Can I put 5W30 instead of 5W20?

Using the right motor oil for your car is very important. It helps to maintain the performance of your vehicle and keeps it running smoothly. The right motor oil is also good for your car’s engine.

Most car owners take their vehicles to a mechanic for an oil change. But that shouldn’t be an excuse for you not to learn about the type of motor oils and what a car engine needs.

If you are confused between 5w30 and 5w20, we can help you make the right choice. In this post, we have covered all the details you need to know about 5w30 and 5w20 oils.

5w30 vs 5w20: All You Need To Know

Every car engine is built to run on a specific grade of motor oil. If you are not using the right grade, it can cause engine issues. Not just that, but it can also cause damage to the internal parts.

1. Oil viscosity

5w20 and 5w30 are oil ratings that indicate the viscosity of the oil. It is determined by the resistance to flow the oil under a specific temperature. Oil with higher viscosity is thicker than oils with lower-viscosity. The thing about thicker oils is that they flow easily. However, some car engines require lower viscosity to reduce oil flow resistance. This helps to boost the performance of vehicles in cold weather conditions. But you should know that oil with high viscosity provides better protection to your engine in rising temperatures.

2. Multi-Grade oil

Many types of oil have two numbers in the viscosity rating. For example, 5w-20. This indicates that the oil has two types of viscosity for two different temperature conditions. Multi-grade motor oils contain polymers that increase in size under higher temperatures. This helps in increasing the viscosity of the oil. The first number indicates the winter rating, while the second number indicates the viscosity when the oil is heated to 100 degrees.

5w30 and 5w20: What’s the difference?

The main difference between the two lies in their viscosity. The former is less viscous and thicker than the latter. When you use 5w20 motor oil in the engine, it will create less friction. That’s because it is less viscous. This means it will create less drag throughout the different engine parts such as valve train, pistons, and crankshaft. 5w20 oil is runnier and therefore, it flows from the oil pan to the other parts of the engine easily. If you live in a colder region, opting for 5w20 motor oil could be a better option for you.

Coming to 5w30 oil, it is great for hotter climates. In increased temperatures, thinner oils tend to break. The thicker the oil is, the better it will perform under higher temperatures. Also, it will not break down. 5w30 oil also provides better protection to your car’s engine. This is possibly the most common type of motor oil used by car owners. There are two main reasons behind the popularity of 5w30 oil:

• It can be used with a wide range of vehicles and engine types.
• It covers a wide range of temperatures. But it is great for hotter temperatures.

If you live in a warmer region, then you should go for 5w30 motor oil. It will make a better choice for your car.

When selecting between 5w30 and 5w20 make sure you keep all these pointers in mind. For people living in colder regions, thinner oil is a good option which means you need 5w20. But in warmer regions, a thicker oil will perform better. This means you need 5w30. This should clear all the confusion you have.