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Mixing motor oils won’t hurt your engine, but can void the warranty on your new car, and also not deliver the full benefits each of the oils has to offer to your engine.
In the same way, changing the oil you use for your car isn’t a bad idea, but you have to be sure that the new oil is suitable for your engine. 10w30 and 5w30 may have the same weight, but their viscosity varies, and that’s a point.
But can I use 10w30 instead of 5w30? Yes, you can use any of the two oils on your car, and we’ll talk more about this shortly.
Actually, if you’re scared of voiding the warranty on your car, changing or mixing oils can save you a reasonable cost. The “10” in 10w30 means the oil is thicker in cold temperatures than 5w30, and this can be beneficial for heavy-duty engines.
What Is 10w30?
The 10 indicates how the oil would flow in cold temperatures; it’d be thicker, and as such may not flow easily. Notwithstanding, 10w30 would provide better sealing action and protection to the engine components.
Basically, some cars come with 10w30 specifications by the manufacturer; this implies that the engine is structured to perform best with this oil regardless of the engine’s temperature.
What Is 5w30?
5w30 motor oils are oils that flow better in cold temperatures. This also implies that they have low viscosity in low temperatures.
They are also good for car engines and offer protection to the metallic moving parts of an auto engine.
Because this oil flows easily at cold temperatures, it quickly gets into all the areas that need lubrication in a vehicle. Thus, reducing friction and delivering other benefits based on the additive included in the oil.
Apparently, some auto manufacturers indicate 5w30 as the recommended motor oil for their vehicle models.
Note: Not using your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended engine oil would not cause any catastrophic damage, but can reduce the performance of your car engine, void the warranty coverage, and also the fuel economy.
Can I Use 10w30 Instead Of 5w30?
Basically, yes, you can use either of these oils instead of the other if you’re not so concerned about manufacturers’ recommendations.
However, it is advisable to switch from 5w30 to 10w30 if you drive a heavy-duty engine.
In contrast, you may want to switch from 10w30 to 5w30 if you need an oil that flows well in cold temperatures. For example, using 5w30 can be part of preparing your vehicle for the winter season (winterization).
What Is The Actual Difference Between 5w30 and 10w30?
The major difference between these two oils is their performance at cold temperatures. Definitely, 5w30 would flow well in cold temperatures because it has lighter viscosity.
On the other hand, 10w30 is likely to offer solid protection to seals and other components that need lubrication. Another thing that may differ between these two oils is the additives used in their formulation.
Motor oils are made with special additives to deliver specific benefits to auto engines.
Apparently, no two manufacturers use the same exact additives for oil protection, and no two different oils (even from the same brand) have the same additives.
So, it is safe to say that different motor oils deliver different benefits to engines.
How To Switch From 10w30 To 5w30 Or Vice Versa?
You really need to know how and when to switch from using one particular type of oil to another.
If you wish to use 10w30 instead of 5w30, then you need to remove the old 5w30 entirely before pouring the 10w30 you just bought.
But, even if you pour in the 10w30 without removing the old oil, nothing would damage the engine, but you’d notice a significant drop in performance as the oils try to mix and flow.
The protection offered by 10w30 is practically the same as that of 5w30. But because 5w30 has low viscosity, it would flow quickly into all corners and possibly offer better fuel efficiency.
What More?
You can use 10w30 in place of 5w30 – you just need to flush out the old oil before adding the new one. However, when buying motor oils, it is important to buy oils from reputable brands.
If possible, stick with your car manufacturer-recommended motor oil if you want your car to run at its best.
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