5w30 vs 0w30 Mazda

Almost all the vehicles and SUVs of Mazda will need 0w20 motor oil. Their lone standout might be used with some 5w30. Unfortunately, there is no 0w30 motor oil in their recommendation list. 

The 0w30 motor oil is said to be very suitable to use in cold weather in the winter. However, you should still refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended motor oil for your vehicle.

5w30 vs 0w30 BMW

For all BMW engines, they are recommending 5w30 motor oil. The 0w30 motor oil is not within their recommendation list. 

But the 0w30 motor oil is most suitable to use in cold weather in the winter. You should still refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended motor oil for your vehicle.

5w30 vs 0w30 Ford

According to the 2020 ford owner’s manual, almost all of their engines must be using a 5w30 motor oil or 0w30 motor oil. However, there is no mention of the motor oil 0w30 in their recommended motor oils for Ford engines. 

0w30 motor oil is said to be preferable in winter weather.  But you should refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended motor oil for your vehicle.

5w30 vs 0w30 Chevrolet

For Chevrolet, the recommended oil is 5w20, 5w30, or 10w30 in some engines. And according to the owner’s manual of a 2020 chevy, they would recommend 0w20 motor oil or 5w30 motor oil. 

There is no mention of 0w30 motor oil for Chevrolet engines. The rule of thumb is to refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended motor oil for your vehicle.

5w30 vs. 0w30 Jeep

The recommended viscosity for jeep vehicles is 0W20, 5W20, 5W30, or 10W30. The 0w30 motor oil is not included in the recommended list for jeep engines. 0w30 motor oil can be used in winter and cold temperatures, but you should still refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended motor oil for your vehicle.

5w30 vs. 0w30 Volkswagen

Their recommendation is only 5w30 and 0w20. The 0w30 motor oil is not on the recommended list. You should still refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended motor oil for your vehicle.

Summary

In summary, motor oil is essential to your vehicle. Choosing the right motor oil is as important as it is. Unfortunately, some people interchange 0w30 motor oil and 5w30 motor oil. 

They both have their differences, and they have their similarities. You should refer to your owner’s manual for the 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