What is the difference between 15w40 and 5w40 engine oil?

1 Answers
Laura
07/29/25 2:19pm
The difference between 5W-40 and 15W-40 engine oils lies in their low-temperature fluidity. 5W-40: The 5W can withstand external low temperatures down to -30°C. 15W-40: The 15W can withstand external low temperatures down to -20°C. Additional information: 1. Engine oil: Engine oil, also known as motor oil, is a lubricant used for the moving components in the engine crankcase. Engine oil also serves to cool and clean the engine. Engine oil consists of base oil and additives. The base oil is primarily refined mineral oil, synthetic oil, or a blend of refined mineral oil and synthetic oil. Additives include antioxidants, viscosity index improvers, pour point depressants, anti-corrosion and anti-rust agents, detergents and dispersants, friction modifiers, and anti-wear agents. 2. The meaning of "W": The "W" stands for winter, and the smaller the number before it, the better the oil's low-temperature fluidity, indicating a lower usable environmental temperature and better protection for the engine during cold starts. The number after the "W" (after the dash) is an indicator of the oil's high-temperature resistance, with higher values indicating better protection at high temperatures.
Was this review help?
14
3
Share
More Forum Discussions

Should You Release the Clutch or the Brake First When Starting?

When starting a manual transmission car, you should partially release the clutch before releasing the brake. Here are the correct methods for starting: 1. Foot brake start: With the foot brake pressed, depress the clutch, shift into first gear, and release the clutch to the semi-engaged position. When the body slightly vibrates and the front of the car lifts, release the foot brake, and the car will begin to move forward slowly. 2. Handbrake start: When using the handbrake to start, there is no need to press the foot brake. This method is used when parked on a slope to stabilize the car with the handbrake. The specific steps are: hold the steering wheel firmly with the left hand, depress the clutch, shift into first gear, place the right hand on the handbrake, release the clutch to the semi-engaged point, and immediately release the handbrake, allowing the car to move forward smoothly.
5
4
Share

What are the symptoms of a damaged car shock absorber top mount?

Symptoms of a damaged car shock absorber top mount: 1. Increased tire noise. In severe cases, you can hear a roaring sound from the tires. 2. Reduced comfort. When going over speed bumps or rough roads, you may hear a "bang" sound accompanied by a harsh impact that directly transmits to the body, making it very uncomfortable. 3. Vehicle pulls to one side during straight-line driving. Even when the steering wheel is held at the same angle, the vehicle cannot maintain a straight line and tends to drift automatically. 4. Squeaking sound when turning the steering wheel while stationary. This is caused by the loss of elasticity in the aged top mount, resulting in noise when compressed.
18
3
Share

How many liters of engine oil does the BMW X1 require?

The BMW X1 requires approximately 5L of engine oil for an oil change. The recommended oil type for the BMW X1 is 5W-30. If you wish to change the oil during later maintenance, you can choose brands such as Shell, Mobil, or Castrol. The official manual recommends oil specifications like 0W30, 5W30, 5W-40, or 0W20. The viscosity of engine oil changes with temperature, so it is crucial to pay attention to its performance under both low and high temperatures. For example, in 5W-30, the first number indicates low-temperature fluidity. 5W means it can withstand temperatures as low as -30°C. The smaller this number, the better the low-temperature fluidity, resulting in smoother cold starts for the car. The second number represents the kinematic viscosity of the oil 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. The method for changing the engine oil in a BMW X1 is as follows: Wait for the engine temperature to cool down, allowing the oil to flow back into the oil pan. Use a wrench to loosen the oil drain plug and place an oil pan underneath to catch the old oil until no more oil flows out. Start the engine and let it run for 30 seconds to allow the oil in the main oil passage to drain out. Use a specialized wrench to remove the oil filter. Apply some new oil to the oil seal of the new oil filter and tighten it clockwise by hand. Add the new engine oil through the oil filler cap on the engine valve cover. Generally, fill about three-quarters of a standard oil container. Start the engine and let it run for 5 minutes, checking for any leaks around the oil drain plug and oil filter. If leaks are found, perform necessary repairs. After stopping the engine, remove the oil dipstick and check that the engine oil level is within the standard range.
1
0
Share

How to Determine if the Shock Absorber is Faulty?

