Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil, 5 Quart, Mobil 1 (Part No. 14991)
In This Article...
Can I substitute 0W-20 oil for 5w20 oil?
My car is intended to use 5W-20 motor oil, a reader writes. I unknowingly purchased 0W-20 and changed my oil without realizing it. Is it okay to keep using the 0W-20?
Our response: 0W-20 is typically a completely suitable replacement for 5W-20. Both goods are 20-weight motor oils when used in normal conditions. However, if the car is still covered by warranty, employing 0W-20 might not be appropriate in your situation (see more below).
What occurs if I use 5w30 as opposed to 5w20?
It is generally not advised to substitute 5w30 oil (or any other oil weight) for 5w20 oil because even a small viscosity change has the potential to harm your engine.
Because your engine was developed with 5w20 oil in mind when it was constructed, all of the parts that come into contact with it must be a specified viscosity after the engine hits operational temperature, or 212.
5w20 oil will have a lower viscosity than 5w30 oil at this temperature; it will flow more easily and with less resistance. When 5w30 is used in place of 5w20, the engine will experience increased oil resistance once it reaches working temperature, which the engine is not built to manage.
If you substitute 5w30 oil for 5w20 when doing so is not advised or authorized by the owners handbook, it could violate your car’s powertrain warranty, impair engine performance, and ultimately harm your engine.
Using the proper oil keeps your engine operating at its best.
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Is 0W-20 equivalent to 5W20?
The ability of an oil to flow is measured by its viscosity. It also describes the thickness of the oil at various temperature levels.
When operating in freezing temperatures, 0W-20 motor oil performs like an SAE 0W weight oil. While 5W-20 oil functions as an SAE 5W weight oil.
The better the motor oil performs at low temperatures, according to SAE nomenclature, the lower the number before the ‘W’ is. Since 0W20 is much thinner than 5W-20, it is more stable at low temperatures and flows easily through the essential engine components.
A more suitable oil for a typical operating temperature range of -22F to 68F is 5W-20, which has a viscosity that is relatively thicker.
What happens if I substitute 5W 20 for 0W 20?
One of the low-temperature grades added to the SAE J300 EOVC system after 1952 is 0W20 motor oil (0W20 oil). It is a liquid designed to behave as an SAE 20 once the engine reaches its operating temperature but flow as easily as an SAE 0 in subzero conditions.
Even at -35C/-31F, this type of oil will still start to flow through the engine’s oil channels. This oil lubricates important engine components, making it simpler for you to start your engine cold in the winter.
W20 vs 5W20 Fuel Economy
Another low-temperature grade often advised for winter use is 5W20 motor oil, with 10W-30 serving as an option for higher temperatures. Because it offers the best fuel economy, reduces fuel consumption, and produces fewer exhaust pollutants, this oil type is widely used. Motor companies and governments all around the world, led by those in Japan, Europe, and the US, are looking for 5W20.
Low viscosity, high-quality synthetic grades 0W20 and 5W20 can both significantly improve fuel economy. When employed in fair-weather temperatures, their attributes are identical. When utilized in cold temperatures, there is little to no difference between the two variants.
0W-20 oil—is it too thin?
an inquiry from a reader “For my new pickup truck, the recommended engine oil is 0W-20. This is a significant adjustment for me because I have never owned a car that required anything other than 5W-30. 0W-20 oil appears excessively thin, and I have serious doubts. I requested that my dealer allow me to use at least 5W-20, but they claim that 0W-20 must be used in order to keep my warranty in effect. For my new engine, is 0W-20 safe?
Answer: Without a doubt, 0W-20 is safe for your engine. Since the beginning of the previous decade, manufacturers have required 5W-20 and 0W-20, and there is absolutely no proof that engine wear rates have gone up. Engine wear has never been lower because of the enormous advancements made in the last 15 years in engine designs, materials, and motor oil chemistry. The 5W-20 and 0W-20 grades are quickly replacing the 5W-30 grade in new cars. A brand-new car with the specification 5W-30 will be uncommon by the end of this decade. In fact, in the upcoming years, anticipate to see even lower viscosities, such 0W-16.
Why do auto manufacturers advise using thinner motor oils? merely to maximize fuel efficiency. However, this pattern has persisted long enough for us to draw the conclusion that there are no negative effects in terms of shortened engine life.
Regarding the second half of your query, which asks whether it is advantageous to use 5W-20 instead of the advised 0W-20, we see no justification for doing so. Let’s utilize the characteristics of the 0W-20 and 5W-20 AMSOIL Signature Series oils to demonstrate our point.
The measured in is the industry standard for assessing viscosity at operational temperature “at 100C, centistokes.
- 8.7 centistokes for AMSOIL Signature Series 5W-20.
- 8.8 centistokes for the AMSOIL Signature Series 0W-20.
The 0W-20 and 5W-20 are consequently nearly equal in terms of thickness or viscosity at working temperatures. Because it would provide a very minor increase in terms of cold weather start-up protection, the car maker chose a 0W-20 oil.
