Most lubricating oils are now multigrade. The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. Everyone knows that engine oil, in addition to its main task to lubricate engine parts, to minimize its wear has a number of other functions. How to choose the best 0w-40 engine oil for your car? Thin oil will heat quickly and reach the optimum working temperature. But strictly during the summers only. Also, with a higher viscosity, it will have a lower flow rate. Following bad things can happen if you put 10w40 instead of 5w30: If you use 10w40 instead of 5w30 in a car that is not used to thick engine oil, then chances are that it wont start at all. 10w oil usually has fewer viscosity improvers. 5w40 vs. 10w40 Engine Oil: Differences and Can You Swap Them? My name is Hank, and I've been in the automotive industry for 27 years. But when the temperature is higher, both motor oils similarly perform their intended functions (using the same viscosity). But that is only under specific kinds of circumstances. 10W30 motor oil is a diverse oil that works for every situation. 5w30 has lower viscosity hence it is suitable to use in hot or lower temperatures. In the same vein, if your engine is specified to use 10w40, it is advisable to stick with that. Hi, this is Clara Lee co-founder of this beautiful website. Old engines tend to heat up very quickly. Critical engine parameters like spark timing, valve timing, and timing chain adjustment will be disturbed if you use 10w40 instead of 5w30. And as much as motor oil is essential for your engine. 10w40 oil can be the best choice for the lawnmower. Can You Use Regular Gas In Lawn Mower Engines? It will maintain its film strength, and it will also keep the engine oil pressure under check. The 15w40 motor oil can be used in diesel trucks, farm tractors, passenger cars, and many more. You can see with your own eyes how different the viscosity of these oils is after engine warm-up. But lets try to get to the bottom of this issue. In that case, you can blindly use the oil whose ability is to resist even -20 Fahrenheit to -50 Fahrenheit. However, 10W-40 engine oil is more viscous in hotter climates and has a better temperature spectrum. While the cold weight isnt significantly different, the difference in the warm weight means that the 5w30 oil will be thinner while running at optimal temperature, which can cause damage to the engine due to insufficient lubrication. The main thing is to provide a smooth start of the engine, which will increase its service life. If you live in a region or drive in cities with year-round low temps, using 5w30 may be the best option here. In contrast, 10W40 is a thicker oil that is better suited for use in warmer weather. 5w30 oil is especially well suited to vehicles operating in cold climates. A 10w40 is often used as a car oil to run,especially the old cars. In winter, you already need a thin oil. 5w-40. Today we have taken 10W40 and 5W30 to describe the performance of each oil. As their numbers suggest, in general, 5w10 is thinner and better for use in cold weather. And now this is important. Again, 10w30 can also be used as the best multi-purpose oil as the oil acts like SAE 30 during 100 Celsius. Can I Use 10W40 Instead Of 5W30? Both 5W30 and 10W40 are suitable for engines. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That is to say, this type of engine is so much different than that of the engines run by the liquid cooling system in a car or other vehicles. The benefits of using 10w oil instead of 5w are very minimal. The reason why your engine might overheat is simply due to the increased amount of friction offered by mating parts to each other. The 5W40 is thinner than the 10W40 at lower temperatures. Also, with higher viscosity, it will have a decreased flow rate. 10w40 and SAE 30 are two different oils with different kinds of engine requirements. Yes, 10w40 oil can be used for lawnmowers and get away without having any problem. Everything is relative, look not only at the SAE but also directly at the yield point and dynamic viscosity. Both 5W30 and 10W40 are suitable for engines. If you use 10w40 in an engine for which 5w30 is recommended, then you will get poor engine performance in winter. And when it happens, you need to replace the part, and car parts arent cheap. If you do ever find yourself driving in a much hotter climate and know youre going to be there long term then it might be an idea to switch to an oil with higher viscosity. On the other hand, a 10w40 motor oil is recommended to be used for high mileage vehicles. For an engine in which 5w30 is recommended engine oil, its parameter are set as such to match the speed of pistons moving in limited friction. The main reason you should change your oil weight is if you cant find the exact one your car calls for but even then, you should switch back as soon as possible. The smaller number, (the 20 part of 20w-50) describes how the oil behaves at 40 deg C and a 20w at 40 deg C is about 10 times thicker than your engine wants. The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. Interchangeably. We use cookies. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The last number tells us the capacity of this oil to function appropriately in hot temperatures. 