Every car engine is built to run on a specific grade of oil, unlike fuel that can be used by any car. The two most popular oils for trucks and vehicles are 5w20 and 5w30; you should know which one is recommended for your car because using the wrong oil type can damage your car’s internal engine part.
Before answering the question Can I Use 5w30 Instead of 5w20, we must first look at the type of oils in the market and how motor oils work. Then, read on to know more about the difference between 5w30 and 5w20, the best 5w30 oils in the market, and if you can use it in place of the 5w20 oil.
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Can I Use 5w30 Instead Of 5w20?
No, you should not use an incorrect oil viscosity, such as 5W30 instead of 5W20, as it can cause problems in your engine. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure proper lubrication and protection of your engine.
Types of Oils Explained
Motor oils combine base oils, chemicals, detergents, additives, and other dispersants. Sometimes, polymers are added as an essential ingredient in oils to enhance their viscosity in temperature extremes. Thin oils are suitable for driving in cold atmospheres while thicker ones for hot temperatures.
Though all motor oils serve the same purpose, they are different types and grades. Therefore, let us first look at the types of motor oil before moving on to the grade types. We have four major types of oils, as listed below.
- Mineral or conventional oil
- Synthetic oil
- Semi-synthetic oil
- High mileage oil
Conventional oil
Conventional oil is considered the crudest type of oil whose technology paved the way for improvement in the motor oil industry. It functions under a wide range of temperatures and suits older vehicles and conservative driving styles.
It comes in various qualities or grades and is cheaper when compared to other types of oil. It works with older vehicles because they have a simple engine design. The expected change interval is after 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
Due to being the oldest type of oil, conventional oil is inefficient in extreme temperatures, and they require frequent replacement because they offer very little lubrication against frictional heat.
Semi-synthetic oil
The semi-synthetic category is the improved form of conventional or mineral oils. They offer both the synthetic oil performance and the affordability of traditional oil, coupled with 3x better protection when compared to conventional oils.
Semi-synthetic oil is also called synthetic blend oil because it combines full synthetic oils and mineral oils. The presence of synthetic oil enhances its wear resistance and viscosity at higher stress and extreme temperatures.
It resists oxidation and improves overall performance coverage to about 7,500 miles with additives. This oil is used by vehicles transitioning from mineral oil to fully synthetic oils. However, they are not as efficient as full synthetic oils.
Synthetic oil
Also known as full synthetic oils, they deliver greater fuel efficiency and excellent protection to your engine’s components. In addition, due to the cutting-edge technology used in its defense, they are superior to other oils in the market.
After going through extensive treatments in the laboratory and continuous breakdown into essential molecules, it comes out in the purest form. They offer superior lubrication and are very consistent in their shape and size.
Furthermore, they are fully functional in extreme temperatures and extraordinary stress. These qualities make these oils significantly costly. However, the change interval is between 10,000 to 20,000 miles, making the price worth it. As a result, it is in high demand among peak performance cars.
High Mileage Oil
Lastly, high mileage oil delivers excellent performance for engines that have surpassed 75,000 miles, hence the name ‘high mileage oil‘ -highly recommended to protect your vehicle from things like oil leaks and burnout.
In addition, it provides greater flexibility and is suitable for vehicles prone to wear, and comes in both the synthetic and conventional types. So, you can buy the best one depending on your car needs.
Understanding Motor Oil Grades
According to SAE- Society of Automotive Engineers, there are oil grades aside from the general oil types that you have read. Different oils come in various viscosities and react to extreme temperatures differently. Now, let us take an example with the 5w30 oil to understand engine oil grades.
The ‘W’ stands for Winter; it is seen after the first number and indicates how the motor oil will react to a cold temperature. The number before the ‘W,’ in this case, 5, represents that parameter that informs us about how the oil flows in cold temperatures.
The number following the ‘W’ indicates how the oil is expected to react at average operating temperatures. The numbers before the ‘W’ follow the principle ‘the smaller the number, the better the flow.’
For instance, a 5w30 oil will flow better at cold temperature than a 10w30 oil. Also, a 5w20 oil will thin out faster at high temperatures when compared to a 5w30 oil. We hope you understand motor oil grades and can confidently interpret their meaning by now.
How Motor Oils Work?
Motor oils do not perform a similar function to the fuel in your car engine. Instead, oils act as a lubricant in the internal part of your car engine; it gives life to the engine but not in the same way your fuel does.
The lubrication system consists of a sump, oil galleries, oil pump, and oil filter. The sump is the location for oil storage while the galleries (similar to the veins in the body) transport the oil from the sump to other engine components.
The oil filter removes impurities before the oil pump (similar to the heart) pumps the oil. The oil is pumped under pressure and leaves a lubricating film that creates a slip or slippery effect on everything it touches.
The oil film ensures the components move smoothly and minimizes friction and wear while the car is in motion. In addition, service life and engine performance are enhanced when quality oil is used. Motor oils also transfer heat away from lubricated components (pistons, rings, cylinders, valve stems, and bearings).
