Should the Tiggo 3 use 5W30 or 5W40?

[OMaverick]

Tiggo 3 can choose 5W-30 fully synthetic engine oil. Conventional lubricants should be replaced every 5,000 kilometers or six months, while premium fully synthetic lubricants provide comprehensive engine protection under high-speed and harsh conditions. Both 5W-30 and 5W-40 oils are multi-grade oils, meaning they can be used in any season and provide engine protection. The "W" stands for winter. The lower the number before the W, the lower the viscosity, indicating better fluidity at low temperatures. The number after the W represents the viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius. A higher number indicates higher viscosity; for example, 5W-40 oil has higher viscosity than 5W-30, which indirectly indicates better high-temperature protection performance. When selecting engine oil, it is essential to consider the vehicle's usage conditions. Vehicles frequently driven in urban areas and those driven on rough roads require different oils. For vehicles frequently used for high-speed or long-distance driving, 5W-40 oil is recommended due to its excellent oil stability.

[AdelineLynn]

My Tiggo 3 has been in use for over three years. Initially, I followed the manual's recommendation and used 5W30 oil, which indeed ensured smooth cold starts and no issues even in winter temperatures below minus ten degrees Celsius. However, last summer during a long-distance trip, the engine noise became noticeably louder. After consulting a professional mechanic, I learned that the oil's high-temperature performance was insufficient, so I switched to 5W40. Since then, I've observed better high-temperature protection, especially during highway driving or heavy loads—engine noise has reduced, and there's no significant increase in fuel consumption. My suggestion is to use 5W30 for the first few years of a new car for fuel efficiency and environmental friendliness. However, if you frequently drive long distances or the car has exceeded 50,000 kilometers, switching to 5W40 is more reliable, as engine longevity is more crucial. Don’t just rely on the manual—adjust flexibly based on your actual driving conditions.

[OmarMarie]

As a car owner in the south, my Tiggo 3 has endured 40-degree Celsius heat tests. Initially using 5W30 oil, I clearly felt some power loss when climbing hills with AC on during summer. After switching to 5W40, the situation improved significantly. Technically speaking, 5W40 has higher high-temperature viscosity, maintaining more stable oil film in hot conditions and providing better engine protection. However, northern drivers don't need this - 5W30 offers much better low-temperature fluidity in winter. Also pay attention to oil grade, prioritizing API SN or SP grade full synthetic oils as base oil quality is more important than viscosity. For mainly city commuting, 5W30 is completely adequate; only consider 5W40 if frequently carrying heavy loads or driving on mountain roads.

[Hugo]

After repairing cars for ten years, I've seen too many cases of engine problems caused by improper oil usage. The factory setting for the Tiggo 3 is 5W30, and new car owners should not arbitrarily switch to 5W40. Modern engines have precise clearances, and higher viscosity oil can increase resistance, leading to higher fuel consumption and affecting acceleration. Only older cars with over 100,000 kilometers, where piston ring wear has increased clearances, require 5W40 to enhance sealing. When choosing oil, look at the number after the SAE standard—30 or 40 represents high-temperature viscosity. It's recommended to use high-quality full synthetic oils like Shell Helix or Mobil 1 to ensure an 8,000-kilometer oil change interval. Don't use inferior oil to save a small amount of money, as an engine overhaul will cost much more.

[AnastasiaRose]

Last month, I just had my wife's Tiggo 3 serviced and struggled with the same issue. After checking the maintenance manual, Chery officially recommends 5W30, and in actual use, I found this viscosity to be the most suitable for the 1.6L engine. Two important reminders: first, don't be fooled by the repair shop into using higher viscosity oil—new cars simply don't need it; second, pay attention to the climate—I use 0W30 in Harbin for faster winter starts. Of course, if you frequently drive at high RPMs or the vehicle has already traveled over 80,000 kilometers, switching to 5W40 can indeed reduce wear. Additionally, turbocharged models face higher temperatures and pressures, but for the naturally aspirated Tiggo 3, 5W30 is sufficient.

[Gretchen]

Veteran Driver's Advice: My Tiggo 3 has run 120,000 km. In the first six years using 5W30, the fuel consumption was indeed low, averaging 7.2 L/100km. Later, the engine started burning oil slightly, and switching to 5W40 alleviated the issue, though fuel consumption rose to 7.6 L/100km. The key is to consider the vehicle's condition: new or low-mileage cars can save fuel and be more eco-friendly with 5W30; high-mileage vehicles benefit from 5W40's improved sealing, albeit with a slight increase in fuel consumption. Additionally, driving habits matter—those who frequently accelerate aggressively should opt for 5W40 for better shear resistance. Lastly, regardless of viscosity, ensuring genuine engine oil is crucial, as counterfeit oil can destroy an engine in no time.