You will also lose an element of viscosity which means your oil wont be properly lubricating your engine. The 10w40 motor oil is not in the recommendation list for Mazda vehicles, but as a guide, 10w40 is preferable for hot weather or heavy loads. Do police departments look at medical records when hiring? No. Accidentally Used 5w30 Instead of 10w40: Is It Ok? You also have to consider the composition of the oil. In some rare cases, 10w30 may cause engine overheating in extremely cold temps. As a result, it will have an increased fuel economy. When the engine is cold, 5W has a lower viscosity and is healthier for the engine. But these numbers can sometimes be misleading. How to Bypass the Ignition Control Module, I Hit a Curb With My Front Passenger Side 7 Things to Check, 25+ absolutely stunning cars with colorful paint effects, Do Your Spark Plugs Smell Like Gas? Thick oil has excellent performance at high temperatures. I'm the guy responsible for ensuring honest, informative, accurate and helpful guide to the reader. 5w40 has higher viscosity hence it is not suitable at all temperatures. If your motorcycle requires a 10W40 engine oil, there is no need to go for 5W40 oil. How to choose the best 0w-30 engine oil for your car? Changing the oil in your engine can be a daunting task as its one of the many things that keep your engine running. In addition, the thickness or viscosity is known as the weight of the fluid. So, thicker oil is preferable to protect these car parts. But you will get most of the benefits of using thick oil. 20W50 motor oil is relatively viscous and thick. With various grades, there are so many different options available in engine oils. Thus, 10w40 motor oil is preferable at a higher temperature since its viscosity at a low temperature is pretty high. Instead, it happens due to the filter in such engines that makes the oils contaminant separate from the machines. These different kinds of oil are used for other purposes, but they have the grades and grading system. The 5W-40 is inferior in viscosity, due to the reduced winter coefficient. The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. The manufacturer chooses and recommends motor oil grade for your car after a lot of research. The quick answer is that it is not a good idea to switch out 10w40 instead of 5w30. Read also >> Difference Between 75w90 And 80w90: (5 Key Differences). People are also confused if it is right to change them both. This is why its best not to mix oils as you will essentially be left with an oil that cannot do its job in hot temperatures and eventually at all. The only difference between 10w40 and 5w30 is their viscosity. Two numbers define the viscosity of motor oil at their naming. In theory, yes, you can switch from using 5W-20 to the 5W-30 because they have similar viscosity ratings. Then, after calculation, they choose the motor oil that has the least tradeoff so that your car gets the maximum profit. For instance, 5w30 isnt always recommended in low temperatures for all car models. Can I use 10W-40 instead of 5w30? Before making this big change, you must consult a professional mechanic. READ SOMETHING ELSE Thus, the delay in starting the vehicle. So, your car may experience inconsistency. Transmission oil is essential to keep your automatic, Read More Dexron 3 vs. Dexron 6: Comparison and DetailsContinue, As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Today, there are some industry-grasping multi-grade engine oils produced like 10W40, 5W30 or 20W50. When you change the oil filter, change the oil as well. (Answer Explained)Continue, As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. And these temperatures are present on the cylinder walls and on the exhaust valve stems. It will increase your engines work capacity, HP, RPM and many more. People sometimes forget that the viscosity of oil looks at both the thickness and thinness of that oil. You wont cause any damage to your engine if you switch out the oil for a higher viscosity for a short period of time. This oil also prevents oil from getting frozen and lumped up by sitting. (Answer Explained), Dexron 3 vs. Dexron 6: Comparison and Details, Do You Know Who Makes Harley Davidson Oil? 10 Best 20W-50 Motor Oils Updated April 2021. Both oils are equivalent at operating temperatures of 40Wt. how does viscosity affects car performance? 5w30 implies that the specified oil has a thinner consistency in cold weather; however, itd still perform the major function, which is to protect the engine at different temperatures, while also lubricating the moving parts to prevent friction. 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. In winter, you already need a thin oil. Interchangeably. 10w-30. A 10w-40 is better at around 6 times thicker and a 0w-40 is much better at about 4 times thicker. Can I Use 5w20 Instead Of 5w30 on Toyota? If you live in a region or drive in cities with year-round low temps, using 5w30 may be the best option here. The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. Can I Mix 10w30 and 5w30? 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. The 5w30 has a viscosity of 30 at high temperature while a 10w40 has a 40 viscosity at high temperatures. Can you use 10w40 instead of 5w30? 10w40 oil is thicker than 5w30 oil, so its used to reduce oil consumption. When you mix oils, you can lower or raise the viscosity, depending on the amount of oil of the same brand. You are not supposed to use different-purpose oil in your engine. (Answer Explained), Do You Know Who Makes Motorcraft Oil Filters? So, your car may experience inconsistency. The engine will start right up and run great w/o fear of oil starvation. The answer to this question will depend on your vehicle and a lot more factors. The viscosities of multigrade oils 5w20 and 10w40 vary depending on the temperature. 