The shock absorber's function is to suppress the vibration and deformation absorbed by the spring, as well as the oscillation during the spring's rebound, and to absorb the impact force from the road surface. There are four methods to determine if the shock absorber is damaged: 1. Perform an emergency brake on a safe road at a relatively reduced speed and observe if the car's braking posture differs significantly from previous experiences. Excessive vibration indicates a problem with the shock absorber. 2. Oil leakage. Check if there is fresh oil on the shock absorber. If present, the shock absorber is severely leaking and needs immediate replacement. If there is no fresh oil but only some oil stains, the issue is not yet severe. 3. With the car stationary, press down on one corner of the car body and release it. The body will rebound due to the spring force. If it stabilizes quickly after rebounding, the shock absorber is functioning normally. If it oscillates several times before stopping, the shock absorber's damping effect is poor. 4. Abnormal noises. These usually occur when driving on unpaved or rough roads. Since many parts of the chassis can produce sounds, ensure the noise is from the shock absorber before replacing it.
1
3
Share

What is the 0-100 km/h acceleration time of the Envision?

According to official data, the Envision comes with two engine options. The 1.5T model accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.3 seconds, while the 2.0T model achieves it in 8.2 seconds. Factors affecting a vehicle's 0-100 km/h acceleration time include: Torque: In simple terms, torque represents the strength of the engine. Higher torque means greater force to propel the vehicle, resulting in faster acceleration. The Equinox 1.5T has a maximum torque of 250 Nm and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.2 seconds. The Envision has a maximum torque of 350 Nm and achieves the same in 10.3 seconds. Transmission efficiency: The transmission acts as the medium for power transfer, inevitably involving power loss. Higher transmission efficiency leads to better acceleration performance. Generally, transmission efficiency ranks as follows: manual transmission > dry dual-clutch transmission > wet dual-clutch transmission > AT transmission > CVT transmission. The Envision is equipped with a 9-speed automatic transmission (AT). Power-to-weight ratio: The relationship between horsepower and vehicle weight is known as the power-to-weight ratio (measured in Hp/T). A higher power-to-weight ratio results in faster acceleration. The Equinox 1.5T has a power-to-weight ratio of 110.09 Hp/T and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.2 seconds. The Envision 1.5T has a power-to-weight ratio of 105 Hp/T and achieves the same in 10.3 seconds.
2
4
Share

Is it okay to keep the air conditioning on without starting the car?

It is possible to turn on the air conditioning without starting the car, but it can cause damage to the vehicle. Below are the potential consequences and reasons: 1. If the air conditioning is left on for an extended period without starting the car, the car battery will be drained. In mild cases, the car may fail to start, while in severe cases, the battery may remain in a chronically undercharged state. This is because, without the engine running, the air conditioning compressor does not work, and the blower fan (which circulates natural air) is powered by the battery. (This applies only to traditional fuel-powered vehicles; electric vehicles do not experience this issue.) 2. Failing to turn off the air conditioning after shutting off the engine can easily damage the engine. The impact on the car is significant because modern vehicles have interlock mechanisms that automatically cut off most auxiliary circuits when the engine is off, including the air conditioning. As a result, when the car is started again, the sudden load from the air conditioning can place excessive strain on the engine. 3. It is not recommended to keep the air conditioning on for long periods while the car is idle. Running the air conditioning for too long while the engine is idling can lead to carbon buildup in the engine and damage the vehicle.
18
3
Share
Cookie
Cookie Settings
© 2025 Servanan International Pte. Ltd.