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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 5w20 oil was precisely considered when your engine was created, all of the parts that come into contact with it must be a specific viscosity after the engine reaches operating temperature, or 212a.
5w20 oil will have a lower viscosity than 5w30 oil at this temperature; it will flow considerably 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 use 5w30 oil instead of 5w20 when it is not advised or permitted by your owner’s manual, it could violate the powertrain warranty on your car, impair engine performance, and ultimately harm your engine.
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What Takes Place If 5W-30 Oil Is Used Instead of 5W-20?
The engine in your car is designed and optimized to work with a certain type of oil. Internal engine components may be harmed if you use 5W-30 oil instead of the 5W-20 recommended by the manufacturer of your car. Additionally, your engine could have performance problems including reduced fuel efficiency and horsepower.
A Comparison of 5W-20 and 5W-30 Oil
Since 5W-30 and 5W-20 both have the winter rating, their viscosity in cooler temperatures is the same. The two behave very differently when the temperature exceeds 104 degrees Fahrenheit, though, which is the major difference.
When the engine achieves working temperature, 5W-30, which has a higher rating than 5W-20, will thicken. Your engine will produce less horsepower and use more fuel while using 5W-30 oil since a thicker consistency equals more resistance.
Having said that, the 5W-30 provides significantly more effective engine protection in hot regions than the 5W-20. It also seems to be the more popular option because it can be used in a wide range of vehicles with different engines.
However, 5W-20 has a lower friction coefficient than 30 because of its thinner viscosity. As a result, there will be reduced drag on the crankshaft, valve train, and pistons of the engine. Additionally, the 5W-20 might improve fuel economy in colder climates.
Will 5w30 work in a Hyundai Sonata?
If you’ve never owned a Hyundai Sonata before, you might need to be aware of the recommended maintenance schedule. What kind of oil, for instance, should you use in your car? You’re in luck since we’ve done a ton of research and have all the solutions below.
The recommended oil for a Hyundai Sonata is 5w-20 or 5w-30. When obtaining an oil change, you can select to use synthetic or conventional products, so keep that in mind. Every 3,500 to 5,000 miles for conventional oil changes and every 7,500 to 10,000 miles for synthetic blends.
The health of your car’s engine depends on the oil you use. This post will go over why it’s crucial to use the Sonata’s recommended oil types from Hyundai. Continue reading to find out the answers to more frequently asked questions about Hyundai Sonata oil changes.
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Can I substitute 5W30 for 5W20 in a high mileage vehicle?
Let’s discuss the distinctions between 5W20 and 5W30 now that you are aware of the many types of oil that are available. This will remind you that these two very different oil kinds should not be mixed up.
Let’s first explain what each number and letter in an oil’s description represents. For instance, in 5W20, the “W” stands for “winter,” and the “5” designates the oil’s classification.
This reveals how the oil will perform in cooler climates. In this situation, the bigger number, 20, denotes how well the oil performs in hot conditions.
By looking at these data, you may determine the thickness of oil at any particular temperature. You should choose one with greater numbers if your oil is thicker.
With this knowledge, we may say that 5W30 is thicker than 5W20. Oil with a thicker viscosity does not flow as smoothly as oil with a lighter viscosity.
You should use a thinner oil for cold-weather performance and a thicker oil for warm-weather performance.
If the manufacturer of your car advises using 5W20, stick with that brand. The appropriate viscosity type for your car depends on how the engine was constructed by the manufacturer, even though both 5W20 and 5W30 motor oils are suitable for high mileage engines.
If you use 5W30 when it’s recommended that you use 5W20, your car may not obtain decent fuel economy. Use the same type of oil as recommended in order to get the maximum performance out of your car.
Can I use 5w30 in a car with a high mileage?
With over 75,000 miles on the odometer, Mobil 1 High Mileage 5W-30 advanced full synthetic motor oil is made to safeguard vital engine components for up to 10,000 miles in between oil changes and help extend engine life.
Nothing works better overall than Mobil 1, a motor oil that is a part of many various car models, including a few high-performance ones.
Specifically created for high mileage vehicles, Mobil 1 High Mileage 5W-30 motor oil is made with a specific combination of high-performance synthetic base stocks and is strengthened with a carefully balanced additive component system.
ExxonMobil advises using Mobil 1 High Mileage 5W-30 motor oil in high mileage cars, especially those that have previously used lower-quality conventional oils+, such as:
- Cars
- Trucks
- SUVs
- Vans
The Mobil 1 High Mileage 5W-30 motor oil excels both our traditional and synthetic mix high mileage oils in terms of overall lubrication and wear protection. It also meets or exceeds the strictest industry standards. Additionally, the sophisticated full synthetic formula can:
- Boost engine longevity
- Utilize active cleaning solutions to remove engine sludge
- Eliminate leaks
*Protection lasts for a year or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. Read our Mobil 1 limited warranty for more details.