Continuous motion generates more heat and hence, more work for the engine oil. Low-quality oil can become inefficient in this function. After a perfect cycle through the oil galleries (or veins as in the human body), the oil gains more heat and needs to cool in the sump by exposure to external air around it, then the process continues.
Motor oils also have friction modifiers, cleaning agents, and special detergents. Additives prevent internal deposits and improve overall operating efficiencies, while special detergents prevent smaller particles from grouping together and disperse more extensive deposits.
However, this is a short-term solution because oil protection levels drop through continuous usage and contamination. This contamination reduces the oil’s effectiveness to protect the components and gradually breaks down the lubricating film.
Which Motor Oil to Use?
Choosing the right motor oil to use for your car can be a daunting task, given the options of oils out there. The first step to knowing which motor oil to use is to check your car’s manual. This will save you from the mountain of information out there about various oil types and choices.
Your manufacturer’s manual will list the recommended oil weight and standard for your car. For example, you can see recommendations like 10w30, which refers to the oil thickness, and our section on Understanding motor oil grades sheds more light on it.
Depending on the season, you can adjust the weight and type of your motor oil for your car. Following your owner’s manual is acceptable for regular use (in modern temperatures). Also, choose the oil from a brand with the starburst symbol. This indicates that the product has been tested by API – American Petroleum Institute.
In addition, on the product container, you will notice the two-character service designation. For diesel engines, API’s latest standard is CK-4 and SP for gasoline engines. These letters are not arbitrary but are based on a series of laboratory tests.
They indicate the oil’s ability to protect the car’s engine from wear. You should make sure to buy oil under API’s current service standard list. At the moment, we have CK-4, CI-4, CJ-4, FA-4, and CH-4 for diesel engines and SN, SM, SP, SL, SJ for gasoline engines.
What Will Happen If You Put 5w30 Instead Of 5w20?
If you put 5w30 instead of 5w20 in your car engine, you risk damaging it because the internal components were designed to function effectively with the 5w20 oil. In addition, though both 5w30 and 5w20 have the same winter rating (same thickness under cold temperature), they slightly differ in thickness under warmer temperatures.
At average operating temperature (for example, 212° Fahrenheit), the 5w30 oil has a higher viscosity (thickness) than 5w20. The oil’s viscosity rating is determined by its flow resistance at temperature extremes. The higher the number, the higher the resistance and flow.
Low viscosity oil improves overall efficiency and reduces oil flow resistance in cold atmospheres, whereas high viscosity oils provide heavier protection in warmer climates. Also, you can nullify your power train warranty with the wrong oil type.
Your owner’s manual gives a piece of detailed information about the correct type of oil to use for your vehicle. Then, read our section on which motor oil to use and understand motor oil grades to help you make the right choice.
Best 5w30 Oils
Choosing the best 5w30 oil takes a lot of time, though, and effort. So, we have made your job easier and come up with a list of the best 5w30 oils in the market. 5w30 oils are artificial lubricants that consist of artificially created compounds.
They are full synthetic oils made from artificial materials of petroleum composition, with a crude oil base. Various manufacturers follow different processes to produce their synthetic oils. Here is our recommendation of the five best 5w30 oils in the market (in no particular order).
5w-20 Vs 5w-30
The 5w20 and 5w30 are the most popular oils used in trucks and cars worldwide. Car owners sometimes use them interchangeably because there is so much confusion about them. However, there are substantial differences between both oil, as we would be seeing.
Performance
Both 5w20 and 5w30 perform efficiently in their standard operating condition and temperature. However, the 5w30 excels in hotter climates than the 5w20 oil because the thickness is necessary to resist more significant heat.
In such a climate, your car engine will increase temperature, requiring viscous lubricants like 5w30 oil. On the other hand, 5w20 is people’s favorite in colder temperatures because the oil weight is not a requirement in such cases.
5w20 has a lower thickness that reduces friction in your engine components and improves the overall fuel efficiency. The 5w20 is often associated with better performance, while the 5w30 offers improved engine part protection.
Fuel Economy
Though the fuel economy difference is minor, the viscosity of the 5w30 oil causes less drag among engine component and enhance smoother circulation and operation. However, it slightly reduces fuel economy, unlike its 5w20 counterpart.
5w20 is less dense at high temperatures when compared to 5w30. Again, though, the fuel economy difference is not noticeable unless you check it over time.
Operating Temperature
Due to thinner viscosity, 5w20 performs better than 5w30 at colder temperatures. However, 5w30 excels in operating temperature because it gives the same performance as 5w20 at lower temperatures and excels in higher temperatures due to higher weight.
Motor Oil Weight
These oils also differ in weight; the 5w30 has the same winter weight of 5 as 5w20 but weighs 30 in warmer weather. This makes it thicker and more efficient than the 5w20 in hotter conditions.
