Hello. My car user manual recommends 5w30, but also alows 0w40, 5w40 to be used. What do you think would 5w40 protect engine better?
Using 5w40 instead od 5w30 for better protection?
- Thread starter Polyalphaolefin
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Originally Posted by Polyalphaolefin
Hello. My car user manual recommends 5w30, but also alows 0w40, 5w40 to be used. What do you think would 5w40 protect engine better?
So some questions to ask could be:
What is the temperature range across the seasons you expect to be driving in?
Is your engine turbocharged?
Is your car Direct Injection or standard Port Injected?
What is your driving style?
What is your expected oil change interval you plan to run?
Hello. My car user manual recommends 5w30, but also alows 0w40, 5w40 to be used. What do you think would 5w40 protect engine better?
So some questions to ask could be:
What is the temperature range across the seasons you expect to be driving in?
Is your engine turbocharged?
Is your car Direct Injection or standard Port Injected?
What is your driving style?
What is your expected oil change interval you plan to run?
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Another question would be "what type of horseless carriage is the oil being used to lubricate?"
If you are working this engine really hard in high ambient temperatures, or if the engine has high mileage and starts leaking or consuming oil, you might want to switch to thicker oil. Otherwise, 5w30 would be the best overall choice in my opinion.
Dont bother changing to a thicker oil unless:
-you have some tick or engine thing that you want to quiet down
-your engine has done 200k km or 140-150k miles and you want to make 300-400k on it
-your have a Korean car with a know issue
A heavier oil will provide a bit more oil film cushion, but may increase fuel consumption.
-you have some tick or engine thing that you want to quiet down
-your engine has done 200k km or 140-150k miles and you want to make 300-400k on it
-your have a Korean car with a know issue
A heavier oil will provide a bit more oil film cushion, but may increase fuel consumption.
If you're defining (strictly speaking) "protection" as oil film thickness, yes an Xw40 is going to give you more protection than an Xw30. However, depending on your driving habits, engine condition and ambient temps a 5w30 may provide you with all the protection you need (there are 5w30's w/excellent AW pkgs) while also delivering the best fuel economy amongst the 3 grades mentioned.
I guess the short answer is..it depends?...‚
I guess the short answer is..it depends?...‚
BITOG should make motor oil 101 mandatory reading for new members.
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Asking about 5w40? Why not go all in and give 20w50 a try.
Originally Posted by Hoot_r
Engine type/condition + vehicle type + driving style + ambient temperature/climate = viscosity recommendation (most of the time).
That's way too much thinking for your avg consumer.
Owners manuals do attempt to remove the vehicle owner from the equation by condensing everything into a single lube recommendation "5w30" for example (which I'd wager is suitable for 90+% of vehicles) or (for the thinker)...a chart with ambient temps, a description of operating conditions blah blah blah which in turn drives people to forums like this because they don't know what to make of it all. (-and subsequently learn that they should just go with the manuals recommendation ...‚)
Engine type/condition + vehicle type + driving style + ambient temperature/climate = viscosity recommendation (most of the time).
That's way too much thinking for your avg consumer.
Owners manuals do attempt to remove the vehicle owner from the equation by condensing everything into a single lube recommendation "5w30" for example (which I'd wager is suitable for 90+% of vehicles) or (for the thinker)...a chart with ambient temps, a description of operating conditions blah blah blah which in turn drives people to forums like this because they don't know what to make of it all. (-and subsequently learn that they should just go with the manuals recommendation ...‚)
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Originally Posted by 1978elcamino
Asking about 5w40? Why not go all in and give 20w50 a try.
Don't think 5w40 is much of issue, plus it is ok'd by the manufacturer.
OP, you could really use any of the allowed grades spec'd by the manufacturer and see NO difference at all in regards to longevity, driveability, etc. Very cold climate could be a factor and Perhaps a very small difference in fuel consumption between a 30 and 40 weight. My personal choice would be 0w40 since allowed by OEM but admittedly that would be a personal preference. In my own experiences with many different vehicles, I've noticed no difference between grades, not even a measurable difference in mpg.
Asking about 5w40? Why not go all in and give 20w50 a try.
Don't think 5w40 is much of issue, plus it is ok'd by the manufacturer.
OP, you could really use any of the allowed grades spec'd by the manufacturer and see NO difference at all in regards to longevity, driveability, etc. Very cold climate could be a factor and Perhaps a very small difference in fuel consumption between a 30 and 40 weight. My personal choice would be 0w40 since allowed by OEM but admittedly that would be a personal preference. In my own experiences with many different vehicles, I've noticed no difference between grades, not even a measurable difference in mpg.
Picture this ...
