A motor oil offers the needed lubrication for the moving parts of any engine. The motor oil will act as a lubricant. 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 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 oil you choose is just as important. The 5w30 motor oil and the 10w40 motor oil have been interchanged a lot.
People are also curious about the differences between these motor oils. In this article, we will be talking about the differences between these motor oils. Let us get started.
Table of Contents
What Is the Difference Between 5w30 and 10w40 Oil?
The numbers on the oil represent the viscosity of the oil. Therefore, if you choose motor oil, you should always choose the right and suitable motor oil for your vehicle.
Every manufacturer is also recommending a specific motor oil. So now, let us differentiate the 5w30 motor oil and the 10w40 motor oil in terms of viscosity, hot weather, and fuel economy.
Viscosity
The first number in the name of the oil represents the viscosity of the oil when cold. The cold viscosity is referring to the thickness of the oil upon a cold start of the engine. The motor oil’s cold viscosity is essential because it will dictate the lubrication.
For example, a 10w40 motor oil will be a lot thicker at startup than the 5w30 motor oil. This means that the 10w40 motor oil will cling to the engine’s moving parts more than the low viscosity of the 5w30 motor oil.
Fuel Economy
The automobile manufacturers are persuading engineers to increase the fuel economy so that they will meet the regulations of the government and so that they can also provide an edge to their competitors. The thinner motor oil like 5w30 will be providing less friction in the engine.
As a result, it will have an increased fuel economy. However, some manufacturers would always recommend using a thinner oil. A thick motor oil like 10w40 will provide a more solid lubricant and compensate for the excess wear of high mileage engines.
Hot Weather
The second number on the name of the motor oils describes the oil’s viscosity if the engine is warm. Of course, a warm viscosity will be a lot heavier because of the requirement of the engine.
For example, the 10w40 motor oil will cling to the moving part of the engine more than the 5w30 motor oil. This means that the 20w40 motor oil is thicker if the engine is running.
Can I Use 5w30 Instead of 10w40?
This depends on so many things. 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.
The 5w30 motor oil is synthetic, and it has a viscosity of five (5) in low temperatures and thirty (30) in high temperatures. The 5w30 motor oil has a viscosity of thirty (30) in high temperatures. On the other hand, the 10w40 motor oil’s viscosity is forty (40) in high temperatures.
Related: Can you mix 5w30 and 10w40?
Accidentally Used 5w30 Instead of 10w40: Is It Ok?
It depends on a lot of things. There are no significant damages, but the main difference is between the 5w30 motor oil and the 10w40 motor oil is the viscosity difference at specific temperatures.
The number of the oil is showing a lot of different viscosity in high and low temperatures. The letter w means winter. The 5w30 motor oil is thinner than the 10w40 motor oil.
5w30 vs 10w40 High Mileage
A 5w30 motor oil is best used for high mileage vehicles. On the other hand, a 10w40 motor oil is recommended to be used for high mileage vehicles.
The 10w40 motor oil is more vicious and thicker and thicker oils will help older engines to handle high temperatures and even manage to avoid wear and tear. If the motor oil will be thicker, it will reduce more tear and wear and provide an extension to the life of your engine.
Which Is Better, 5w30 or 10w40 Oil?
In choosing the right motor oil for your vehicle’s engine, there are a lot of choices. First, however, you have to choose one that is right for your vehicle.
The answer to this question will depend on your vehicle and a lot more factors. The rule of thumb, though, is to look for your owner’s manual.
When should I use 5w30 and when 10w40?
The rule of thumb here is to use 5w30 motor oil if your owner’s manual would recommend 5w30, and you should use 10w40 motor oil if your owner’s manual recommends 10w40 motor oil. This is because a thinner oil like the 5w30 motor oil will be providing less friction to the engine.
This will then increase the fuel economy. In addition, using thicker oil like the 10w40 motor oil will also provide the engine parts a lot of lubrication.
5w30 vs. 10w40 Toyota
The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. There is no recommendation about the 10w40 motor oil for Toyota engines, but you can still use it if you want. However, 10w40 is better suited for hot weather or heavy loads.
5w30 vs. 10w40 Nissan
The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. 10w40 motor oil is not recommended for Nissan engines. However, 10w40 is suitable for hot weather or heavy loads.
5w30 vs 10w40 Subaru
The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. There is no recommendation for the 10w40 motor for Subaru engines because 10w40 is best used in hot weather or heavy loads.
5w30 vs. 10w40 Mazda
The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. The 10w40 motor oil is not in the recommendation list for Mazda vehicles, but as a guide, 10w40 is preferable for hot weather or heavy loads.
5w30 vs 10w40 BMW
The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. However, 10w40 is better suited for hot weather or heavy loads.
5w30 vs 10w40 Ford
The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. Unfortunately, the 10w40 motor oil is not on the recommended list. But 10w40 is suited for hot weather or heavy loads.
5w30 vs 10w40 Chevrolet
The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. However, the motor oil 10w40 motor oil is not on the recommendation list. But 10w40 can be used for hot weather or heavy loads.
5w30 vs. 10w40 Jeep
The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. There is no mention of 10w40 motor oil in the recommendation list. 10w40 is most used in hot weather or heavy loads.
5w30 vs. 10w40 Volkswagen
The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. However, 10w40 is better suited for hot weather or heavy loads, and it is not included in the recommendation list of Volkswagen.
Summary
In summary, people interchange 5w30 motor oil and 10w40 motor oil. People are also confused if it is right to change them both.
Both of these oils have their differences and their similarities. 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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