Can 30 and 40 engine oils be mixed?
1 Answers
30 and 40 engine oils cannot be mixed, as they are formulated for different brands of lubricants. Due to variations in additive compositions and raw materials, mixing them may disrupt the original balanced formula of the oil, thereby reducing the quality of the finished oil product. If you mix 5w40 and 5w30 oils from the same brand, the result may be insufficient engine protection, directly affecting driving power, increasing engine friction resistance, causing insufficient engine power, and even impacting the engine's lifespan. Engine oil is a substance enhanced with additives in base oil, primarily containing anti-wear additives, detergents, dispersants, and multi-grade viscosity index improvers. Engine oil is used for lubricating internal combustion engines, with its main functions being to reduce friction and wear of moving parts and to remove sludge (one function of dispersants) and varnish (from detergents) in the engine. Below are the types of engine oil: Mineral oil: Derived from crude oil, mineral oils are generally low-cost. However, because the mineral oil base oxidizes more easily, they are typically fortified with various imported additives and have a service life of about six months. Semi-synthetic oil: Although more expensive to produce, semi-synthetic oils offer excellent oxidation resistance, making them a very good long-life oil with a service life of about twelve months. Considering the balance between price and quality, semi-synthetic oils have the widest range of applications. Full synthetic oil: Chemically synthesized, full synthetic oils can maintain lubrication even when the base oil fails. When selecting engine oil, consider the following: Choose oil based on the engine's requirements. It is unnecessary to use overly advanced oil in engines with lower requirements, nor should lower-grade oil be used in engines with higher demands. Preferably choose multi-grade oils. Multi-grade oils, being economical, long-lasting, and efficient, provide better protection for the engine. Due to their characteristics, they may appear darker prematurely and exhibit lower oil pressure compared to conventional oils, both of which are normal.
