What are the differences between 5w30 and 10w40?
3 Answers
The differences between 5w30 and 10w40 lie in viscosity, minimum temperature tolerance, performance, and vehicle applicability as follows: Different viscosity: 10W40 engine oil has higher viscosity, while 5W30 has relatively lower viscosity. Different minimum temperature tolerance: 5W30 oil can adapt to lower temperatures than 10W40. The "W" stands for winter, and the number before it indicates the lower environmental temperature it can withstand. The smaller this number, the better the engine protection during cold starts. Different vehicle applicability: Higher viscosity oils (with larger numbers) may be more suitable for high-speed driving or heavy-load vehicles. For older vehicles, using 10W-40 oil may result in slightly louder engine noise compared to 5W-30. Different performance: Compared to 10w40, 5w30 performs better during cold starts due to its lower viscosity, resulting in quieter operation. The viscosity of engine oil changes with temperature, so special attention should be paid to its performance under both low and high temperatures. For 5W-30, the first number indicates low-temperature fluidity - 5W means it can withstand -30°C (the smaller this number, the better the low-temperature fluidity: 0W is -35℃; 5W is -30℃; 10W is -25℃; 15W is -20℃; 20W is -15℃; 25W is -10℃). Better low-temperature fluidity means smoother cold starts and better engine protection. The second number represents the oil's kinematic viscosity at 100°C - higher numbers indicate better ability to maintain viscosity at high temperatures, which can be understood as better lubrication performance under high-temperature conditions. Engine oil viscosity should not be too high or too low. If the viscosity is too low, it will increase engine wear. If the viscosity is too high, it will increase engine resistance during operation, leading to reduced power and increased fuel consumption. When the engine is running, the oil forms a film on the surface of various components, reducing friction between them and lowering operating resistance. If the oil viscosity is too low, it cannot form a stable oil film, which will accelerate engine wear. For full synthetic oil, the recommended replacement interval is one year or 10,000 kilometers. For semi-synthetic oil, the replacement interval is slightly shorter, requiring replacement every 7,000 kilometers or six months. When choosing engine oil, there are the following considerations:
Last time I talked about engine oil, I found that the key difference between 5w30 and 10w40 lies in the W number which indicates low-temperature fluidity: 5w30 has much better low-temperature fluidity, making the engine easier to start in winter as the oil is thinner; whereas 10w40 has poorer low-temperature fluidity but higher viscosity at high temperatures, providing more reliable engine protection during long summer drives and reducing wear. I think they suit different climates and car models—for example, I mostly use 5w30 in my new car for better fuel efficiency, while my old Mercedes gets 10w40 for heat resistance. Don’t overlook checking the oil label—choosing the wrong one can damage the engine, affect fuel consumption and emissions, so always refer to the owner’s manual and don’t make random choices.
I usually enjoy studying car fuel consumption. The difference between 5w30 and 10w40 lies in their high-temperature viscosity: the number 40 in 10w40 indicates a thicker consistency at high temperatures, which helps cushion friction between engine components during aggressive driving. 5w30 is thinner at high temperatures, providing smoother acceleration and better fuel efficiency. I believe choosing 5w30 for new cars is more environmentally friendly, while older cars, especially high-mileage engines, should use 10w40 to extend their lifespan. Every time I go to the gas station, I pay attention to the label details to avoid issues, especially checking the oil level after driving on the highway in hot weather, so I don't end up with hefty engine repair bills.
