What is the difference between 5W30 and 0W30 engine oil?
2 Answers
5W30 and 0W30 are engine oil grades, where W stands for winter oil. 0W indicates the oil can flow at -35 degrees Celsius, while 5W indicates it can flow at -30 degrees Celsius. The specific differences between them are: 1. Generally, 0W30 is more expensive than 5W30. 2. 0W30 has a wider applicable temperature range than 5W30. 3. 0W30 is usually fully synthetic oil, whereas 5W30 can be either semi-synthetic or fully synthetic oil. 4. 0W oil makes starting the engine easier in extremely cold or low-temperature weather compared to 5W oil. In other words, 0W oil is easier to start in winter than 5W oil.
I drove in the north for 10 years, and the main difference between these two engine oils lies in their low-temperature fluidity. The 5w30 has a minimum applicable temperature of -30°C, while the 0w30 can handle down to -35°C. When temperatures drop below -20°C in winter, the 0w30 provides noticeably smoother starts, with no engine shaking. However, in high-temperature summer conditions, both have the same viscosity grade of 30, offering similar protection. I found that with 0w30, the engine sound during cold starts is softer, especially noticeable after leaving the car overnight in winter. That said, 0w30 is about 30% more expensive, and if you're driving in the south, it's completely unnecessary.
