What is SAE 5w30?

What is SAE 5w30?

What does SAE 5W-30 mean? The short answer:The numbers represent the viscosity of the oil and the W stands for WINTER. This is why you would see something like this on the label: SAE 5W-30. In a 5W-30 for example, the number before the W describes the viscosity of the oil at low temperatures.

Can I use SAE 30 instead of 5w30 in my car?

No. SAE 30 is a single viscosity motor oil. Only multi viscosity motor oils only should be used in any car. 5W30 is motor oil that is thinner when cold than 30 weight motor oil and thicker than 5 weight motor oil when hot.

Should I use high mileage oil or synthetic?

High mileage oil is designed for vehicles with more than 75,000 miles. Such oil features additives that help protect seals. This leads to less leakage and oil burn-off, which can be common in older cars. If your vehicle is high-mileage and high performance, it’s suggested that you go with this type of synthetic oil.

What’s the difference between high mileage oil and synthetic?

Conventional oils will thicken in cold weather and thin out when very hot, while the viscosity of synthetic is much more uniform. High mileage oil is formulated with conditioners that can swell gaskets and seals to stop leaks around valve covers and other areas where gaskets may have shrunk or cracked.

When should I change to high mileage?

There are two schools of thought about using high-mileage oils. The first is to switch when your vehicle reaches 75,000 miles. The second is to switch if your older vehicle is beginning to show signs of engine loosening. If you notice an oil drip, that’s a sign you should start using high-mileage engine oil.

Are high mileage oil changes worth it?

If an engine isn’t burning or leaking oil, or if it uses, say, less than a quart over 6,000 miles or so, switching to high-mileage oil may not be worth the extra cost for you. High-mileage motor oil doesn’t hurt and it could prevent leaks from starting.

Is high mileage oil a gimmick?

High mileage oil prevents or may even stop some engine oil leaks because of additives in the oil that softens the engine seals and they swell a bit. No it is not a gimmick. Long-life oils have a lot of additives in them to enable them to function effectively for around 50% longer than a regular oil of the same spec.

Which high mileage oil is best?

Best High Mileage Motor Oil

• Top Pick. Castrol GTX High Mileage Motor Oil.
• Runner Up. Mobil 1 High Mileage Motor Oil.
• Honorable Mention. Pennzoil High Mileage Motor Oil.
• Best High Mileage Motor Oil. Valvoline MaxLife Higher Mileage Motor Oil.

How much does high mileage oil cost?

High mileage motor oils cost at least $2 more per quart than regular oil (conventional or synthetic). Based on national averages before discounts, the price range for a high mileage oil change with conventional oil is $30-$65, and a synthetic high mileage oil change costs $55-$85.

Can you go from high mileage oil to regular?

You can always go back to regular oil after using the High Mileage products.

Should I use thicker oil in a high mileage 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.

Will thicker oil stop lifter noise?

When you have low oil volume or low oil pressure, you’ll commonly hear a “clattering noise” coming from the engine’s valves. Adding more oil will make the noise go away, but it won’t solve the underlying cause of the noisy engine – the oil leak.

What is the best oil for old engines?

When you’re choosing the best oil for older cars or high mileage engines, there are several criteria you can look at.

• Pennzoil High Mileage Conventional Motor Oil.
• Castrol GTX Part-Synthetic High Mileage.
• Valvoline MaxLife High Mileage Synthetic Blend.
• Mobil1 High Mileage Engine Oil.
• Amsoil Premium Protection Motor Oil.

Which is thicker 5W30 or 0W40?

5W30: Again from the combination of the numbers and alphabet, it show that the viscosity (5W) is higher relative to that of 0W40, therefore it is thick an not thin. The 30 in the 5W30 means that the motor oil will drop within certain viscosity limit at 100oC.

Is 0W40 good for winter?

Clevy. M1 0w40 oil will work fine in the winter. The 0w part is what counts in cold weather, not the 40 part. So, no, it is not too thick at start up… it is in fact, one of the least thick 40 grade oils at start up, at VERY COLD temperatures…as in -40* C, which also happens to be -40*F… as in really really COLD.

What cars use 0W40?

0W-40 motor oil. 0W-40 oils are recommended by automakers for many types of European vehicles, including Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen. The viscosity is gaining popularity with American automakers for high performance engines in both cars and pickup trucks.

Is 5w40 thicker than 0W40?

0w40 will have better flow characterizes in cold and usually sheer a bit in the heat down to a 30 weight oil. 5w40 will be a thicker oil that will maintain viscosity in the heat better.

Can you use 0W40 instead of 5W40?

Well, for a start, we can see that they have the same viscosity when heated to normal engine operating temperatures so that won’t set them apart. If you live in a part of the country that sees very cold winters then 0W40 is likely a better choice for your engine than 5W40.

Can you put 0W40 in a 5W40 engine?

Therefore, it can be recommended that for car owners living in cold areas to utilize 0W40, while those owner who live in high temperature zones should use 5W40 for their car engines.

Can you mix 0W40 and 5W40?

It is perfectly OK to top off with a premium synthetic 0W-40 if filled with synthetic 5W-40. Your engine will not know the difference and its done all the time.