Engine oil is one of the most important supplements for any type of engine.
The performance of the combustion engines depends on the condition of its parts, the friction between the different mating parts, and the smoothness between the parts during operation.
Engine oils and other lubricants enhance the working of the combustion engines by maintaining an efficient environment between the parts.
Key Takeaways
- 10w30 is better for colder climates than w30, as it has a lower viscosity at low temperatures.
- w30 is more suitable for warmer climates than 10w30, as it has a higher viscosity at high temperatures.
- Various factors, such as engine age and driving conditions, should be considered when choosing between the two.
10w30 vs w30
10W30 is a type of motor oil and has a lower viscosity in cold temperatures, allowing it to flow more freely at startup. W30 is a type of motor oil that maintains a constant viscosity regardless of temperature, which can provide better protection in hot environments.
10w30 is a type of gear oil that is used in high-performance automobiles such as heavy load carrying trucks, diesel automobiles, and other vehicles that are used for heavy operations.
It is multigrade gear oil and it has the ability to change its viscosity depending on the temperature conditions.
W30 is a static grade gear oil that is used very commonly in everyday use engines, such as chainsaw engines, lawnmower engines, and other air-cooled engines.
The oil protects the engine internals from carbon deposition and prevents clogging in the engine. It is a single-grade oil and its viscosity does not change with changing temperature conditions.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of comparison | 10w30 | w30 |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | 10w30 is a multigrade gear oil | W30 is a single grade or solid gear oil |
| Viscosity | It has a variable viscosity which changes according to the temperature | It has a stable viscosity |
| Working conditions | This oil is only suitable for low-temperature situations | This oil is suitable for high-temperature conditions |
| Consistency | 10w30 oil is not as thick as other 30 grade oils | W30 oil has a thick consistency |
| Type of engines | This oil is mostly used for automobile engines | This oil is mostly used for light, air-cooled engines |
What is 10w30?
10w30 is a type of multigrade gear oil that is very commonly used in automobile engines. It is a light oil and is mostly for heavy load automobiles, such as cargo trucks, commercial vehicles, diesel automobiles, and so on.
It is a multigrade oil and thus it has the ability to change its viscosity depending on the atmospheric temperature in the engine. Thus the consistency of the oil changes with change in temperature.
In normal temperature conditions, 10w30 has a thin and light consistency. This is in stark contrast to other 30w grade oils, as these oils have a thick consistency.
Due to its thin consistency, 10w30 is not suitable for use in high-temperature conditions. Thus this oil is mostly used in low or moderate temperature conditions.
This oil provides excellent cold start conditions to the engines and helps the engines in coming up to the required pressure conditions during low-temperature situations.
Another benefit of using this oil is that it protects the engines from carbon deposition. Thus the oil prevents clogging of the internals of the engine, by maintaining a thick layer over the internal mating parts of the engine.
This increases the efficiency as well as the life of the engines.
What is w30?
W30 is a type of engine oil that is used in many light-duty and air-cooled combustion engines. This oil is mostly used in engines used for light-duty work, such as lawnmower engines, chainsaw engines, and so on.
W30 is single-grade solid engine oil. This oil has a constant viscosity and its viscosity remains the same in different temperature conditions.
Thus due to a static viscosity, this oil can be used in different temperature situations, without the risk of oil clogging.
W30 oils have a thick consistency and thus it is ideal for use in high-temperature conditions. Vaporization of the oil is not possible due to the thick consistency of the oil and the stable viscosity.
Another advantage of using this oil is that it reduces friction between mating parts by creating a thick layer between the moving parts. This layer prevents the shearing of parts by acting as a tight seal between the parts.
As a sealant, the oil also reduces oil consumption by preventing any oil leakage in the engine. This not only increases the efficiency of the engine but also increases the lifetime of the engine by reducing any possible wear in the internal components of the engine.
Main Differences Between 10w30 and w30
- 10w30 is a multigrade gear oil. W30 is a single grade or solid gear oil
- 10w30 has a variable viscosity which changes according to the temperature. w30 has a stable viscosity
- 10w30 is only suitable for low temperature situations. w30 is suitable for high temperature conditions
- 10w30 oil is not as thick as other 30 grade oils. W30 oil has a thick consistency
- 10w30 oil is mostly used for automobile engines. w30 oil is mostly used for light, air-cooled engines
- https://www.koreascience.or.kr/article/JAKO199322452069457.page
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X17307750
Last Updated : 14 July, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
