You should protect your engine from any damages. This is to ensure that your engine will still be in good condition. To do that, you should use the correct type of motor oil for your engine.
If you pick the wrong motor oil for your engine, it will affect your vehicle’s performance. You can find a lot of motor oils in the market. You might be overwhelmed with your choices.
These motor oils are different in their viscosity, thickness, and capacity to endure high temperatures. Each vehicle has a recommended motor oil. Therefore, it is essential to use the recommended motor oil for your vehicle.
With that, you might also be confused with a 5w30 motor oil and 10w30 motor oil. These motor oils are sometimes interchanged, but can they be swapped?
In this article, we will focus on the differences between 5w30 motor oil and 10w30 motor oil. Keep reading to know more.
Table of Contents
What Is the Difference Between 5w30 and 10w30 Oil?
5w30 motor oil and 10w30 motor oil have their differences, and they also have similarities. So let us focus first on the differences between 5w30 motor oil and 10w30 motor oil in viscosity, hot weather, and fuel economy.
Viscosity
The 5w30 motor oil has low viscosity, and the 10w30 motor oil has high viscosity. The numbers in the ratings of both motor oils refer to the viscosity of the oil. The w also stands for winter.
Fuel Economy
The SAE ratings 5w30 motor oil and 10w30 motor oil are the same. This means that both of these motor oils will work the same in operating temperatures. As a result, they will also have the same result in fuel economy.
The number thirty (30) will indicate the motor oil’s thickness if it reaches a specific operating temperature. The 5w30 motor oil and 10w30 motor oil also have the same viscosity in cold weather.
This means that the 5w30 motor oil will flow in low temperatures effectively. On the other hand, the 10w30 motor oil will also flow effectively in high temperatures.
Hot Weather
The 10w30 motor oil is multigrade, and they are for heavy load engines. This is because they can endure hot temperatures for an extended period. And this is done without compromising the performance of the vehicle.
The 10w30 motor oil has a viscosity grade, often in low temperatures and thirty for high temperatures. The 5w30 motor oil will work within a temperature range of thirty degrees Celcius to thirty-five degrees Celsius. This motor oil is also thinner in low temperatures.
The 10w30 motor oil will work within the temperature range of one to eighteen degrees Celsius to thirty degrees Celsius. This motor oil is also thicker at lower temperatures.
Can I Use 5w30 Instead of 10w30?
You should refer to your owner’s manual. Look for your owner’s manual and find the answer there. The rule of thumb is to read the manual.
The 5w30 motor oil and 10w30 motor oil are both thirty-weight oils, and they have the same thickness in your vehicle if it is at operating temperature. The 5w30 motor oil is better because this oil will thicken less if it is cold. However, there is eighty percent wear that can occur upon startup.
The thin oil will get to the top end faster. So again, refer to your owner’s manual. Your vehicle manufacturer knows the answer more than anyone.
Related: Can you mix 5w30 and 10w30?
Accidentally Used 5w30 Instead of 10w30: Is It Ok?
Yes, it is okay. There are no severe damages that can happen to your engine, so there will not be many results if you have accidentally used 5w30 motor oil instead of 10w30 motor oil. If your vehicle’s engine does not leak any oil with the new motor oil, then you will be fine.
5w30 vs 10w30 High Mileage
A 5w30 motor oil is best used for high mileage vehicles. On the other hand, a 10s30 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, 5w30 or 10w30 Oil?
This depends on your vehicle, your driving conditions, and some other factors that have to be considered. Both the 10w30 motor oil and the 5w30 motor oil are suitable. However, if you want good performance, it is essential to understand that these motor oils will work in a given ambiance.
The 5w30 motor oil is suitable for any season. It will offer maximum protection in the summer and winter seasons. Motor oil will also provide a good fuel economy.
It will also produce a minimal drag on your bearings. The 10w30 motor oil will also offer you improved sealing capabilities. However, you should always use the motor oil that is recommended by your owner’s manual.
That is the best way to protect your engine. With the right motor oil, you will have an efficient operation and get good mileage. There are
When Should I Use 5w30 and When 10w30?
The location of where you are residing is a significant factor in determining the right and suitable motor oil for your vehicle. Multigrade oils are made to perform in warm climates and winter climates effectively. But the 5w30 motor oil will get thin if you live in a location with shallow temperatures.
This will make the oil have all the components, making your vehicle perform better in winter times. So the 10w30 motor oil will flow effectively in high-temperature locations and hot summers. The difference between 5w30 motor oil and 10w30 motor oil is the cold flowability.
The 10w30 motor oil will move slower than the 5w30 motor oil when doing cold startups. This is because both 5w30 motor oil and 10w30 motor oil will have the same viscosity in operating temperatures. Therefore, they will flow in the same manner.
If your motor oil will be in the engine during winter, use 5w30 motor oil. In the summer, you can use 10w30 motor oil. Remember always to use the oil’s weight recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer and in your owner’s manual.
5w30 vs 10w30 Toyota
The recommended motor oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. Unfortunately, there is no 10w30 motor oil in their recommendation list. You can use 10w30 motor oil for hot weather, but it is still the best choice to look for your owner’s manual and read the recommended motor oil for you.
5w30 vs. 10w30 Nissan
The recommended motor oil for Nissan vehicles is 5w30 and 10w30. So you can use both of these oils for your Nissan engines. You can still refer to your owner’s manual for the specific motor oil, but you can interchange them if you want.
5w30 vs 10w30 Subaru
The recommended motor oil for all Subaru engines is 0w20 and 5w30. There is no mention of 10w30 in the recommendation list for Subaru engines.
10w30 motor oil is used in superior sealing action. The best choice is to look for your owner’s manual and read the recommended motor oil for you.
5w30 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 10w30 motor oil is not in the recommended list of motor oils for Mazda engines. You can use it if you want to, but the best choice is to look for your owner’s manual and read the recommended motor oil for you.
5w0 vs. 10w30 BMW
For all BMW engines, they are recommending 5w30 motor oil. There is no mention of 10w30 motor oil in the recommended list for BMW engines.
You can use it if you want to, but you should be aware that it is not encouraged. The best choice is to look for your owner’s manual and read the recommended motor oil for you.
5w30 vs 10w30 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. The 10w30 motor oil is not in the recommendation list of Ford engines.
You can use it if you want to, but it is not recommended. The best choice is to look for your owner’s manual and read the recommended motor oil for you.
5w30 vs 10w30 Chevrolet
For Chevrolet, the recommended oil is 5w20, 5w30, or 10w30 in some engines. Therefore, you can use both of these oils for your Chevrolet because they are included in the recommended list for Chevrolet engines. You can use them both but still refer to the owner’s manual of your specific vehicle, which of these two is the one recommended for your specific vehicle.
5w30 vs. 10w30 Jeep
The recommended viscosity for jeep vehicles is 0W20, 5W20, 5W30, or 10W30. This means that you can use both of these oils for your jeep engines.
5w30 vs. 10w30 Volkswagen
Their recommendation is only 5w30 and 0w20. There is no mention of the 10w30 motor oil for Volkswagen engines. So you have to stick with what is recommended.
Summary
In summary, picking the right and recommended motor oil for your engine is very important. The motor oil will determine the performance and the condition of your vehicle.
The 5w30 motor oil and the 10w30 motor oil are sometimes interchanged. This is because it depends on the recommendation of your vehicle if you can use both of these motor oils.
Related:
Resources
Image credits – Canva
