A ‘synthetic blend’ is just a mix of conventional and synthetic, it gives some of the benefits of synthetic but with a cheaper price. If you live in a very hot climate, 5W-30 is fine. If you live up north, I’d run 5W-20, as the owner’s manual says. I always run full synthetic in my vehicles.
Q. Can I use 5W 30 instead of 5w20?
In general, you can use 5w30 motor oil instead of 5w20. The 5w30 motor oil is more viscous than the 5w20. If the oil is more viscous, it will provide more protection against friction because it is more resistant to heat and does not easily break down.
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Q. Can I use 5w30 instead of 5w20 in my Honda Civic?
You will notice that any temp that 5W20 can handle can also be handled be 5W30. And 5W30 can handle hotter temps than 5W20. Well, the shop should stand behind it’s work. If the mechanic made a mistake using the wrong viscosity oil they should replace it with the correct oil.
Q. What is the difference between 5W30 and 5w20?
When comparing 5w20 vs. 5w30 motor oil, the 20 indicates that the oil has a lower viscosity and is thinner at higher temperatures. So, due to viscosity, 5w20 is a thinner oil during operating temperatures, whereas 5w30 is thicker during operating temperatures.
Q. Can I use 10w40 instead of 5W30?
Your vehicle does not use 5W-30 oil. The recommended oil viscosity for your vehicle, according to Kia documentation, is 10W-40. If you drive the vehicle in exceptionally cold weather, well below 32 degrees, you can use 5W-30 oil but even 10W-40 is still perfectly OK to use if outdoor temperatures are below freezing.
Q. Can I switch from 5W30 to 0W20?
0W20 and 5W30 are very interchangeable in our cars. You can use any and your car will run fine and will not void any warranty for those of you under warranty. After your warranty is over, I am sure 5w30 maybe the better oil to use over 0w20.
Q. How much is a 0W20 oil change?
Pricing varies by store, but we called around and found oil changes for a car that requires 0W-20 cost $30 to $40 more than for one that takes conventional oil, or about twice the cost. For a typical owner, that adds $60-$100 in maintenance cost per year.
Q. What happens if you put 5W20 instead of 0w-20?
Both 5w-20 and 0w-20 are IDENTICAL once the car is up to temperature. The difference is how thin those oils are when the car is cold. Neither the 0w or the 5w flow enough in the cold to properly lubricate your engine. However, the 0W is thinner and does LESS damage at start up than the 5W oil.