5w30 is a multi-graded oil which is suitable to use in lower temperature. First, however, you have to choose one that is right for your vehicle. But you will get most of the benefits of using thick oil. The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. The 10w40 motor oil is more vicious and thicker and thicker oils will help older engines to handle high temperatures and even manage to avoid wear and tear. 5w40 oil is not thicker has it has a higher viscosity. For older engines, 10W-40 is better. Thinner oils give you fuel economy, thicker oils give you more protection. You should not use 5w30 instead of 10w40, especially in warmer conditions. On the other hand, if you know youre going to be driving somewhere long-term thats colder than youre used to then you might want to swap your oil out for a lighter one such as 5w30. Therefore, 10w40 can be used when the engine is running and during the summer, while 5w20 can be used for cold starts and the winter. 5W30 vs 10W30 Whats The Difference? Regardless, if youve been using 10w40 and wish to switch to 5w30, you must take into consideration how the temperature of your city could get so high or so low. In a 10w-40 for example the 10w bit (W = winter, not weight or watt or anything else for that matter) simply means that the oil must have a certain maximum viscosity/flow at low temperature. The 50 refers to the thickness of the oil when the motor has been running for a while. After considering the characteristics of oils, and understanding the markings and classifications, it is possible to draw conclusions and conclusions. So, if you are driving your car in a colder place, this thin oil is the best choice for you. However, the 5W30 is not bad in mileage either. There are no significant damages, but the main difference is between the 5w30 motor oil and the 10w40 motor oil is the viscosity difference at specific temperatures. So you should use 15w40 motor oil or 10w30 motor oil if your owner's manual would recommend it. For each engine, there is one manufacturer's suggested configuration of engine oil. These engine oils are made with so much testing in the lab. We can continue many such similarities between them, but that doesnt mean that anyone of them is not suitable for your lawnmower. So, we can see, 10W40 is thicker than 5W30. Two numbers define the viscosity of engine oil when naming it. It is however always best to switch back to the original oil as soon as possible. But when the temperature is higher, both motor oils similarly perform their intended functions (using the same viscosity). There is even a special blurb in the manual that states that if you live in the desert, or tow regularly, or high temperature areas, you should run a higher viscosity oil. Viscosity means the thickness, consistency, and flow of the oil. In summary, people interchange 5w30 motor oil and 10w40 motor oil. 6 Common Reasons, Engine Power Is Reduced on Chevy Equinox: Meaning, Causes, and Fixes, How to Gap Spark Plugs With and Without a Tool, Why Engine Is Hot and AC Turned Off (Causes and Fixes). Some are included with additives, lubricants and adhesives. But you can mix nearly identical multi-grade oils in some cases. This is because not every part of the car, especially the engine, requires the same level of thickness or viscosity. One such case is with 10w40 and 5w30. I would love to see how its put together. Difference Between 75w90 And 80w90: (5 Key Differences). Is 10w40 good for cars with higher mileage? Be careful; you do not destroy it by experimenting and switching to different oil. How to choose the best 5w-30 engine oil for your car? Also, the letter w refers to winter or low temperature. If the motor oil will be thicker, it will reduce more tear and wear and provide an extension to the life of your engine. So, your car may not reach the desired car speed. It is a thinner type of oil that allows running the oil inside at a cold temperature where oil jamming is a significant concern. How many deaths are caused by flu each year? This is to say; the oil elements are not directly exposed to this type of engine. What happens if you put 10W40 oil instead of 5W30? if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'yourgreatcar_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_5',628,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-yourgreatcar_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');Also read: 4 Bad Things that Will Happen if You Dont Change Motor Oil. Because the viscosity of all the oils is almost the same ata lower temperature, a higher temperature becomes problematic as viscosity increases in some oils. It can cause harm to the engine in the long run if the oil is not pure and eligible for such an engine. While the cold weight isn't significantly different, the difference in the warm weight means that the 5w30 oil will be thinner while running at optimal temperature, which can cause damage to the engine due to insufficient lubrication. In heavy vehicles, 10w40 is already the recommended engine oil. When the engine is cold, 5W has a lower viscosity and is healthier for the engine. Which offers low friction and does not freeze in cold temperatures. So, it will face less friction with the engine parts and get a boost in fuel efficiency. In theory, yes, you can switch from using 5W-20 to the 5W-30 because they have similar viscosity ratings. But, when the number increases, viscosity also goes higher in the case of 10w40. 