Does it matter what oil I put in my car?

Will the wrong oil damage my engine?

Cause damage to engine life

The wrong engine oil can cause engine damage because it does not properly lubricate its components. This will lead to metal-on-metal contact since the moving parts are not being lubricated. Friction quickly follows, causing engine parts to wear.

What happens if you use 5W 30 instead of 5W 20?

If you use 5w30 oil instead of 5w20 when it is not recommended or approved by your owner’s manual, it can void your car’s powertrain warranty, reduce engine efficiency, and possibly even damage your engine in the long run. Hopefully, this helps!

Are all SAE 5W 30 oil the same?

Basically, SAE 30 and 5w30 have the same rating or viscosity of 30 while hot, but when cold their ratings differ. Because of this, they have slightly different uses: SAE 30 is the most common small engine oil, and 5w30 is used mostly in the automotive industry.

What 5W 30 oil means?

Example 5W30: The W stands for winter, whereby 5W is the low temperature viscosity and 30 is the high temperature viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius. The lower the number before the W, the better the oil will flow at low temperatures.

What happens if I put 5w40 instead of 5w30?

In practice, this means that each oil is just as viscous at lower temperatures and will remain viscous at -30°C, however 5w40 oil outperforms 5w30 oils at higher temperatures, being effective up to ambient temperatures of 50°C, as opposed to 30°C.

Can I mix different grades of engine oil?

No – you shouldn’t mix engine oils with different specifications like this. These two oils have contrasting viscosities and are designed for completely different types of use.

Should you use thicker oil in an older engine?

A: Yes. This is a practical method to improve oil pressure in an older, high-mileage engine. The slightly thicker oil film from the heavier base weight oil — 10W — can help protect worn engine bearings as well.

What happens if you put thicker oil in your car?

Thicker Oil May Not Flow Quickly Enough

Its lower viscosity allows it to flow faster and fill the tiny clearances between parts, leading to a durable, consistent lubricating film. Not only that, but the engine will waste energy pumping the thicker oil, reducing fuel economy.

Should I use 5w30 or 5w40?

5w30 can be used by different type of vehicles and in different range of temperatures, but is ideal for colder temperatures. 5w40 is often used in higher mileage engine sand performs better in warmer temperatures.

Which oil is best for car?

What is 5W-40 oil used for?

5W-40 motor oil

The 5W-40 viscosity is a prevalent recommendation for performance engines in European vehicles with gas-powered engines, and in American diesel pickup trucks. We offer 5W-40 oils for gasoline- and diesel-powered engines.

What does 5W-40 stand for?

What does 5w40 actually mean? The “W” stands for “winter,” the number preceding it indicates the oil’s viscosity (or thickness) at low temperatures (hence the W), and the number after it indicates viscosity at higher temperatures (150oC on average), when the engine is actually running.

Which is thicker oil 5w30 or 5W40?

Although both have the same viscosity grade in cold weather, 5W-40 is thicker than 5W-30 at warmer temperatures. It’s also worth pointing out that: 5W-40 is the suggested oil for most diesel applications. Rarely (if ever) do vehicle manufacturers recommend putting 5W-40 oil in a gas-powered engine.

Which is better 5w30 or 10W40?

Can I use 10W40 instead of 5w30?

What will happen if I put 10W40 instead of 5w30? Being a thicker oil 10W40 can harm your engine if your engine requires a thinner oil. Although a bit of interchange in engine oils can be good, it is highly recommended not to use one to replace another.

Will thicker oil make engine quieter?

Heavier oil will not quiet hydraulic lifter noise. Quite likely you will get the opposite effect because thicker oil takes longer to reach the top of the engine. The lifter tapping, or ticking, will be louder.