The table below summarizes the differences explained:
| S/N | Feature | 5w30 Oil | 5w20 Oil |
| 1 | Weight | Greater weight (30) in hot climates | Thinner and lighter in hot climates |
| 2 | Viscosity | More thick and heavy flow due to friction | Thin-oil with free-flow during less friction |
| 3 | Fuel Efficiency | Less fuel efficiency and poor performance in freezing temperatures | Excellent fuel efficiency and better performance in freezing temperatures |
| 4 | Suitable Climate | Summer and hotter conditions | Winter |
| 5 | Engine Performance | Engine starts slowly in cold temperature | Engine starts faster in cold temperature |
| 6 | High-temperature exposure | Excellent engine protection because of its viscosity during tropical climates | Engine parts are exposed to wear during tropical climate because oil breaks down faster. |
The Importance of Changing Your Oil on Time
Changing your oil on time is the most critical vehicle maintenance routine. Regular oil changes are vital to keeping your car running smoothly. Your preferred mechanic should perform an oil change service for you and advise when need be.
You cannot ignore having a regular oil change for the following reasons.
Better Gas mileage
The total gas mileage your car covers per gallon depends on your vehicle maintenance, driving habit, terrain, environment, and many more. Without proper maintenance, dirt and grit will build up inside the engine causing frictional wear.
Friction is not a friend to your engine because it affects its performance and reduces fuel economy. To increase your gas mileage and reduce internal friction, ensure you have clean oil so that your engine can run more efficiently.
Protect other engine parts
The crankshaft and connecting rods are internal components that make your engine run smoothly. Any fault associated with these two and other parts like the camshaft can disrupt your day. In addition, you should ensure clean oil is available in your engine so that it can keep moving smoothly.
Keeping your engine clean
Continuous usage of your vehicle accumulates dirt from the fuel and mechanical movements over time. If you do not change your oil regularly, sludge will build up. Car owners living in dusty areas need more frequent changes because more particles will make their way through.
This calls for a regular change of motor oil and even the oil filter because it will overwork itself compared to other cars in neater areas. In addition, engine damage is imminent when dirt and such debris accumulates over time.
Longer engine life
Motor oils serve as lubricants and protect your engine’s internal components (See How Motor Oils works). Unfortunately, no matter the oil quality, it gets dirty over time due to usage. Hence, your oil needs to be changed regularly according to your owner’s manual specifications.
Sometimes this change is accompanied by an oil filter change so that you can keep the oil flow clean as it moves in cycles within your engine. Having this as a practice helps your car last for years to come without sudden failures when you need it the most.
Better engine performance
Due to heat transfer, over time, oil breaks down and loses its thickness or viscosity and its lubricating effect on the engine’s components. The dirtier the oil, the more sludge builds up and interrupts the flow to parts that need lubrication.
In addition, you need to change your oil regularly so that heat loss can be faster from other parts of the engine. When sludge is buildup, heat loss takes longer and ultimately affects the engine’s smooth performance.
Passing the vehicle emission test
Emissions tests have to do with the number of hydrocarbons released into the atmosphere from your car engine if you do not change your oil regularly, gradually, the presence of hydrocarbon increases in your engine’s crankcase, which in turn increases its release when you accelerate.
In addition, asides from the emissions test, operating an environmentally friendly vehicle requires a regular oil change. Therefore, if you are a fan of a sustainable environment, then you should opt-in for a routine oil change as your contribution to reducing the effect of air pollution.
The overall health of your car
When a regular oil change is a habit, it is an excellent opportunity for your mechanic to check the overall health of your car engine. In addition, due to the complexity of an oil change, which is impossible for most car owners to do themselves, your mechanic can call our attention to other faults while under the vehicle.
This saves you from more costly repairs because issues are detected before they occur due to a habit of a regular oil change.
FAQ
Is 5w30 Thicker Than 5w20?
Yes, the 5w30 is thicker than the 5w20 oil because the higher the number after the ‘W,’ the more dense the oil. Kindly see our Understanding Motor Oil Grades section to gain more insight into understanding such numbers.
What Is The Difference Between SAE 30 And 5w30?
SAE 30 oil is single grade, and it maintains its weight (30) in a calm environment, unlike the 5w30 (multi-grade), which holds a value of 5 in cooler temperatures and 30 in warmer temperatures. In addition, the SAE 30 has no thickness modifier and is mainly used in outdoor and gardening equipment like lawnmowers (4-cycle), while the 5w30 is mainly used for cars and trucks.
Can You Mix 5w20 And 5w30?
Yes, you can mix them, but it is not advisable even if it has the same API classification and manufacturer. Mixing both oils can lead to faster frictional wear and tear and affect your engine’s overall performance. Even if your car’s engine allows it, you will have no clear improvement by mixing them.
Wrapping Up
In simple terms, the answer to whether you can use 5w30 instead of 5w20 is no. This is because it is advisable to stick with the oil recommended by your car manufacturer, whether 5w20 or 5w30. In addition, a 5w20 motor oil implies a low viscosity oil that flows faster, and 5w30 speaks of oil that performs better in extreme conditions.
You can refer to our 5w20 Vs. 5w30 and Which Motor Oil to Use sections (where necessary) to help you make the right choice for your car.
