Should a 10-Year-Old Car Use 30 or 40 Oil?
2 Answers
For a 10-year-old car, it is recommended to use 40 oil. Due to the significant wear on components such as the valve train and crankshaft connecting rod mechanism in older engines, opting for higher viscosity 40 oil helps form a thicker oil film on the parts. This reduces further wear and noise caused by increased gaps between components. Below are factors to consider when selecting oil viscosity: 1. Vehicle Type: Japanese/Korean and American cars typically use 30 viscosity oil (e.g., 0W-30/5W-30); German cars are recommended to use 40 viscosity oil (e.g., 0W-40/5W-40). 2. Load Conditions: High-load, low-speed vehicles generally require higher viscosity lubricants, while light-load, high-speed vehicles benefit from lower viscosity lubricants. 3. Engine Wear: For cars with over 100,000 km mileage, adjusting oil viscosity is necessary due to increased component gaps from wear, requiring higher viscosity oil for better protective film formation. 4. Local Temperature: In northern winters, oils with better low-temperature fluidity, such as 0W/5W, ensure smooth cold starts.
I've got an old car myself, and after ten years, it's like a family member – you learn what keeps it going strong. For oil choices, I switched from 30 to 40 weight years ago on my ride. Why? Engines get loose with age; thicker oil like 10W-40 fills those gaps better than 30, preventing leaks and burning oil. In my experience, when I ran 5W-30, I had to top off the oil every few weeks because it seeped out faster, making it noisy and less efficient. Now with 10W-40, the engine hums smoother, especially in colder mornings where the thicker consistency doesn't thin out too much. It's a small change, but it saves money on potential repairs and boosts longevity. Just make sure to check your oil level monthly – it's a habit I formed early on, and it catches issues before they escalate. Also, stick to a regular oil change schedule every 5,000 miles; skipping it can wear out even faster. Overall, 40 is the smarter pick for peace of mind.