Can 20w50 engine oil be used in winter?
2 Answers
20w50 engine oil cannot be used in winter. 20W50 is a summer engine oil. If it is used in winter, it will cause severe wear to the engine, especially during cold starts, as the oil viscosity is too high to circulate properly. When the temperature is too low, it may also cause difficulty in starting or even prevent the engine from starting. Additional information: 1. Letter representation explanation: W stands for WINTER. The number before W represents the pour point temperature, simply put, the freezing point temperature. 15W engine oil corresponds to a freezing point temperature of -20℃, while 20W engine oil corresponds to -15℃. Both types of engine oil are suitable for summer use. The number after W represents the kinematic viscosity of the oil at 100℃. The higher the number, the higher the viscosity. 2. Grade explanation: The number after the oil grade indicates its viscosity specification. The smaller the number before "W," the better the low-temperature fluidity of the oil, indicating it can be used in lower environmental temperatures and provides better protection for the engine during cold starts. For example, 5W can withstand external temperatures as low as -30°C, while 20W can only withstand -15°C. The number after W represents the kinematic viscosity of the oil at 100℃. The higher the number, the higher the viscosity.
I've been driving for over a decade, and using 20W50 oil in winter is a bit risky. This type of oil has high viscosity and becomes particularly poor in fluidity under low temperatures. Imagine, when it's below minus ten degrees Celsius, it's as thick as syrup. At engine startup, the oil pump struggles to draw the oil, making cold starts particularly difficult—you can literally hear the engine straining. Long-term use like this will definitely increase engine wear and drive up fuel consumption. It's fine for summer use, but in winter, it's better to switch to a lower viscosity oil, like 0W40 or 5W30, which typically have better low-temperature fluidity as recommended in the manual. If you're still keen on trying it, check the local temperature first—it's best not to risk it if it's below minus 10 degrees Celsius.