15w40 vs. 10w30 Toyota Although a bit of interchange in engine oils can be good, it is highly recommended not to use one to replace another. What happens if you put car oil in a lawnmower. 5W-30 is a thinner oil than 10W-40 and flows quicker at a cold temperature. 15w40 vs. 10w30 Engine Oil: Differences and Can You Swap Them? The truth is, you need to use the oil recommended for your engine by its maker if you want to get the best out of your engine. Because the gasoline in 5w30 is thinner and more able to reach the tough parts of the engine than the fuel in 10w30, 5w30 is more efficient and less viscous. But 10w40 is suited for hot weather or heavy loads. And use 5w30 for those cars that accept it. With the increase of temperature, the viscosity of 10w40 also increases. (Answer Explained), Do You Know Who Makes Toyota Oil Filters? Motor oils have different weights, and the difference in weight is for a reason. The number after the W is how thick the oil is when your engine is running and up to temperature. Furthermore, it is important to point out that engine oils are made with different additives. A motor oil offers the needed lubrication for the moving parts of any engine. No, you cannot put 10w40 instead of 5w30 under normal conditions. My friends and I created this site to tell you a lot of useful things from the world of cars. Moreover, the oil would get thicker and could not reach all the components when you start the engine. The first number, 5, tells us how efficiently the oil works nicely in cold temperatures. A thick motor oil like 10w40 will provide a more solid lubricant and compensate for the excess wear of high mileage engines. A 10w-40 is better at around 6 times thicker and a 0w-40 is much better at about 4 times thicker. Read also >> Is it ok to use 10w40 instead of 10w30? 5w30 is less viscous while 10w40 is more viscous. When it comes to choosing, 10w40 vs 5w40 Motor Oil Many motorists when choosing, In this article, well look at the differences, Manual and Gas Powered Post Driver: How to choose and. With its lower viscosity, 5w30 flows better at low temperatures. When you use the wrong oil for your engine, youd likely notice a significant drop in performance, and over time, your engine or its components may start to break down. And these temperatures are present on the cylinder walls and on the exhaust valve stems. If you do not drive often and your engine sits idly for a time, 5W30 will also work great here. It is advisable to use a 10w40 oil if the temperature of your city is below 30 degrees Fahrenheit. While 10W40 and 5W30 motor oils may appear to be very similar, they are actually designed for different types of engines. Changing the oil in your engine can be a daunting task as its one of the many things that keep your engine running. Using 10w40 instead of 5w30 is not always a bad decision. These thicker oils have extra components such as conditioners, antioxidants, detergents, seal swells, and friction additives that make them great for older engines. Then you can decide whether 10w40 over 10w30 is OK for your lawnmower or not. 5w30 and 10w40 are both good depending on how your engine is designed and the temperature in your location. 5w30 is thinner and specifically designed to run through engines that are prone to clogging whereas 10w40 oil only gets thicker as the temperature rises. He is mainly involved in weightlifting. The recommended oil viscosity for your vehicle, according to Kia's documentation, is 10W-40. Thus, 10w40 motor oil is preferable at a higher temperature since its viscosity at a low temperature is pretty high. And, the exciting part is that the oil can be used for both lawnmowers and cars. bobistheoilguy.com, autocareaids.com, forums.overclockers.co.uk, theydiffer.com, pakwheels.com, blog.zeuspng.com/, forums.anandtech.com, motoraudit.com, quora.com, itstillruns.com, lubricants.totalenergies.com, Copyright 2023 YourGreatCar.com | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. If you drive the vehicle in exceptionally cold weather, well below 32 degrees, you can use 5W-30 oil but even 10W-40 is still perfectly OK to use if outdoor temperatures are below freezing. Does it affect performance? So, it would be best if you found a motor oil grade that has the best balance between the recommended oil thickness and thinness. The only problem that may lead to your mower is the higher viscosity, which will only happen if you belong from a higher temperature place. Of course, a warm viscosity will be a lot heavier because of the requirement of the engine. (Explained), How Much Is Rhodium In A Catalytic Converter? 60 is the thickest oil in general use, but there are racing grades that go to 70. First off, the viscosity and thickness of any motor oil are a tradeoff. READ SOMETHING ELSE If the car has a very powerful engine, then you can try your luck with 10w40 instead of 5w30. This will leave you with an unlubricated engine as well as a clogged one. Nearly the same go, plenty more eco. But, using them from the very first time you bought your lawnmower till the end is not recommended. Accidentally Used 5w40 Instead of 10w40: Is It Ok? The viscosity and thickness of any engine oil are always a compromise. 