Can I Use 5W30 Instead of 5W20 Oil?

It's nice having a lot to choose from, but the excess of choices can make it a bit difficult to pick the right engine oil. And the difference between products lies not only in the brand but mostly in physical properties.

The most common engine oil types are 5W20 and 5W30. You can easily find them in most vehicles. Each one is meant for a specific engine build to show the best performance in cooling and lubricating the parts. So normally, the 5W20 and 5W30 engine oils should not go into the same engine because they will simply lose their functionality.

There are significant differences between these two types of engine oil. And those unique characteristics help them work wonders in the right engine system. But at the same time, pouring the wrong oil in can cause a significant drop in performance, prompt deterioration, and even cause serious damage.

Now, it sounds like an exaggeration because oils all look practically the same, and you would probably not be able to tell them apart without a label. But the difference is there and it's pretty tangible. That's why we decided to address this issue and explain the potential risks of mixing different oils or interchanging them in greater detail.

Difference Between 5W30 and 5W20 Oils

The difference between the 5W20 and 5W30 engine oils is mostly in their thickness at high temperatures. When the engine is at work, it heats up pretty fast, and the right oil is designed to behave in a certain way despite that temperature.

You can tell which oil has a higher viscosity by the number on its label. For example, 5W30 is thicker than 5W20. Basically, the bigger the number, the thicker the oil.

Far from being the only difference between them. So let's look at each type of engine oil one by one.

5W20 Engine Oil

The 5W20 oil is a little thinner and than its counterpart, but what does that tell us? This oil shows better performance at lower temperatures. This unique property makes 5W20 amazing for colder climates because it improves fuel efficiency and engine performance despite harsh conditions. However, it can be a bit too runny in hotter areas.

Another distinct quality of 5W20 engine oil is its ability to minimize friction. Thanks to its lower viscosity, it can flow easily through the system and lubricate all the parts.

This oil can surprise car owners who enjoy playing with performance because it allows your vehicle to start faster thanks to its lower viscosity.

However, it also has some downsides to it. It really does perform better at lower temperatures. So if the temperature varies a lot between the seasons, you might experience worse results during the summer months. The 5W20 oil also tends to break down faster because it’s less resistant to heat. And high temperatures are basically the main reason behind fluids going bad inside your car.

This engine oil is pretty versatile and is used in engines for trucks, SUVs and regular smaller and mid-sized cars. It's also pretty common in your model years was certain viscosity requirements.

5W30 Engine Oil

On the other hand, 5W30 oil is thicker, its viscosity is higher. This oil, in particular, performs best in warmer climates and is less effective when it's really cold. Since it is quite thick, it relies on the temperature to flow freely and perform its duties.

If your engine requires 5W30 oil and you live in an area with cold winters, you have probably noticed that drop in performance during the cold season. And this is because higher viscosity combined with cold affects engine performance and MPG in a negative way.

Its viscosity also makes it flow slower than 5W20 would. Its thickness causes more friction. But, despite that, 5W30 has a big advantage.

Thanks to its heat resistance, it takes longer to break down. So you will not need to replace it as often as 5W20. This unique property makes it simpler to maintain.

This oil works best for high-performance engines and provides great protection for heavy-duty vehicles. But don't rush to switch to this oil, because your engine has specific requirements for thickness.

But despite their differences, both 5W30 and 5W20 engine oils provide great coating and protection to the engine parts. Your choice should not depend as much on the climate where you live, but so we rely on the manufacturer's engine specifications.

Can I Use 5W30 and 5W20 Oils Interchangeably?

Simply put, you can use 5W30 instead of 5W20, but you shouldn't. Your engine is designed to work with an oil of a specific thickness. This oil is supposed to have an optimal viscosity to flow freely through the system, lubricate the parts and leave a protective coating. If you pick oil with the wrong thickness, it might not be that created performing these tasks.

So no, you will not total your car if you put a thicker 5W30 engine oil instead of 5W20. But that still doesn't mean you won't get any consequences for this. They just might not be as dramatic.

It may result in nuances like reduced fuel efficiency fuel and slower start. But no repairable damage will be done. So, if you have no other choice, then it's okay to swap them.

In fact, you can find suggestions in some manuals to switch to 5W30 engine oil for high-performance tasks. This oil performs better at higher temperatures, so it might actually make sense to adjust.

But most vehicle manuals list only one compatible option. And if this option is 5W20 engine oil, we don't recommend you use anything else instead. Some engines are not designed to take thicker oils at all. It might not have enough fluidity to travel back and forth. And so this will affect the engine performance in a bad way.

So, all in all, it's usually not a great idea to switch between 5W20 and 5W30 engine oils. Their viscosity can be beneficial in certain situations, but you should know your engine and its requirements very well to make that choice. Ideally, you should consult a professional before doing the swap.

