Will switching from Volkswagen 5w30 to 0w40 have any impact?
3 Answers
Switching from Volkswagen 5W30 to 0W40 will affect fuel consumption. After all, the high-temperature viscosity increases, and the greater the viscosity, the greater the resistance the engine will experience, thus consuming more fuel and oil. Low-temperature fluidity of engine oil: The W stands for Winter, and the number before the W refers to the low-temperature fluidity of the engine oil and the minimum temperature it can withstand. The smaller the number, the better the low-temperature fluidity of the engine oil, and the lower the minimum applicable temperature. High-temperature viscosity of engine oil: The number after the W indicates the high-temperature viscosity of the engine oil. The larger the number, the greater the viscosity, and the better the high-temperature protection performance, but the corresponding fuel consumption will also increase.
I enjoy doing my own car maintenance, and changing engine oil depends on the specific situation. The main differences between 5w30 and 0w40 lie in low-temperature fluidity and high-temperature viscosity. 0w40 flows more easily during winter startups, providing better engine protection during cold starts, especially suitable for cold northern regions. At high temperatures, 40 has higher viscosity than 30, forming a thicker oil film that better protects engine components, making it more suitable for older cars or those frequently driven at high speeds. However, increased viscosity may lead to a slight rise in fuel consumption, approximately 0.2 liters more per 100 kilometers. It's also important to check the vehicle manual—Volkswagen turbocharged engines typically perform better with 40 viscosity, but newer models might require thinner oil. Overall, if the car is over 5 years old or often driven in high-temperature conditions, switching to 0w40 is actually more appropriate.
As a long-distance driver, I believe oil changes should be based on actual driving conditions. After switching from 5w30 to 0w40, the most noticeable difference during summer highway driving was reduced engine noise, especially smoother acceleration under hard throttle. This is because the 40's high-temperature viscosity better withstands high engine loads, preventing oil film breakdown. The trade-off is slightly increased fuel consumption during city commuting, particularly noticeable as heavier throttle response in traffic jams. For turbocharged engines like VW's EA888, switching to 40 viscosity is actually quite appropriate, since the manufacturer often recommends 5w40. However, two points deserve attention: first, 0w base oil is more expensive, increasing maintenance costs; second, for vehicles under three years old, suddenly switching to higher viscosity might affect variable valve timing system responsiveness.
