Should the Elantra use 5w30 or 5w20?
1 Answers
The dedicated engine oil recommended in the Elantra's manual is 5W-20 or 5W-30, so using 5W30 is acceptable. The reason engine oils are divided into different grades is that engine models and operating conditions vary, leading to different oil requirements. Meaning of W: W stands for WINTER. The number before W represents the pour point temperature, essentially the freezing point temperature. For example, 10W oil corresponds to a freezing point of -2°C, while other common grades like 0W is -35°C, 5W is -30°C, and 15W is -20°C. Choosing Engine Oil: Select the appropriate oil based on the engine type. For instance, naturally aspirated engines can use mineral oil, which fully meets their requirements. Turbocharged engines, however, should use semi-synthetic or fully synthetic oil to better protect the engine.