Motor oils are the hero of internal combustion engines. The engine of your vehicle has many moving parts, and they grind and bump into each other. There will be much grinding and overheating if you do not have a protective layer of motor oil to lubricate these moving parts.
Eventually, it will lead to an engine failure. Even if you have the best engines, they can still get damaged if they do not have lubricant.
So in this article, we will discuss the 5w40 motor oil and the 0w40 motor oil. Let us get started.
Table of Contents
What Is the Difference Between 5w40 and 0w40 Oil?
Let us differentiate the differences between 5w40 motor oil and the 0w40 motor oil in terms of fuel economy, hot weather, price, viscosity, oil grade, and price.
Viscosity
The 0w40 motor oil is better for cold temperatures. 0w40 motor oil is less thick and is also less prone to thicken if the temperature drips.
Because this motor oil is thin and will flow easily, the 0w40 motor oil will be against any engine problems. The 5w40 motor oil will have a low-temperature thickness.
Fuel Economy
A low viscosity motor oil is sometimes linked with fuel savings. This is because the thin motor oil will be putting less strain on the pump and the other engine components. This will also allow some to conserve energy and fuel.
The 0w40 motor oil will be more fuel-efficient. But there are not many differences between 5w40 motor oil and the 0w40 motor oil with fuel efficiency. Moreover, the 0w40 motor oil is much better in the cold and ideal for fuel economy.
This motor oil can provide more lubrication and ensure that the engine parts do not strain when moving. As a result, the movements of the components will be easy and will not require much force, hence, a low fuel consumption.
Price
The price of 5w40 motor oil and the 0w40 motor oil is not very different. The price will depend on the brand, though.
Hot Weather
In high temperatures, the 5w40 motor oil and the 0w40 motor oil will have the same viscosity. They are also heat resistant. Therefore, the 5w40 motor oil and the 0w40 motor oil will still be operating in extreme heat.
Oil Grades
The 5w40 motor oil and the 0w40 motor oil are multi-grade utilities, and they will work in cold and hot surroundings. However, the 5w40 motor oil and the 0w40 motor oil will tie in forty limits in high-temperature surroundings.
In forty, the viscosity will thicken. And it will add protection to the engine.
Can I Use 5w40 Instead of 0w40?
Yes, you can, but it does not mean that you should. You must still refer to your owner’s manual. For 5w40 motor oil and the 0w40 motor oil, you can use them and interchange them.
This is because they have the same characteristics. However, you should still refer to your owner’s manual.
Accidentally Used 5w40 Instead of 0w40: Is It Ok?
Yes, it is okay, and you will not have any problems or engine failures. However, this is something that you should do as a routine.
If you have accidentally used 5w40 and it is not in the recommended list of motor oils for your engine, you can always do an oil change. However, if it is in the recommended motor oil for your engine, you do not have to worry about any damages in the future.
5w40 vs 0w40 High Mileage
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.
On the other hand, 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.
Related: Can You Mix 0w40 and 5w40 Oil?
Which Is Better, 5w40 or 0w40 Oil?
This is tricky because one motor oil is not better than the other. After all, each vehicle has its own recommended motor oil. The 5w40 motor oil and the 0w40 motor oil have the same viscosity if heated in regular engine operating temperatures.
The difference between 5w40 motor oil and the 0w40 motor oil will be on the cold weather viscosities. The 0w40 motor oil is quicker to roam around and to circle in your vehicle’s engine. Therefore, if you are in a place where the temperature is freezing and winters, then the 0w40 motor oil is better for your engine than the 5w40 motor oil.
However, if the area you live in has a mild winter, then the 0w40 motor oil might be too thin for you. With that, it will not be able to provide the right and enough protection for your engine.
When Should I Use 5w40 And When 0w40?
This depends on many factors. The 0w40 motor oil is suitable for winter conditions. It has zero viscosity if the temperature drops. It is a multi-grade motor oil with an operating thickness of forty if it is heated.