10w-30. So, following it will be your best bet even if mechanics recommend applying other motor oils. It is also significant to mention that engine oils contain a variety of admixtures. The 10W40 Oil Guide (Meaning + Uses + 6 FAQs) | RepairSmith Youre okay to switch oil thickness as long as you dont hear any knocking or new noises coming from the engine. Here, we can see a number before the letter W and a number after the letter. Can 10W 40 be used instead of 5w30? But it is not recommended and wont bring any substantial performance boost to your cars performance and lifespan. No, every manufacturer has a reason for specifying a particular type of oil for their various car models. But, the differences are inevitable when the temperature rises. 5w40 offers better start-up protection and the smallest bit of fuel economy for the initial 5-10 minutes of the journey. The air-cooled system doesnt have any filter because the unnecessary elements of the oil are directly exposed to the engine. So it wont take long to break down all the energy sources if the food supply is stopped. Oils with the same high-temperature index SAE may have slightly different viscosity within the limits set by the standard. So given the 10w40 has both a higher first and second number, this is the oil with the higher viscosity. Why Is Tesla Better Than Other Electric Cars? This motor oil is much better to use in hot weather. The whole difference is the viscosity levels almost entirely determine their use in car models. A 5w30 motor oil is best used for high mileage vehicles. Consequently, 5W-30 oil lubricates and protects the car engine better at a low temperature especially during engine start-up in cold, winter weather. When you mix oils, you can lower or raise the viscosity, depending on the amount of oil of the same brand. Manufacturers always recommend using a particular oil for their automobiles to boost their performance in all conditions. So, thicker oil is preferable to protect these car parts. This means the thickness of both oils is very different when the car is on and because of this, it can cause damage to the engine. A "30" high temperature viscosity grade is common (as in 5W-30, 10W-30, etc) and is suited to many engines. The quick answer is that it is not a good idea to switch out 10w40 instead of 5w30. Thus, your car may not reach the desired vehicle speed. You wont cause any damage to your engine if you switch out the oil for a higher viscosity for a short period of time. 10w40 motor oil is much cheaper than 5w30. The last number, 40, tells us the hot temperature tolerance power of this oil. So, be careful mixing between two different grade oils. So, if you are driving your car at a hotter temperature, this thick oil is an excellent option for you. Further, the oil will become less viscose and would not lubricate the engine components appropriately. It would be best if you do not go for 10W40 to 5W30. Also, from the number, we get that at low temperature, 5w10 has a viscosity rating of only 5, which is half the viscosity of 10w40 at low temperature. These different kinds of oil are used for other purposes, but they have the grades and grading system. The first number refers to viscosity at low temperature and the second number, which sits after w, refers to the viscosity level at a higher or warm temperature. 5. When buying motor oils, it is good to consider options from top brands because they are typically made with OEM-approved, premium additives. The W itself stands for Winter and designates how oil will behave while cold. As a result of this tussle, the local temperature of the engine might increase as well. He also edits and writes articles for the IronSet blog where he shares his experiences. Also, both these motor oil feature different viscosity levels and are suitable for working under different temperatures. That is to say, the engine that runs a car will generally look for a different kind of oil than the engine which runs outdoor equipment like lawnmowers. But, it will not be good enough in hot weather. This is because less oils viscosity prevents your lawn mowers small engine from damages even at a higher temperature. Yes, you can actually use 10w30 instead of 5w30, but ensure you're doing it in the Summer season. Hence, this tradeoff will be beneficial for your car. Set off with the other half for a weekend trip over some bumpy B-roads for a decent Saturday lunch and everything came apart. And, if the temperature is higher in that place, then the recommendation for your lawn mowers oil becomesclearer, which is to use 10W30. After getting through the thinness and thickness of both oils, we can conclude that 10W40 is higher in viscosity than 5W30. Use 10w40 for those cars which accept it. As a result, there will be a lack of fast lubrication and engine wear and friction. So, use what your car manufacturer suggests. The cold viscosity is referring to the thickness of the oil upon a cold start of the engine. However, 5w40 engine oils have better flowability in cold temperatures compared to 10w40 oils, as they are thin and