+Mobil 1 High Mileage can assist by minimizing the sludge left behind in your engine if it has excessive sludge deposits as a result of subpar maintenance procedures. Short oil change intervals (3,000–5,000 miles) are advised for the first couple of oil changes as the sludge is reduced in severe cases of sludge. Even Mobil 1 cannot undo years of negligence in cases of engine damage that may have been caused by subpar maintenance.
What occurs if I use 5W20 rather than 5W30?
Most mechanics will caution you against combining two multigrade lubricants, even though some engines may permit it. Using the incorrect oil or combining two different oils might occasionally void your car’s warranty and result in exorbitant repair costs.
Additionally, you run the danger of shortening the life of your internal combustion engine.
Mixing 5W-20 and 5W-30 (or any other oils, for that matter) could cause your engine to wear down more quickly and eventually have issues with the important engine parts’ fundamental operation.
Additionally, combining various viscosity grade oils won’t have any apparent effects, even if your engine permits it. Therefore, even if the oil viscosity grade your car engine needs can vary, it’s preferable to just use one viscosity rating at a time.
Do 5W20 and 5W30 differ significantly from one another?
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.
What oil is an alternative to 5w20?
Similar SAE ratings for 10w30 and 5w20 engine oils indicate that they will function similarly at running or high temperatures. As previously noted, the number 30 denotes the oil’s viscosity at high temperatures. Because 10w30 tends to thicken in cold climates, 5w20 is more appropriate for these settings.
Does 5W 20 oil have a high mileage rating?
With over 75,000 miles on the odometer, Mobil 1 High Mileage 5W-20 advanced full synthetic motor oil is made to safeguard vital engine components for up to 10,000 miles in between oil changes and help extend engine life.
Specifically created for high mileage vehicles, Mobil 1 High Mileage 5W-20 motor oil is made with a specific combination of high-performance synthetic base stocks and is strengthened with a carefully balanced additive component system.
ExxonMobil advises using Mobil 1 Heavy Mileage 5W-20 motor oil in high mileage cars.
(including those who have employed conventional oils of poorer quality+), for example:
Does Hyundai advise using synthetic motor oil?
While conventional oil only lasts between 3,000 and 5,000 miles before it needs to be replenished, synthetic oil can last up to 10,000 miles before it needs to be changed. We absolutely recommend synthetic oil for the Hyundai Elantra because it offers drivers many more advantages than conventional oil does.
Is 5w30 a good summer oil?
All motor oils are rated according to their viscosity, or resistance to flow, and how well they operate in high and low temperatures. The best motor oil for your car is one that can survive the hottest conditions found there and continue to function in the coldest conditions. One of the most popular oils on the market, 5w30 oil is suitable for a wide variety of temperatures.
A popular motor oil for light-duty gasoline and diesel engines is 5w30. 5w30 is a multi-grade oil, like the majority of modern motor oils, ranging from a lower viscosity grade of 5 to a higher viscosity grade of 30.
Winter is indicated by the “W,” which stands for that season. The number before the “W” denotes the oil’s viscosity (or thickness) at low temperatures, hence the “W,” while the number after it denotes viscosity at higher temperatures, or when the engine is operating.
In comparison to, say, 10w30, 5w30 motor oil has a winter viscosity grade of five, making it less viscous (thick) at very low temperatures. Given that it has a hot viscosity grade of 30, it is less viscous at high temperatures than an oil like 5w50.
Always use the oil that the creator of your car recommends. However, 5w30 oil is a great option if you drive your car in an area with significant seasonal temperature differences because it can operate in temperatures as low as -30°C and as high as 35°C.
For vehicles operated in cold regions, 5w30 oil is a particularly good choice. When the engine is started at low temperatures, unlike oils with greater hot temperature ratings, such as 10 or 15, 5w30 oil can flow freely enough to coat and protect the engine’s internal components. It’s also a smart choice for lengthy journeys that require more gasoline and exposure to heat.
One of the most often used motor oils is 5w30 since it can be utilized in a number of cars and engine types. Because of its wide viscosity range, 5w30 can lubricate, seal, and safeguard an engine’s internal parts in a variety of climatic situations. The simplicity of not needing to adjust oil weights according to the seasons is brought on by this ability to perform well in both the summer and the winter. The decreased viscosity of 5w30 oil also results in higher fuel economy and less stress on the oil pump.
Because of its incredible versatility, 5w30 motor oil can operate in a huge variety of engine types and temperature ranges.
Because it flows more readily in colder temperatures, 5w30 is frequently recommended as the motor oil to use whether you have a light-duty petrol or diesel engine. While the engine is working hard in the summer heat, an oil with a lower viscosity is more prone to breakdown, leading to greater wear on engine components. At the same time, it is able to maintain a safe viscosity.