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. This can cause damage to your engine because a 10w40 oil won't be efficient and lubricate the engine moving parts as supposed at such low temps. However, these differences are not noticeable in normal temperatures. For older engines, 10W-40 is better. Further, the oil will become less viscose and would not lubricate the engine components appropriately. Also, with higher viscosity, it will have a decreased flow rate. However, 10w40 is better suited for hot weather or heavy loads, and it is not included in the recommendation list of Volkswagen. But, using them from the very first time you bought your lawnmower till the end is not recommended. 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. What Is the Difference Between 5w30 and 10w40 Oil? 5w30 and 10w40 are both good depending on how your engine is designed and the temperature in your location. It is because not every part of the car, especially the engine, requires the same level of thickness or viscosity. Thicker and high viscous oils give more mileage as we have already got to know that 10W40 is a thicker oil. Accidentally Used 5w40 Instead of 10w40: Is It Ok? In heavy vehicles, 10w40 is already the recommended engine oil. (Answer Explained), Do You Know Who Makes Toyota Oil Filters? The car will start better in wintertime. You must have heard of the Honda oil, Read More Who Makes Honda Oil Filters? Answer: There is absolutely no need to switch to 10W-30 motor oil in the summer if 5W-30 is an acceptable grade for your engine . In the temperature range of winter use, 5W is a more winter oil, but it also happens that 10W from some manufacturers withstands lower frosts than 5W from others. Obviously, a 10W-40 is thicker than a 10W-30 at high temperature. However, as its number suggests, it is much thinner than 10w40. When components of the engine have to rotate in a dense environment, then more power will be lost. However, 10W-40 engine oil is more viscous in hotter climates and has a better temperature spectrum. The following viscosities are approved by Subaru: 5w-30. 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. What Do All the Numbers Mean? Once youve done this then youll be glad to know that you can use 10w30 instead of 5w30 with no problems. If you do not drive often and your engine sits idly for a time, 5W30 will also work great here. It, due to its higher viscosity, will reduce oil consumption. But, it can be used for temporary periods as the damage is always due to the long-term application. 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. And, if the temperature is higher in that place, then the recommendation for your lawn mowers oil becomesclearer, which is to use 10W30. As a car buff or mechanic, you should understand that both 10w40 and 5w30 graded oil have two different oil viscosities. Some are included with additives, lubricants and adhesives. And as much as motor oil is essential for your engine. The motor oil will act as a lubricant. This is a practical method to improve oil pressure in an older, high-mileage engine. Thinner oils are easier to light even at temperatures under the negatives. 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. And, the only similar part between the two of these oils is the ability to be used for the engine of the lawnmower. There are a lot of oil weights to choose from, but do all those numbers and letters have anything to do with how your engine will run? However, the motor oil 10w40 motor oil is not on the recommendation list. Images that are not under our Copyrights are published with the respective owners authorization. So, following it will be your best bet even if mechanics recommend applying other motor oils. This means that any fluid can have a higher or lower viscosity than water. 10W40 engine oil will hurt 5W30 engines. Where 5w30 is the best low viscosity oil for colder areas, 10W40 is the best high viscosity oil for hotter regions. Having all the above information, the choice is up to you. The quick answer is that it is not a good idea to switch out 10w40 instead of 5w30. You can use 10w40 in your lawnmower, but that doesnt mean you can put it instead of 5w30 oil. You can use 5w30 instead of 10w40, but its not the best idea to do so, and well explain exactly why. It can cause harm to the engine in the long run if the oil is not pure and eligible for such an engine. In this article, we will conclude this discussion once and for all. Manufacturers always recommend using a particular oil for their automobiles to boost their performance in all conditions. The 40W hot visc is a complete non-issue. 10w40 oil can be the best choice for the lawnmower. Does it affect performance? 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). But for this, firstly, you have to understand the relation of viscosity of motor oil with its performance in different situations. It might be a slightly heavier (than a 0 or 5w-x) on those rare 10F mornings. The recommended oil for all Toyota engines is 5w30 motor oil. For each engine, there is one manufacturers suggested configuration of engine oil. (Explained), How Much Is Rhodium In A Catalytic Converter? In choosing the right motor oil for your vehicles engine, there are a lot of choices. The thinner motor oil like 5w30 will be providing less friction in the engine. To consider this matter, you first need to rely upon some factors. 