One of the things about automobiles that confuse me the most is motor oil.
I still remember when I got my first car, I was totally clueless about the concept of motor oils. I somewhat wrapped my mind around the fact that my car needs the motor oil to function properly, and my job was to change the oil in the stated frequency.
But recently, my neighbor Ruby came up to me and asked if it was okay to use the 5w30 variant instead of the 5w20 variant that her car asks for. I was taken aback by the question, and it made me realize that I do need to learn more about motor oils.
Quick research on the internet helped me to know more about the use case of motor oils. However, I was surprised to see that, along with Ruby, others also have similar questions pertaining to the use of these lubricants. And, even though I didn't get a clear-cut answer to Ruby's query, I knew that the two motor oils could be interchangeably used.
Hi! I'm Stacy Smith, and today I will tell you everything on the topic of 5w20 vs 5w30. Without further ado, let's begin.
5W20 Vs 5W30
Understanding Motor Oils
Take a trip to the auto parts store, and you would be amazed to see the sheer number of engine oils available today. On top of that, each motor oil comes in variants such as extended performance, high mileage, and others based on the claims made by a brand.
However, leaving these aside, you have to remember that the code present on the bottle denotes the weight or viscosity of the motor oil. These classifications have been established by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) based on testing the motor oils in hot and cold conditions.
It's essential to test out the viscosity of the motor oil in different temperatures to ensure that the car's engine will run even when there has been a change in the weather.
You'll notice that the SAE motor oil code has the letter 'W' in it, which stands for winter. Any number placed before the letter stands for the viscosity or thinness of the oil when it's cold. In contrast, the numbers present after it denotes the viscosity of the oil when it heats up.
In recent years, SAE and other automobile organizations have started to recommend the usage of thinner motor oils to reduce fuel wastage. But, some people still think that it's better to use an oil that's slightly thicker to get better lubrication.
Nevertheless, if you're new to having a car, it's better to use the motor oil recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. And, the SAE code is usually mentioned on the motor oil cap.
The two most common motor oils are 5w20 and 5w30. So, you can understand that when heated, the 5w30 behaves thicker compared to the 5w20 variant. Yet, the viscosities of both oils are alike at a cooler temperature.
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Can You Alternate 5w20 And 5w30?
Like my neighbor Ruby, many people ask if they can interchange between the two oils. It can be because of many reasons, but the most common one is the availability of motor oils. I have noticed that both motor oils are widely available from various brands, but the situation might not be the same in other areas.
As the grades of both motor oils are quite close to each other, people often think that there's no harm in alternating between the two. The question also comes from people with multiple cars, who may want to buy only one motor oil to save some money.
After going through the suggestions from automobile experts, I concluded that it's best to use the motor oil that the car manufacturer has recommended. Moreover, it's even better if you can use the brand of oil suggested for the vehicle.
Why Shouldn’t You Alternate Between The Motor Oils?
The simplest answer to this question is that the health of your car's motor might be affected when you use the wrong lubricant.
When a thicker oil is used during an oil change, it can cause friction between the parts, which eats up energy leading to wastage of fuel. And, it can even lead to oil leaks or result in a burning smell in the motor.
In contrast, when you use a thinner oil like 5w20 in place of 5w30, it can fail to provide adequate lubrication to the motor parts, and the car may even fail to start. Motor oils with the wrong viscosity may, in turn, harm the vehicle's engine when there is a sudden temperature change.
Frequently Asked Questions
When in an emergency, you can try to mix motor oils from different brands. But, make sure that they have the same composition as well as the same viscosity code. So, if your car requires the 5w30 motor oil, you can mix the same lubricant offered by brands like Mobil, Castrol, and others.
And, do note if all of them have a base made of fully synthetic oils. However, don't try to mix between different brands for your usual oil change. At the end of the day, it’s best to use the brand of motor oil mentioned in your car manual.
Before the SAE came up with multi-viscosity/multigrade motor oils, most motor oils were classified by a single grade. These are also known as straight weight oils and are available in different levels of viscosity.
As the modern engines started adapting to multi-viscosity oils, the single variants fell out of popularity. But, if you happen to have an old car, then a single-grade motor oil like SAE 30 might be required.
Final Words
I hope that this guide about motor oils will help you to make a better choice. If possible, stay away from interchanging motor oils, or at least stick to one that’s closest to the variant recommended for your car.Â
However, make sure to get help from an auto mechanic if you’re still unsure about the motor oil to use in your car. Also, do let me know if you have any queries regarding the difference between 5w20 and 5w30 motor oils.Â
Till then, goodbye and take care!