5w40 vs. 5w50 Engine Oil: Differences and Can You Swap Them?

Motor oil is used for almost all automobiles. These automobiles are motorcycles, generators, cars, and many other machines. Motor oil will reduce wear in all the engines. 

They will lubricate the moving parts in your engine. Motor oils are considered to be the identifier of how long your engine will survive. Motor oil is used in a way that provides lubrication for internal combustion engines. 

Motor oils are a vital fluid for your engine. They will help you prevent any tear and wear that you can have from the moving parts in your engine, especially if your vehicle is running. In addition, motor oil will also cool down your engine and prevent it from overheating. 

They do this by diverting the heat that is coming from the moving parts of your vehicle. So as a car driver, you should know the vital role that motor oils play in your engine. It is also essential to know about the different motor oils and how they differ from each other. 

So in this article, we’ll be focusing on 5w40 motor oil and 5w50 motor oil. We will be comparing these two, know if they can be swapped, and get to know them more. Let us start!

5w40 vs. 5w50 Engine Oil

What Is the Difference Between 5w40 and 5w50 Oil?

First, let us differentiate 5w40 motor oil and 5w50 motor oil in fuel economy, hot weather, and viscosity.

Viscosity

The 5w40 motor oil has five for its oil viscosity at zero degrees Celsius. The w means winter, and the forty is the viscosity at one hundred degrees Celsius. 

The main difference between 5w40 motor oil and 5w50 motor oil is their velocity. The fifty is thicker than the forty.

Fuel Economy

Picking between 5w40 motor oil and 5w50 motor oil, the 5w50 motor oil is much better, but it can be more expensive. It also has a higher viscosity index. This means that its viscosity is less dependent on the temperature. 

The 5w50 motor oil also has longer life. With this, it means that the engine will extend its mileage in between the motor oil changes. 

As a result, this will protect the engine of the user in extreme conditions. If 5w40 motor oil and 5w50 motor oil are at low temperatures, they will have similar properties.

Hot Weather

It is more recommended to use 5w40 motor oil if you have a new vehicle. But this will depend on the area of where the vehicle is. For hot areas, the manufacturers would recommend a specific motor oil. 

If you live in Canada, where the temperature is cold, there will be a different type of motor oil. This is because the viscosity of the motor oil is the weight of the motor oil. This means that the higher the number is, the thicker the motor oil will be. 

So the 5w40 motor oil will operate like a weighted oil operating in low temperatures. This means that it will flow easily. However, in hot temperatures or weather, the 5w40 motor oil will provide more protection.

Can I Use 5w40 Instead of 5w50?

Yes, you can if you want to, and if you have no other choice, the recommendation is to use the motor oil recommended by your manufacturer. The 5w50 motor oil is good in hot conditions. It is also fully synthetic, and it can work efficiently in between the fifty. 

The 5w40 motor oil also has an advantage, and it can be used as an option if the other one fails to find 5w50 motor oil. But the rule of thumb is to always refer to your owner’s manual.

Accidentally Used 5w40 Instead of 5w50: Is It Ok?

Yes, it is okay in the sense that nothing wrong will happen, and there will be no significant damages to your engine. However, there is a good reason why every vehicle is a recommended motor oil for them. Therefore, you must follow this recommendation.

5w40 vs 5w50 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, the 5w50 motor oil can also be a good choice for a high mileage car. This is because the tolerances can tend to be consistent because the 5w50 motor oil is on higher viscosity. It also creates thick oil and protects the engine. 

Which Is Better, 5w40 or 5w50 Oil?

This will depend on the conditions of use. For everyday driving in standard motors, the 5w40 motor oil will shoot itself perfectly. However, in sports driving, the 5w50 motor is much better. 

But again, you should always follow the recommendation of your motor oil. If you increase the viscosity, it can be risky. 

So before you decide on this, know the risks. So the better motor oil will be the motor oil that your vehicle manufacturer recommends.

When Should I Use 5w40 And When 5w50?

The 5w50 motor oil is a good option for high mileage vehicles. The 5w50 motor oil has a higher viscosity, and it will produce a thicker oil film in protecting your engine. At the same time, the 5w50 motor oil must not be used if your manufacturer does not recommend it. 

There might be specific scenarios where you have to use 5w40 motor oil or 5w50 motor oil, but this will still depend if your vehicle manufacturer will recommend these motor oils.

5w40 vs. 5w50

5w40 vs. 5w50 Toyota

The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. The 5w40 motor oil and 5w50 motor oil are not included in the recommended list. 

But you can use 5w40 for starting your engine at a low temperature. You can use a 5W50 motor oil in classic or collector cars and high operating temperatures. Still, refer to your owner’s manual.

5w40 vs. 5w50 Nissan

The recommended motor oil for Nissan vehicles is 5w30 and 10w30. The 5w40 motor oil and 5w50 motor oil are not included in the recommended list. 

But you can use 5w40 for starting your engine at a low temperature. You can use a 5W50 motor oil in classic or collector cars and high operating temperatures.

5w40 vs. 5w50 Subaru

The recommended motor oil for all Subaru engines is 0w20 and 5w30. The 5w40 motor oil and 5w50 motor oil are not included in the recommended list. 

But you can use 5w40 for starting your engine in low temperatures. You can use a 5W50 motor oil in classic or collector cars and high operating temperatures.

5w40 vs. 5w50 Mazda

Almost all the vehicles and SUVs of Mazda will need 0w20 motor oil. Their lone standout might be used with some 5w30. The 5w40 motor oil and 5w50 motor oil are not included in the recommended list. 

But you can use 5w40 for starting your engine at a low temperature. You can use a 5W50 motor oil in classic or collector cars and high operating temperatures. But you must follow the recommended motor oil for your engine.

5w40 vs. 5w50 BMW

For all BMW engines, they are recommending 5w30 motor oil. The 5w40 motor oil and 5w50 motor oil are not included in the recommended list. 

But you can use 5w40 for starting your engine at a low temperature. You can use a 5W50 motor oil in classic or collector cars and high operating temperatures.

5w40 vs. 5w50 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 5w50 motor oil are not included in the recommended list. But you can use 5w40 for starting your engine at a low temperature. 

You can use a 5W50 motor oil in classic or collector cars and high operating temperatures. Still, refer to your owner’s manual.

5w40 vs. 5w50 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 5w50 motor oil are not included in the recommended list. 

But you can use 5w40 for starting your engine at a low temperature. You can use a 5W50 motor oil in classic or collector cars and high operating temperatures. But you must follow the recommended motor oil for your engine.

5w40 vs. 5w50 Jeep

The recommended viscosity for jeep vehicles is 0W20, 5W20, 5W30, or 10W30. The 5w40 motor oil and 5w50 motor oil are not included in the recommended list. 

But you can use 5w40 for starting your engine in low temperatures. You can use a 5W50 motor oil in classic or collector cars and high operating temperatures.

5w40 vs. 5w50 Volkswagen

Their recommendation is only 5w30 and 0w20. Therefore, the 5w40 motor oil and 5w50 motor oil are not included in the recommended list. 

But you can use 5w40 for starting your engine in low temperatures. You can use a 5W50 motor oil in classic or collector cars and high operating temperatures.

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 5w40 motor oil and the 5w50 motor oil are sometimes interchanged. Refer to the recommendation of your vehicle if you can use both of these motor oils.

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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