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. Both motor oils are designed to work in different conditions, so they function differently. Some parts of the car need a thinner film to protect it from external influences, while others need a thicker film. 10w-50. If they wear out quickly, so will the engine. In addition, using thicker oil like the 10w40 motor oil will also provide the engine parts a lot of lubrication. Here, the lower the number, the thinner the oil. Two numbers define the viscosity of engine oil when naming it. Trending Video: How to Easily Bring Back to Life any Old Car Battery and Save Tons of Money (click to watch). Related Posts: Can I Use 5w30 Instead Of 5w20 In My Honda? With a powerful engine, you can take a chance. So, you cannot use 10W40 oils instead of 5W30 on your lawn mowers with small engines. 2. The viscosity and thickness of any engine oil are always a compromise. As lower temperature is not a matter of consideration for your lawnmowers oil requirement. Whats the Difference Between 10W40 and 5W30? It offers higher friction and instead of reducing the wear and tear of moving parts, it enhances it. The air-cooled system doesnt have any filter because the unnecessary elements of the oil are directly exposed to the engine. Are There Any Situations When You Can Put 10W40 Instead of 5W30? 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. Due to this, both of them can be used in the lawnmower. But that is only under specific kinds of circumstances. The lower the W number the better the oils cold temperature/cold start performance. In contrast, 10W40 is a thicker oil that is better suited for use in warmer weather. Viscosity improvers help the oil thicken in high temperatures but this does not improve the lubrication of the oil in any way. If you need a 10w-40, you can use 5w-40. Oils with higher viscosity work best in hotter temperatures so you should be looking at something like 5w30, 10w30, or 10w40 for the summer. If you use 10w40 in an engine for which 5w30 is recommended, then you will get poor engine performance in winter. Nov 29, 2009. Everyone makes his or her choice, based on what he or she is pursuing and what he or she wants to get from the engine oil and from the car as a whole. Yes. The main difference between 5W-30 and 5W-20 motor oil is . This will also lower the performance of the vehicle and lower the effectiveness of the oil. This is because a thinner oil like the 5w30 motor oil will be providing less friction to the engine. This lubricant will allow the pistons to move in the engine block and not make any excess wearthe society of automotive engineers or SAE has distinguished oil by the level of their viscosity. Thus, some may perform better than the oil depending on the additives included in the formula. On the other hand, the 10w40 motor oils viscosity is forty (40) in high temperatures. 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. Which is Thicker? Home Blog [Detailed] Can I Use 10w40 Instead Of 5w30 +Other FAQs. In summary, what you should know is that 5w30 oils are less viscous and flow easily than 10w40 oils at both high and low temps. But when the temperature is higher, both motor oils similarly perform their intended functions (using the same viscosity). But 10w40 oils have an added advantage; they typically offer more protection than lighter oils. This means that the 20w40 motor oil is thicker if the engine is running. The first part of the grade number (the number before the W) tells us how thin the oil is so we can see that 5w30 is much thinner than 10w40. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The second number is the operating temp viscosity (the number that matters most). They have, Read More Do You Know Who Makes Polaris Oil? There will be no significant damages or serious problems that you will be encountering. No! On a quick note, you could actually use a different oil (not the recommended in your cars owners manual) and nothing would happen to your engine at least not that moment. In the same vein, if your engine is specified to use 10w40, it is advisable to stick with that. If the motor oil will be thicker, it will reduce more tear and wear and provide an extension to the life of your engine. It will maintain its film strength, and it will also keep the engine oil pressure under check. Again, it is not suggested to switch in between other viscosity oils. Similarly the oil viscosity will be higher and oil thicker than specified during summers. The same is true for lubricants or power steering fluid. If it's Winter, 10W30 would make your engine perform sluggishly as the thick oil would struggle to lubricate the engine components. However, 10w40 is suitable for hot weather or heavy loads. The first number, 5, tells us how efficiently the oil works nicely in cold temperatures. What is the difference between 5w30 and 0w30 oil? The highly viscous nature of 10w40 will not allow the engine parts to move freely. 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. So, the thicker the protective film will be, the better it will be for these parts. Furthermore, it is important to point out that engine oils are made with different additives. It simply implies that choosing motor oil other than manufacturers recommended cars increases its chance of damaging parts. When buying motor oils, it is good to consider options from top brands because they are typically made with OEM-approved, premium additives. The first number in the name of the oil represents the viscosity of the oil when cold. If you found yourself contemplating between 5w30 vs 10w40 motor oils, heres a detailed comparison of these two motor oils of different weights and viscosity. (Answer Explained). Mixing 10W30 with 10W40 Some say that mixing them is fine as long as you dont live in freezing weather. Car Brake System Parts Explained in Detail. #9. We all know about Polaris oil. 10w40 motor oil is not recommended for Nissan engines. No! How many lumens does an automobile headlight have? 