We choose a 0W-20 for year-round use even though our daily driver requires a 5W-20 in order to have the optimum start-up protection. Even in sweltering weather, we observe absolutely no oil usage in between oil changes.
In conclusion, you may be sure that a high-quality 0W-20 motor oil will provide the best wear control. Enjoy your new truck, and you may use 0W-20 motor oil with confidence.
Which is preferable, 5W 30 or 0W-20?
Pay particular attention to the quality testing done while selecting a motor oil. Both the API donut and the starburst sign should be visible on the packaging.
The American Petroleum Institute’s testing was successful, as evidenced by the API donut. The starburst is also used to demonstrate eligibility for SL service.
Location
You must take the region into account while selecting the ideal oil viscosity from the suggested possibilities. For instance, 5W20 can be used in somewhat warmer settings while OW20 will perform better in cold climates like Maine or Alaska.
Having knowledge of the temperature range aids in selecting the proper oil. The temperature range for 0W-20 oil is -40 to 68F. In contrast, the operating temperature range for 5W20 oil is -31F to 68F and for 5W30 oil is -31F to 104F.
Fuel Economy
Because the lubricant flows more easily, the higher the fuel efficiency, the thinner the oil viscosity. As a result, 5W20 will run similarly to 0W20 once the engine has warmed up, but 0W20 will be more fuel-efficient during startup.
In both colder and warmer climates, 0W20 offers greater fuel efficiency than 5W30. However, 5W20 only performs better than 5W30 in hotter environments.
You can give the engine the protection it needs to last longer by using the proper oil in it. Make sure you do your study before selecting oil to attain the performance level you need.
What is engine oil 0W-20?
In colder temperatures, 0W-20 motor oil flows as freely as 0 Weight oil, but once the engine reaches operating temperature, it behaves more like 20 Weight oil. This guarantees that oil will begin to flow through the engine right away, lubricating important engine components even in cold weather.
The ‘W’ in viscosity descriptions does not, contrary to popular belief, stand for weight. In actuality, it represents Winter. This means that synthetic 0W-20 oil performs as a 0 Weight oil in cold areas but becomes as thick and viscous as a 20 Weight oil once the typical engine temperature has been attained.
Castrol EDGE, a cutting-edge full synthetic 0W-20 motor oil, is part of the company’s line of low viscosity 0W-20 lubricants. It is our toughest oil and is made to endure high temperatures and pressure. For those who want to push their car to the limit, it’s the perfect choice. Full synthetic 0W-20 motor oil liquid Castrol GTX MAGNATEC is designed with protective, clever ingredients that offer outstanding wear prevention.
Better oil to use: 5w20 or 5w30?
The two oils are not superior to or inferior to one another. Your engine needs and the type of vehicle are the determining factors.
You should take into account two things while selecting the ideal multigrade engine oil for your vehicle:
- The recommended oil viscosity grade for your engine
- The temperature that your automobile usually operates at (whether you drive in colder temperature or hotter climates)
Even though certain automobiles do provide some variation in engine oil choices, the majority have a suggested viscosity grade. This is due to the fact that engines are built to run on a particular oil viscosity, and changing that could have an impact on the performance of your engine.
Ideally, 5W 30 oil is ideal for drivers who frequent more extreme weather conditions. Compared to 5W-20 oil, it has a higher viscosity index and a wider operating temperature range. In both colder and hotter climes, 5W 30 oil will provide better protection.
For people who reside in colder climates with low temperatures, 5W-20 oil is recommended. It is suitable for light-duty applications and engines with moderate temperature ranges. In cooler conditions, 5W-20 oil offers good start-up performance.
Note: An oil with a high mileage rating may be required for older vehicles (5W-20 or 5W-30). In this instance, the high mileage oil provides the engine with superior friction and engine drag protection at high temperatures.
Definition of 5w20 Vs. 5w30
The engine oil type 5w20 is distinguished by its oil weight of 20 in warm weather and a winter grade of 5. It has a lower viscosity than 5w30. While 5w30 has the same viscosity rating of 5 in the winter, it has an oil weight of 30 in the summer, making it thicker.
Working conditions for 5w20 Vs. 5w30
For use in cooler climates, use 5w20. As it moves swiftly and smoothly to deeper engine components with less friction, it makes it possible for a vehicle’s engine to start up rapidly. It immediately lubricates the components. In contrast, 5w30 performs well in warm environments. Unlike 5w20, it does not thin out quickly when exposed to heat. The engine components are therefore better protected overall when using 5w30 at operational temperatures.
Performance of 5w20 Vs. 5w30
These two engine oils function well in the environments for which they were created. Due to its low viscosity and reduced friction in the engine parts, 5w20 is a champion in colder regions with speedier engine starts. In hotter regions where a thick oil is required to resist the higher temperatures, 5w30 excels. Naturally, the engine will heat up more, necessitating a thicker oil. In colder climates, 5w20 is associated with higher performance and fuel economy, whereas 5w30 is associated with better overall engine component protection.