In today’s world, multigrade oils are renowned for helping vehicles in many ways. 5w30 and 0w40 oils would show results in different climatic conditions.
People can know the viscosity of multigrade oils with the help of the SAE number. The 5w30 oil is suitable for hot weather conditions, whereas the effects of 0w40 are better in cold weather conditions.
Key Takeaways
- 5W30 is a multi-grade oil with a viscosity rating of 5 in cold temperatures and 30 at normal operating temperatures, whereas 0W40 has a viscosity rating of 0 in cold temperatures and 40 at normal operating temperatures.
- 0W40 offers better flow at extremely low temperatures than 5W30, improving cold-start performance.
- Both oils are suitable for various vehicle engines, but 0W40 is recommended for high-performance vehicles or those operating in colder climates.
5w30 vs 0w40
The difference between 5w30 and 0w40 is that 5w30 has a thick consistency and is less flowy. On the other hand, 0w40 has a flowy consistency which allows it to follow faster. The weather condition and environmental factors affect the working mechanism of both 5w30 and 0w40.
The 5w30 is the best option for summer months with high temperatures. The thick and less flowy texture would get thinner in hot weather. The number 5 stands for the viscosity level of the oil.
The 5w30 helps to lubricate the engine of vehicles to make them work. Lubricating the engine with a 5w30 is difficult as its thickness would not allow it to touch all the engine parts
0w40 is a thin and watery multigrade oil for engine lubrication. With time, the engine gets heating issues and would not work. 0w40 is the best for cold weather due to its thin consistency.
The cool air in cold weather would not freeze the 0w40 oil. Usage of 0w40 oil is easy and would take very little time.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | 5w30 | 0w40 |
|---|---|---|
| Consistency | Thick | Thin |
| Climatic condition | Hot climatic conditions | Both hot and cold climatic conditions |
| Usage | Usage is difficult and time taking | Usage is easy and less time taking |
| SAE number | 5 | 0 |
| Prices | Less expensive as compared to 0w40 | Expensive as compared to 0w40 |
What is 5w30?
5w30 is a popular engine oil with high viscosity. The winter months are not suitable for 5w30. The consistency of 5w30 is very thick, and this is the reason behind its slow movement.
The oil would move very slowly into all the engine parts. The price of 5w30 is budget-friendly and would show results for a long period.
Frequent maintenance is not essential if you use 5w30 oil for engine lubrication. Prepare yourself for spending a long time if 5w30 is used for your vehicle’s engine.
To make 5w30 work faster, you can mix it with 0w40. Always remember not to mix multigrade oils from different brands.
If you combine 5w30 and 0w40, take a single brand for both oils. Choosing the correct multigrade oil weight for the engine is essential.
Therefore, the vehicle owner should consult a mechanic to find the right oil for the engine. The use of 5w30 is not helpful for fuel economy.
The thick oils are not for increasing fuel mileage. Therefore, people concerned about fuel mileage should avoid using 5w30. People can use 5w30 on hot winter and summer days.
The 5w30 gets thicker if people use it in the winter months.
What is 0w40?
0w40 is a multigrade oil with the perfect texture that works in the summer and winter months. Generally, people use 0w40 in the winter months, but this oil is equally good in the summer months.
0w40 is a top-performing oil but would fail to maintain the health of the engine for a long duration in the summer months. Winters are the best months for claiming the benefits of 0w40.
In winter, the cold temperature would not freeze the oil as the thin or watery consistency of 0w40 is not easy to freeze. This oil would solve the engine issues within a few minutes.
The vehicle owner would have to put very little effort into 0w40. The 0w40 oil is a good option for fuel economy and mileage.
The results or lasting time of 0w40 depends on the engine condition and environmental factors. In winters, the effects of 0w40 would last longer, but not in summer months.
The thin consistency of 0w40 would not hold its properties for a long time. Many reputed brands such as Mercedez Benz finds 0w40 as one of the best oil.
0w40 claims top performance engine and long-lasting effects. The weight of 0w40 is less than 5w30. The presence of 0 in the oil name stands for the smoothness and high flow speed of oil due to less viscosity.
Main Differences Between 5w30 and 0w40
- 5w30 is a viscous multigrade oil for summer days, whereas 0w40 is less viscous oil for winter.
- 5w30 is used for long-lasting results in the summer months, whereas 0w40 is for long-lasting results in the winter months.
- 5w30 is not more prone to thickening if used in the winter months. On the other hand, the 0w40 is at risk of thickening if used in the winter months.
- 5w30 is not a versatile oil and is unsuitable for being used in the winter months. 0w40 is a flexible oil for both the winter and summer months.
- The viscosity of 5w30 starts from 12.4 mm2/s, whereas the viscosity measurement of 0w40 begins from 3.8 mm2/s.
- https://www.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/2000-01-1992/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037843711931252X
Last Updated : 20 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.
