Can 0w40 engine oil be used in summer?
2 Answers
0w40 engine oil can be used in summer. 0w40 engine oil is designed for use in temperatures ranging from -35 degrees to +40 degrees Celsius. However, if the local temperature is too high, it is not recommended to use it. According to the SAE lubricant viscosity classification, the winter-grade engine oil designations can be: 0w, 5w, 10w, 15w, 20w, 25w. The symbol 'w' stands for winter, and the smaller the number before 'w', the lower the low-temperature viscosity, the better the low-temperature fluidity, and the lower the applicable minimum temperature. According to the SAE lubricant viscosity classification, the summer-grade engine oil designations can be: 20, 30, 40, 50. The larger the number, the higher the viscosity, and the higher the applicable maximum temperature.
I remember just changing to 0w40 oil last month, and it's been working perfectly fine in this hot weather. The number 40 after 0w40 represents its viscosity in high-temperature environments, meaning even when engine temperatures soar in summer, this viscosity can still form a thick oil film to protect components. Some friends think that 0w at the beginning is only for winter use, but actually, the 0 only indicates low-temperature fluidity and has nothing to do with high-temperature performance in summer. This type of oil is designed for all-season use. Unless you're driving year-round in extreme environments like Turpan with 50-degree heat, it can easily handle ordinary city summers with temperatures in the 30s. I used 0w40 last summer too, and during highway driving, the water temperature stayed stable, and power delivery was smooth. If the maintenance manual recommends this viscosity, you can use it with confidence.