The 0w40 motor oil is flexible, and it will protect the parts of your engine if hot, and it will smoothly flow in the cold. So refer to your owner’s manual.
5w40 vs. 0w40 Toyota
The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. The 5w40 motor oil and the 0w40 motor oil are not mentioned in the recommended list. 5w40 is suitable for starting your engine at low temperatures. It will flow more quickly in this environment.
The 0w40 motor oil is a multi-grade oil, and it works well in winter conditions and moderate summer heat. Still, refer to your owner’s manual.
5w40 vs. 0w40 Nissan
The recommended motor oil for Nissan vehicles is 5w30 and 10w30. The 5w40 motor oil and the 0w40 motor oil are not mentioned in the recommended list.
5w40 is suitable for starting your engine at low temperatures. It will flow more quickly in this environment. The 0w40 motor oil is a multi-grade oil, and it works well in winter conditions and moderate summer heat.
5w40 vs. 0w40 Subaru
The commonly recommended motor oil for all Subaru engines is 0w20 and 5w30. The 5w40 motor oil and the 0w40 motor oil are not mentioned in the recommended list. 5w40 is suitable for starting your engine at low temperatures.
It will flow more quickly in this environment. The 0w40 motor oil is a multi-grade oil, and it works well in winter conditions and moderate summer heat.
5w40 vs. 0w40 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 5w40 motor oil and the 0w40 motor oil are not mentioned in the recommended list. 5w40 is suitable for starting your engine at low temperatures. It will flow more quickly in this environment.
The 0w40 motor oil is a multi-grade oil, and it works well in winter conditions and moderate summer heat. Still, refer to your owner’s manual.
5w40 vs. 0w40 BMW
For all BMW engines, they are recommending 5w30 motor oil. The 5w40 motor oil and the 0w40 motor oil are not mentioned in the recommended list. 5w40 is suitable for starting your engine at low temperatures.
It will flow more quickly in this environment. The 0w40 motor oil is a multi-grade oil, and it works well in winter conditions and moderate summer heat.
5w40 vs. 0w40 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 5w40 motor oil and the 0w40 motor oil are not mentioned in the recommended list. 5w40 is suitable for starting your engine at low temperatures.
It will flow more quickly in this environment. The 0w40 motor oil is a multi-grade oil, and it works well in winter conditions and moderate summer heat. Look for your owner’s manual for the recommended motor oil.
5w40 vs 0w40 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. The 5w40 motor oil and the 0w40 motor oil are not mentioned in the recommended list.
5w40 is suitable for starting your engine at low temperatures. This is because it will flow more quickly in this environment.
The 0w40 motor oil is a multi-grade oil, and it works well in winter conditions and moderate summer heat. Still, refer to your owner’s manual.
5w40 vs. 0w40 Jeep
The recommended viscosity for jeep vehicles is 0W20, 5W20, 5W30, or 10W30. The 5w40 motor oil and the 0w40 motor oil are not mentioned in the recommended list.
5w40 is suitable for starting your engine at low temperatures. It will flow more quickly in this environment.
The 0w40 motor oil is a multi-grade oil, and it works well in winter conditions and moderate summer heat. Look for your owner’s manual for the recommended motor oil.
5w40 vs. 0w40 Volkswagen
Their recommendation is only 5w30 and 0w20. The 5w40 motor oil and the 0w40 motor oil are not mentioned in the recommended list. 5w40 is suitable for starting your engine at low temperatures. It will flow more quickly in this environment.
The 0w40 motor oil is a multi-grade oil, and it works well in winter conditions and moderate summer heat. Look for your owner’s manual for the recommended motor oil.
Summary
In summary, 5w40 motor oil and 0w40 motor oil are alike and compatible to be swapped. The best rule is always to follow what your owner’s manual recommends.
Each manufacturer will have a recommended motor oil for your engine. They know best because they are the ones who produced the vehicle.
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