You are a stuntman who jumps off buildings for a living. The foam pad you land in is 11 feet deep. You typically need about 7 feet to be safe. Are you any safer if someone makes the pad 14 feet deep ?
Your 5w30 is like that 11 foot deep foam pad. A 5w40 is like that 14 foot deep pad. Unless your car NEEDS the thicker oil, a 5w30 is just fine. Why would a car NEED a thicker oil ?
Usually because of expected average oil temperatures. Oil gets thinner as it gets hotter. Live in the desert where the outside air temp is 110 * F. Yes, your oil will run a little hotter. Drive at 120 + mph on the Autobahn for 20 minutes straight, or race your car on a track ? THAT will heat up the oil.
But for the average driver, doing day to day normal driving, the recommended oil grade will protect the engine just fine.
You are a stuntman who jumps off buildings for a living. The foam pad you land in is 11 feet deep. You typically need about 7 feet to be safe. Are you any safer if someone makes the pad 14 feet deep ?
Your 5w30 is like that 11 foot deep foam pad. A 5w40 is like that 14 foot deep pad. Unless your car NEEDS the thicker oil, a 5w30 is just fine. Why would a car NEED a thicker oil ?
Usually because of expected average oil temperatures. Oil gets thinner as it gets hotter. Live in the desert where the outside air temp is 110 * F. Yes, your oil will run a little hotter. Drive at 120 + mph on the Autobahn for 20 minutes straight, or race your car on a track ? THAT will heat up the oil.
But for the average driver, doing day to day normal driving, the recommended oil grade will protect the engine just fine.
Originally Posted by geeman789
Picture this ...
You are a stuntman who jumps off buildings for a living. The foam pad you land in is 11 feet deep. You typically need about 7 feet to be safe. Are you any safer if someone makes the pad 14 feet deep ?
Your 5w30 is like that 11 foot deep foam pad. A 5w40 is like that 14 foot deep pad. Unless your car NEEDS the thicker oil, a 5w30 is just fine. Why would a car NEED a thicker oil ?
Usually because of expected average oil temperatures. Oil gets thinner as it gets hotter. Live in the desert where the outside air temp is 110 * F. Yes, your oil will run a little hotter. Drive at 120 + mph on the Autobahn for 20 minutes straight, or race your car on a track ? THAT will heat up the oil.
But for the average driver, doing day to day normal driving, the recommended oil grade will protect the engine just fine.
BITOG needs a like button that can be pressed multiple times
Picture this ...
You are a stuntman who jumps off buildings for a living. The foam pad you land in is 11 feet deep. You typically need about 7 feet to be safe. Are you any safer if someone makes the pad 14 feet deep ?
Your 5w30 is like that 11 foot deep foam pad. A 5w40 is like that 14 foot deep pad. Unless your car NEEDS the thicker oil, a 5w30 is just fine. Why would a car NEED a thicker oil ?
Usually because of expected average oil temperatures. Oil gets thinner as it gets hotter. Live in the desert where the outside air temp is 110 * F. Yes, your oil will run a little hotter. Drive at 120 + mph on the Autobahn for 20 minutes straight, or race your car on a track ? THAT will heat up the oil.
But for the average driver, doing day to day normal driving, the recommended oil grade will protect the engine just fine.
BITOG needs a like button that can be pressed multiple times
0w100. It's really the final answer to all viscosity questions.
Originally Posted by HangFire
0w100. It's really the final answer to all viscosity questions.
No, 0 kelvin - VV (variable viscosity; 0k-VV® for short)... it's made from tartigrades and unicorns....‚
0w100. It's really the final answer to all viscosity questions.
No, 0 kelvin - VV (variable viscosity; 0k-VV® for short)... it's made from tartigrades and unicorns....‚
It's a shame a relatively new member can't ask an honest question without receiving some sarcastic responses.
I think he was asking ; which parts of the engine would benefit from the thicker oil. I suppose the answer is nothing that's hydrodynamically lubricated like the bearings because 5W30 would more than likely provide adequate oil film thickness. That leaves things like timing chains and possibly cams that are boundary lubricated.
I think he was asking ; which parts of the engine would benefit from the thicker oil. I suppose the answer is nothing that's hydrodynamically lubricated like the bearings because 5W30 would more than likely provide adequate oil film thickness. That leaves things like timing chains and possibly cams that are boundary lubricated.
"protection" from what exactly?
All those oils should protect your engine. In my Toyota I use anything between 0W-20 to 10w30. I go with a lighter oil in the winter and the heavier oils in the summer. But I have a stash and generally what I look for first when I'm making a purchase it oil that is on sale with a rebate. The most I've paid for oil in the last two years is $20 each for two 5 quart Jugs of Royal Purple.
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