{"id":346,"date":"2022-01-19T21:24:52","date_gmt":"2022-01-19T21:24:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drivehomesafe.com\/?p=346"},"modified":"2022-05-25T08:37:56","modified_gmt":"2022-05-25T15:37:56","slug":"can-i-use-5w30-instead-of-5w20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drivehomesafe.com\/can-i-use-5w30-instead-of-5w20\/","title":{"rendered":"Can I Use 5W30 Instead of 5W20?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Oil viscosity is an important parameter when it comes to measuring the flow of oil. In fact, it is applicable to all fluids in general. A fluid with low viscosity is called thin and it tends to flow relatively more easily. For example, water has low viscosity when compared to molasses which is why it flows a lot easier than the latter.<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to motor oil, this is an important parameter. Let\u2019s see why and how you should pick yours.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/drivehomesafe.com\/can-i-use-5w30-instead-of-5w20\/#The-Importance-of-Oil-Viscosity\" title=\"The Importance of Oil Viscosity\">The Importance of Oil Viscosity<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/drivehomesafe.com\/can-i-use-5w30-instead-of-5w20\/#5W20-vs-5W30-How-They-Compare\" title=\"5W20 vs 5W30: How They Compare\">5W20 vs 5W30: How They Compare<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/drivehomesafe.com\/can-i-use-5w30-instead-of-5w20\/#Winter-Rating\" title=\"Winter Rating\">Winter Rating<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/drivehomesafe.com\/can-i-use-5w30-instead-of-5w20\/#Gas-Mileage\" title=\"Gas Mileage\">Gas Mileage<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/drivehomesafe.com\/can-i-use-5w30-instead-of-5w20\/#Temperature-Range\" title=\"Temperature Range\">Temperature Range<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/drivehomesafe.com\/can-i-use-5w30-instead-of-5w20\/#What-Happens-If-You-Mix-Them-Up\" title=\"What Happens If You Mix Them Up?\">What Happens If You Mix Them Up?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/drivehomesafe.com\/can-i-use-5w30-instead-of-5w20\/#5W20-instead-of-5W30\" title=\"5W20 instead of 5W30\">5W20 instead of 5W30<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/drivehomesafe.com\/can-i-use-5w30-instead-of-5w20\/#5W30-instead-of-5W20\" title=\"5W30 instead of 5W20\">5W30 instead of 5W20<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/drivehomesafe.com\/can-i-use-5w30-instead-of-5w20\/#The-Bottom-Line\" title=\"The Bottom Line\">The Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The-Importance-of-Oil-Viscosity\"><\/span>The Importance of Oil Viscosity<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The viscosity number of motor oil is somewhere in between water and molasses. But <a href=\"https:\/\/drivehomesafe.com\/which-engine-oil-to-choose-and-how-frequent-change\/\">you need to pick the right one<\/a> for your automobile to make sure that the flow is not disrupted by the changes in the temperature. Now that we know what it\u2019s about, let\u2019s dive into some specifics.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5W20-vs-5W30-How-They-Compare\"><\/span>5W20 vs 5W30: How They Compare<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The W in the description of these oils refers to winter. The 5 before the W denotes the viscosity in cold temperatures. The 20 and 30 next to the tell you how the oil behaves when it is at operating temperature (around 100 degrees Celsius). But the first thing to know is the 5W20 is the thinner oil under normal operating temperatures. The lower the number, the thinner the oil.<\/p>\n<p>Both these oils are quite popular for cars. So, which one should you pick? Generally, picking whichever oil viscosity is recommended by the manufacturer is a safe bet for which you should go with. However, there are certain instances where you might want to use a slightly different oil viscosity.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s what you need to know about how these two motor oils do in comparison. There are three factors we would like you to look at. Here we go.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Winter-Rating\"><\/span>Winter Rating<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You want to know how the motor oil of your choice does when the temperature falls. For both 5W20 and 5W30, the winter rating is the same. Their viscosity is roughly the same when you go to start the car, which is good news. But it is worth noting that when the temperature is about 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 Celsius), 5W30\u2019s viscosity is a bit higher when compared to that of 5W20.<\/p>\n<p>So, under normal operating temperatures of the engine, 5W30 will be thicker which means there will be more resistance with respect to its flow. Now, that should not be a problem except the horsepower and the fuel economy of your vehicle may be a bit lower than you might expect, if your vehicle is designed to operate with 5W20 from the factory.<\/p>\n<p>In some instances, using the wrong oil could lead to engine damage. That is because the components of the internal engine are sometimes designed specifically for a certain oil viscosity. That is why you should go with what the manufacturer recommends.<\/p>\n<p>Some vehicles will actually call for two different oil weights depending on your climate. You can find this information for your vehicle in the owner&#8217;s manual.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Gas-Mileage\"><\/span>Gas Mileage<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Speaking of mileage, the thing to remember is that motor oil with low viscosity does better when it comes to the fuel efficiency of a car. That\u2019s because the oil with lower viscosity creates a nice and thin layer of protection between the parts of the engine under regular temperatures. This is one reason many newer vehicles call for 5W20, or even 0W20 from the factory.<\/p>\n<p>The thinner layer of protection reduces any possible friction between the different parts of the engine without slowing the rotating assembly too much. Think of it as the difference between stirring water and stirring honey. Thinner oils may also improve the performance of the engine if the engine is designed to run them, hence improving the gas mileage and fuel efficiency of the car.