5w30 is thicker than 5w20 in operating temperatures, but that doesn't mean there will be less oil flow. Oil pump will still pump the oil through the engine, and if thicker oil causes an increase in oil pressure, the oil pump will just bypass some of the oil back into the sump. It's not a big deal.
Using 5W-30 instead can reduce fuel economy and impede flow throughout the engine. While using it temporarily in a pinch likely won't cause your engine lasting harm, remember that the engineers who built your engine did so with a specific viscosity oil in mind, meaning it's best to stick with it.
SAE 20 is somewhat closer to 30 than the other jumps, because SAE 30 must be 30°F higher than SAE 20 to be roughly the equivalent viscosity. In other words, an SAE 20 at 190°F is about the same kinematic viscosity as an SAE 30 at 220°F, which is about the same viscosity as an SAE 40 at 240°F.
You can easily substitute 5w20 with 0w20, just like M1 says. According to them, you'll still have warranty protection. All the 0 means is it can start easier in the cold then 5w.
That said, running 5w30 in an engine that calls for 5w20 isn't really going to hurt anything, but you might notice a small drop in fuel economy.
Using 5W-30 simply produces a bit less economy because moving an oil that is less freely flowing through the system consumes more energy. This versatile oil is often an ideal solution for engines with high miles where its protective qualities help outweigh its slightly reduced fuel efficiency.
Using the proper viscosity motor oil will help protect and maintain the performance of your vehicle's engine. Thus, always refer to the manufacturer's recommendation while your vehicle is under warranty. **if you have a car that recommends 0W-20, do not use 5W-30 – back # of vis-grade must match or it is a no-go.
If your car calls for 5w20, you had better use that in the winter when oil gets cold and doesn't flow as well upon startup. In the summertime, it would not be a problem at all to use the thicker oil. Your gas mileage may go down just a little bit. On an older car designed for conventional oil - nothing would happen.
The short answer is yes. There is no danger or risk of combustion, and mixing the two types of oil won't harm your engine. However, it's important to note that if you do mix the two, the conventional oil can keep the synthetic from performing to its fullest potential.
Mobil 1™ 5W-20 is recommended by ExxonMobil for all types of modern gasoline-powered vehicles, including high-performance turbocharged, supercharged, multi-valve fuel injected engines found in passenger cars, SUVs, light vans and light trucks.
SAE 30 - Warmer temperatures, most common oil for small engines.
Not only that, but the engine will waste energy pumping the thicker oil, reducing fuel economy. Since thicker oil doesn't transfer heat as well as thinner oil, operating temperatures will increase, possibly leading to accelerated chemical break down (called “oxidation“) and harmful sludge and deposits.
SAE, the acronym for the Society of Automotive Engineers, is responsible for establishing a classification system based solely on oil viscosity. To classify the oils, their viscosity is measured in cold conditions at different temperatures below zero, and then in hot conditions at 100ºC.
The short answer is that the 5W-20 or 5W-30 oil is the density your Hyundai Elantra needs in the winter and the summer for the oil to sit comfortably between the engine parts. Getting a 0W-15 or a 10W-40 oil would result in the oil is too thin to properly protect the engine parts or too thick to fit between them.
Using the wrong type can wreak havoc on your engine, causing moving parts to wear prematurely due to inadequate lubrication. This can lead to costly repairs, replacement parts, and engine failure.
As we've mentioned, your Ford F-150 oil type is SAE 5W-20 or SAE 5W-30.
Using 5W-30 instead can reduce fuel economy and impede flow throughout the engine. While using it temporarily in a pinch likely won't cause your engine lasting harm, remember that the engineers who built your engine did so with a specific viscosity oil in mind, meaning it's best to stick with it.
Myth: Once you switch to synthetic oil, you can never switch back. This is one of the most persistent myths about synthetic oil—and completely untrue. You can switch back and forth at any time. In fact, synthetic blends are simply a mixture of synthetic and conventional oils.
In most circumstances, 0W-20 is an adequate alternative for 5W-20. At operating temperatures, both products are 20-weight motor oils. However, if your car is still under warranty, you may be able to use 0W-20.
Thinner oils like 5W20 oil will flow better at cold temperatures, making them ideal for cold starts. Thickness at High Temperatures: 5W30 is a thicker oil when the engine is hot, providing better protection for engine parts during heavy use.
Yes. There is no danger mixing synthetic and conventional motor oil. However, conventional oil will detract from the superior performance of synthetic oil and reduce its benefits.
The “W” that you see on oil labels stands for the word "Winter" because this portion of the label shows the viscosity level of oil when an engine is cold. Motor oil that is thinner can flow more easily and faster. This is important because when you start a cold engine, the oil needs to lubricate the equipment quickly.
The same applies to 6-cylinder models, but models from 2002 to 2019 can take conventional, whereas models after 2019 and onward demand synthetic oil. See a breakdown of the recommended Subaru Outback oil types below: Subaru Outback 2002 to 2012: 5W-30 Conventional Oil. Subaru Outback 2013 to 2023: 0W-20 Synthetic Oil.
Premium 5w30 Engine oil is available in a full synthetic, conventional, or semi-synthetic blend. Regardless of lube oil type, you get the same viscosity and performance from the oil.