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. As a result of this tussle, the local temperature of the engine might increase as well. It is a base engine oil. Besides, we knew that 5W40 is suitable for colder weather. You can use it instead if you want to, but many answers are coming from different sides. But strictly during the summers only. For example, a 10w40 motor oil will be a lot thicker at startup than the 5w30 motor oil. It would be best if you do not go for 10W40 to 5W30. You are not supposed to use different-purpose oil in your engine. So, you cannot use 10W40 oils instead of 5W30 on your lawn mowers with small engines. Some engines might pose problems like overheating, excessive wear and tear, and poor performance if thicker engine oil is used. 10w40 and SAE 30 are two different oils with different kinds of engine requirements. However, 10w40 is better suited for hot weather or heavy loads. 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. Again, engines of other vehicles can go through higher viscosity oil. The only recommended use of 5w30 is when the temperature is exceptionally cool or freezing. 1 What happens if I put 10W40 instead of 5w30? So, 10w40 can be used as a temporary type of oil for your lawnmower if unavailable of the lawnmowers recommended. So Can I use 10w40 instead of 5w30? Here are some more articles for you to check out: 20W50 vs 10W40 Oil: Whats the Difference and Which Is Better? Technically speaking, 5w-30 engine oil can be replaced with 10w-40 engine oil. Viscosity Engine Oil 5w30 is used to lubricate and cool the internal components of the engine. People are also curious about the differences between these motor oils. But you cant apply two different motor oils for the cars simultaneously. The oils quality is higher enough that it can be used seamlessly in your mower without a problem. The difference between 10W-30 and a 10W-40 is the high temperature viscosity. There is no recommendation for the 10w40 motor for Subaru engines because 10w40 is best used in hot weather or heavy loads. But when reaching operating temperature, the oils give exactly the same protection. The number before the W shows how thick the oil will be when it is cold or when the engine isnt running. So, considering this, the best oil to use in a lawnmower is SAE 30 that will serve in extremely hot conditions again during the cold-climatic timings. This type of oil is often recommended for heavy-duty engines; cars that are used for heavy-duty tasks or driven in cities with high temp. Apart from different weights, there are also four different types of oils which are synthetic, semi-synthetic, racing, and conventional. Copyright 2023 Auto Care Aids | All Rights Reserved. However because the number after the W changes, this is slightly trickier. This motor oil is much better to use in hot weather. Car users often pose this question on car forums that can I put 10w40 instead of 5w30 and vice versa. Technically speaking, 5w10 graded motor oil is replaceable with 10w40 motor oil. The 15w40 motor oil can be used in diesel trucks, farm tractors, passenger cars, and many more. With thicker oil, the lead time of engine warm-up is increased. Cars With 3rd Row Seating And Good Gas Mileage, ACDelco Gold 48AGM 36 Month Warranty AGM BCI Group 48 Battery, Black, Optima Batteries 8020-164 35 RedTop Starting Battery. Is 10w40 good for cars with higher mileage? You should never use 10w40 instead of 5w30. The whole difference is the viscosity levels almost entirely determine their use in car models. Conversely, at higher temperatures, 5w30 has a viscosity rating of 30, which is also less than 10w40. 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. In contrast, the liquid-cooled system of vehicles acts basically as the cleaner. It depends on a lot of things. 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. No, you cannot put 10w40 instead of 5w30 under normal conditions. You should never use 10w40 instead of 5w30. However, the rule of thumb is to use what is recommended. At colder temperatures, like in a resting engine, the flow rate is bound to be lesser. 5w30 is suitable for small engines due to its features, viscosity, and lubricant. Can I use 10W40 instead of 5W30 in my lawnmower? But in actuality, it finds the thinness as well. Will 10w40 hurt a 5w30 engine? Basically, oil specifications by engine manufacturers are a tradeoff, your engine might even perform better with an oil type not recommended by your car engine maker. What happens if you put 10W40 oil instead of 5W30? What 0w-16 engine oil to choose? (Ans Explained), Do You Know Who Makes MicroGard Oil Filters? We have seen many car owners interchanging between 5w30 motor oil and 10w40 motor oil. Can You Use 10w30 Instead Of 5w20: External Temperature The lower the number before the "W" in these oils, the thinner the viscosity of the oil. what is the Difference between 5w30 and 10w40? It is synthetic motor oil. Read also >> Is it ok to use 10w40 instead of 10w30? But, a 5w30 would not offer the same protection as 10w40 because it is less thick at both high and low temps. No, you cannot put 10w40 instead of 5w30 under normal conditions. Its not recommended to mix oils as this can cause a lot of damage to the inside of your vehicle. Critical engine parameters like spark timing, valve timing, and timing chain adjustment will be disturbed if you use 10w40 instead of 5w30.