lightweight. Therefore it protects better than 10w40 these parts working under extremely adverse conditions, especially in the summer heat. A 10w-40 is better at around 6 times thicker and a 0w-40 is much better at about 4 times thicker. The number of the oil is showing a lot of different viscosity in high and low temperatures. In contrast, the liquid-cooled system of vehicles acts basically as the cleaner. We will summarize, when and what viscosity to choose: Difference between 5w30 and 0w30 engine oil, Difference between 5w40 and 10w40 engine oil, Castrol Edge 5W-30 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil, Amsoil Signature Series 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil, Pennzoil High Mileage Conventional 10W-40, Quaker State Conventional Motor Oil 10W-40. The number before the W shows how thick the oil will be when it is cold or when the engine isnt running. Andrey is a coach, sports writer and editor. The 10W40 will just work well with your motorbike. 5w30 Vs 10w30: Detailed Comparison - Oils Advisor The fuel efficiency is outstanding, and 10w40 also takes good care of lawnmowers engines. They are more useful for larger engines with special viscosity requirements, but the case is different for 5W30. (Quick Answer!). If you use 10W40 oil during periods of a cold engine running, the molecules of this specific oil might be too big to enter between the metal parts of the engine for proper lubrication, hence leading to damage. The numbers on the oil represent the viscosity of the oil. Technically speaking, 5w10 graded motor oil is replaceable with 10w40 motor oil. But, these numbers can be confusing and tricky. One most common type of difference between the two of them is their viscosity. 10W40 engine oil will hurt 5W30 engines. But when choosing the viscosity, be guided not only by the mileage of your car, but also by the recommendations of the engine manufacturer. This will then increase the fuel economy. However, you cannot see this becoming possible in the machines present in a lawnmower. So, when you use non-recommended oil for a car with higher or lower viscosity, you run the risk of choosing the highest tradeoff. The high viscosity of the oil will mean that more work will be lost in overcoming the friction offered by the oil. Yet, many car owners and even quite a good number of motor mechanics will use non-recommended motor oils for different car brands and models. If the amount of friction is increased, which is the case when 10w40 is used, a delay could occur in the timing of critical parameters. Low power output per unit fuel consumption means low fuel mileage. Again, SAE 30 is a single-weight oil. But we don't recommend it and here's why. With thicker oil, the lead time of engine warm-up is increased. Can I Put 10W40 Instead of 5W30? What Will Happen? what is the Difference between 5w30 and 10w40? Again, if you get away from the regular oiling schedule and try something new for your lawnmower, then 10w40 is indeed a great choice! It will increase your engines work capacity, HP, RPM and many more. This energy is also required by the lawnmower that runs all day on your lawn. Can You Buy a Random Brand? What Does TBC Fault Mean On A Ford Truck? When at high temperatures, the 5w30 oil becomes thinner than the 10w40 oil since 30 is lower as compared to 40. When more power is consumed to keep the pistons moving, then a low amount of power is available at the output shaft. Either it is a 5W30 or any other oil, you should go for an oil change as per the user manual requirement. (Answer Explained), Do You Know Who Makes Motorcraft Oil Filters? So, whichever type of oil you use, it is vital to understand the grades first. Gardengild is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon properties. Your vehicle does not use 5W-30 oil. Can you use 10w40 instead of 5w30? If your oil must be topped up, then you are burning oil already, so the difference wont cause more damage than is already there. As previously stated, 5w30 is much thinner than 10w40 so mixing the two will thin the oils. What is the difference between 5W-20 and 5W-30 oil? This means that the 10w40 motor oil will cling to the engines moving parts more than the low viscosity of the 5w30 motor oil. Contents Do not use 10w-40 instead of 5w-30 Yes, we know that every auto mechanic can have a different opinion on this. The answer to this question is a fairly simple one, always go with whatever your cars user manual says as this will be specifically tailored to your vehicle. A lawnmower generally runs by a sort of engine that has anair-cooled system attached to It. What happens if you put 10/40 oil instead of 5w30? Why do people use different types of oil? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Also read: Does Engine Oil Brand Matter? 5W30 is a synthetic oil that is thinner than 10W40, making it ideal for use in colder weather. Yes. . 5w30 vs. 10w40 Engine Oil: Differences and Can You Swap Them? But we dont recommend it and heres why. [Detailed] Can I Use 10w40 Instead Of 5w30 +Other FAQs - Auto car need Can You Use 5w30 Instead of 10w30? - Toolspicks and, why does it matter? Some car parts will need a thinner film to protect against external elements, while others will need thicker films.