What is the difference between 0W20 and 5W30?
1 Answers
The differences between 5W30 and 0W20 engine oils are mainly reflected in their viscosity, applicable environmental temperatures, and flowability at 100 degrees Celsius. 5W30 oil has higher viscosity, while 0W20 oil has lower viscosity. The minimum temperature for 0W20 oil is lower than that of 5W30 oil. 5W30 oil is suitable for environmental temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius; 0W20 oil is suitable for environmental temperatures as low as -35 degrees Celsius. The kinematic viscosity of 0W20 oil at 100 degrees Celsius ranges between 5.6 and 9.3 mm2/s; the kinematic viscosity of 5W30 oil at 100 degrees Celsius ranges between 9.3 and 11.8 mm2/s. 5W30 and 0W20 are SAE grades for engine oils, indicating their viscosity values. The 'W' stands for 'winter,' and the number preceding it represents the lower environmental temperature the oil can be used in, indicating better engine protection during cold starts. The viscosity of engine oil changes with temperature, so special attention is needed to its performance under both low and high temperatures. For 5W-30, the first number indicates low-temperature flowability. 5W means it can withstand temperatures as low as -30°C. The smaller this number, the better the low-temperature flowability. 0W corresponds to -35°C; 5W to -30°C; 10W to -25°C; 15W to -20°C; 20W to -15°C; and 25W to -10°C. This ensures smoother cold starts for vehicles. The number following the 'W' represents the oil's kinematic viscosity at 100°C. A higher number means the oil can maintain its viscosity index better at high temperatures, which can also be understood as better lubrication performance under high-temperature conditions. Relatively, better low-temperature flowability means smoother cold starts and better engine protection. Using oil with higher viscosity will increase the vehicle's fuel consumption. This is because higher viscosity increases the resistance during the operation of various engine components, naturally leading to higher fuel consumption. For fully 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 selecting engine oil, the following considerations should be noted: Choose engine 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 requirements. Multi-grade oils should be preferred. Multi-grade oils are economical, have a long service life, and are efficient, providing better protection for the engine. Due to the characteristics of multi-grade oils, they may appear darker and have lower oil pressure compared to conventional oils during use, which is normal. Since engine oil significantly affects the performance and lifespan of the engine, it is essential to strictly follow the vehicle's user manual to select oil of the same series, service grade, and viscosity grade. The engine oil recommended in the vehicle's manual is determined based on the engine's performance and the regional temperature where the vehicle is sold. It provides certain guidance for oil selection and includes a considerable safety margin.