<\/p>\n<p>This, of course, is general advice and you should always prioritize the recommendation of the manufacturer. Typically, 5W20 is a good option but only if you are operating under low or moderate temperatures.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Temperature-Range\"><\/span>Temperature Range<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The format 5W20 or 30 is a sign that you are looking at multi-grade oil. You should be able to predict by now that 5W30 does better than 5W20 when it comes to higher temperatures because it is thicker.<\/p>\n<p>It is a robust option that does not get too thin when engine temperatures rise because it is built for those conditions. As a result, your engine will be safe in high temperatures and when there is moderate oil pressure.<\/p>\n<p>If your vehicle is designed to run on 5W20, consider stepping up to 5W30 if you plan to run the vehicle hard, such as at a track day, high performance driver&#8217;s education (HPDE), or autocross event. Racing applications often call for thicker oil.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What-Happens-If-You-Mix-Them-Up\"><\/span>What Happens If You Mix Them Up?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Here are two scenarios: using 5W20 instead of 30 and the other way round. Both of them have different results and this is what you need to know.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5W20-instead-of-5W30\"><\/span>5W20 instead of 5W30<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If you are using 5W20 instead of 5w30, you would be putting the internal components of your vehicle\u2019s engine at risk. For one, your engine is made in such a way that it works best with 5w30. That\u2019s why the manufacturer recommended it in the first place. You should generally never switch to a thinner oil than what is recommended from the factory.<\/p>\n<p>And even though both the motor oils have the same rating for winter, you want to make sure you get the right one because using 5W30 instead of 5W20 in winter means that you end up with a thinner oil when the engine is back to its normal operating temperatures. This may allow for faster engine wear.<\/p>\n<p>The lower viscosity in some motor oils is meant to reduce the flow resistance in colder temperatures. High viscosity oils, on the other hand, give better protection to the internal components of the engine when the outside temperatures are high.<\/p>\n<p>You will find the best option for your engine in the owner&#8217;s manual given by the manufacturer. Typically, this decision is made based on viscosity rating is a critical aspect too. The manual will also tell you if there are any other oil grades that suit your engine.<\/p>\n<p>Aside from causing damage to the engine, the wrong type or grade of oil may also void your powertrain warranty.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5W30-instead-of-5W20\"><\/span>5W30 instead of 5W20<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If you go the other way, which is using 5W30 instead of 5W20, you will end up with an oil that is thicker than the manufacturer calls for. If your engine is running on the hotter side of normal, this may be perfectly acceptable for your use case.<\/p>\n<p>In some cases, however, the manufacturer makes this exception because, as you now know, 5W30 works well in higher temperatures and won\u2019t break down like 5W20, which is comparatively a thinner oil. Heavier oils like 5W30 also need more heat so that they flow through the engine better. Stepping up to a thicker oil is not recommended for all engines.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The-Bottom-Line\"><\/span>The Bottom Line<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When you start researching motor oils, you will also see that there are now varieties that have multiple viscosities. This means that there is a window of temperatures in which they function efficiently. Of course, this is not applicable in temperatures over 120 degrees Fahrenheit.<\/p>\n<p>But for future reference, using 5W20 instead of 5W30 is not the best idea. Neither is it the other way round, unless you know what you&#8217;re doing and have a good reason for changing viscosities. You want to make sure that you check with the manufacturer or a good mechanic if you are planning to make the switch.<\/p>\n<p>Most of it has to do with the temperatures in which you will be using your vehicle. That\u2019s what your mechanic will tell you. But they might be able to get into the specifics of your circumstances.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Oil viscosity is an important parameter when it comes to measuring the flow of oil. In fact, it is applicable to all fluids in general. A fluid with low viscosity is called thin and it tends to flow relatively more easily. For example, water has low viscosity when compared to molasses which is why it &#8230; <a title=\"Can I Use 5W30 Instead of 5W20?\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/drivehomesafe.com\/can-i-use-5w30-instead-of-5w20\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Can I Use 5W30 Instead of 5W20?\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":475,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[19,18],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/drivehomesafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/346"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/drivehomesafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/drivehomesafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drivehomesafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drivehomesafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=346"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/drivehomesafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/346\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":590,"href":"https:\/\/drivehomesafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/346\/revisions\/590"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drivehomesafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/475"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/drivehomesafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=346"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drivehomesafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=346"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drivehomesafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=346"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}