This is an important step you should not skip. Because car manufacturers like Ford, for example, warn consumers about the problems. They say that using improper oil viscosity can and will shorten your engine's life expectancy, not just affect its performance.

Risks of Using 5W30 Instead of 5W20

We have been dancing around the topic of possible problems, but now let's actually talk business. If your engine is built specifically for thinner 5W20 oil, then using 5W30 oil instead can increase friction due to its higher viscosity. There will be more resistance than necessary, and it will impact performance.

And this is not a good thing for an engine. More resistance means higher risks of oil leaks, different deposits, and build-up inside the engine system. This means more regular maintenance and cleaning.

And oil filter change costs money. If you use regular oil, it will cost you less, of course, only $35-$75 for the service. But if your car uses synthetic oil, the price will be different, around $65-$125.

Another noticeable concern is excessive fuel consumption. Since the oil is thicker and it creates more resistance, the engine has to work a little harder to push through this. And naturally, it will be hungry for fuel.

Can Using 5W30 Over 5W20 Damage Your Engine?

Using the wrong engine oil will not directly destroy your engine. However, it can cause problems that can damage your engine in the long run. If you choose 5W30 engine oil over 5W20, you put thicker liquid inside the engine system.

More viscosity means more resistance and potentially more build-up on the filters. When the filters become clogged, it starts to be a big problem for your engine. And if left unattended, this can result in engine damage.

Another potential problem is overheating. If you remember physics well, the thicker medium is not as good at transferring heat. With 5W30 engine oil instead of 5W20, the heat will accumulate faster, so it can break down faster and create more junk.

Is 5W30 Better for High Mileage?

Yes, 5W30 can be better for high mileage, but there is a catch, as always. The best oil you can possibly put in your vehicle is the one specified in the manual. Check specifications first and don't trust everything people say on the internet. Which must be super ironic, considering where you are reading this article right now.

Engines are built for specific wealth thickness and sometimes they don't take changes very well. And even if the 5W30 is much better for high mileage, it might still be worse for your engine.

But this is not why we're here. What makes 5W30 engine oil better for high mileage? Well, thanks to its unique physical properties, it can protect the engine from wear by controlling the temperature and providing a special protective coating for the parts. But it only works when this oil is compatible.

For some vehicles, it is possible to switch to a thicker oil. But before you do that, we highly recommend consulting with a professional car mechanic to avoid any potential risks.

What Is a Good Substitute for 5W-20 Oil?

We know that using 5W30 instead of 5W20 it's usually a poor decision. But what do you do if you don't have 5W20? In that case, you can use its close equivalent, 0W-20.

The 0W-20 engine oil comes pretty close in its physical properties to 5W20. They both have the same weight and thickness which makes it a much better option than 5W30.

But be warned, 0W-20 is not a perfect substitute for 5W30. And the best course of action would be to get professional help. It's always best to ask a mechanic for some advice before making a major decision.

Is 5W20 Thicker Than 5W30?

No, 5W20 it's not thicker than 5W30 it's quite the opposite. If you want to know which engine oil is thicker you need to look at the numbers. The bigger the number, the higher the oil's viscosity.

Knowing the engine oil thickness is very important if you are the one who does the maintenance. If you put engine oil that is too thin, it won't do much harm but it will clog your filters faster and the engine performance won't be as good as it could be. Because oil is not so good for heart temperatures, it will deteriorate much faster, leaving all kinds of deposits and build-up. That's less than ideal.

And if you pour in a thicker oil, it will quickly become harder to push through its resistance. And you will experience a drop in the economy as well as some other unpleasant surprises.

Nothing too bad will happen to the engine, but the maintenance will sure keep you busy.

Oil Mixing and Choosing the Right Oil

So now we know that we should not use thicker and thinner oils interchangeably. But what if we mixed 5W20 and 5W30 engine oils? That depends on what oils you want to mix. If the only difference between them is thickness, then you might get away with it, mostly.

Mixing oils is not something most mechanics would recommend. When you buy a bottle of engine oil, all you see is a viscous oily liquid, but there are so many different additives and components inside of it. It's a sophisticated mixture, unlike your cooking oil. And all those interesting additives can potentially react if you mix incompatible oils.

But there is another rule you should never break. That rule is to never next conventional and synthetic oils together. Mixing these two types of oils can lead to unpredictable results. Sometimes, they can react and create sludge. Sometimes they can mix and lose their stability and lose all their good properties.

And even if you're mixing experiment succeeded and the mixture didn't turn into jelly, mixing incompatible oils significantly shortens their service life. Normally synthetic oils last longer than conventional ones, but if you mix them there's no way of telling when the world will go bad.