I was driving my dads car today, when the check oil engine light came on, turns out it was VERY low on oil. I could not get in contact with my dad, but the car did have a Manuel, the Manuel said to use 5w-40, but I put in 10w-40 due to the fact I wasnt able to get anything else. I don't know if that is the regular oil used on the car, so what are the possible downfalls of using a different grade of oil than what is already in your car?
2006-10-30 13:19:28 · 17 answers · asked by D 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
A little bit of 10-40 in the engine will do no harm. You will end up with an effective blend of about 6 or 7-40, and the engine will be far better protected than it would with all 5-30 and a litre down. Engines low on oil run a little hotter, and the oil starts to break down faster. Don't worry about those who say go get it changed right away, leave it until the regular oil change.
2006-10-30 13:40:46 · answer #1 · answered by Fred C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A thinner oil is recommended by manufacturers because of close tolerances. A heavier oil does not flow well in cold weather, but the grades you used were not that far off. Incidentally you may want to double check the manual, most newer cars use 5/30 oil.
If it calls for 5/40, you can use 10/30. 10/30 is always a safe bet.
You DO NOT want to mix petroleum oil with synthetic.
2006-10-30 13:53:33 · answer #2 · answered by team48 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok here's how oil works. 10w-40 starts out as 10 weight for easier starting. It breaks up to 40 weight once warm. What I don't understand is why you are using a 40 weight oil at all. most all cars use a 30 weight oil. 5w-30 is good in the winter...as it helps the car turn over easier...but when it warms...it turns into 30 weight. I know that's kind of confusing but that's how it works.
I run 10w-30 year round...castrol...and have no problems...live in kansas...it does get cold here...but where you live it may get colder...or may not get cold at all. 40 weight oil tends to clog the piston rings worse than 30 weight...don't know why this is but it does.
Any how...you did good...run it and tell dad to check his oil now and then.
2006-10-30 13:33:48 · answer #3 · answered by Kenneth S 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
the 10w 40 is the thickness or weight of the oil and depending on what kind of weather you are in is what thickness you want. If you are in heat all the time you want to use thick oil if it is cold you would want 10w 30. If it is hot outside all the time, the oil, once heated up in the engine will thin out and thin oil will not do a good job of keeping the parts in the motor lubricated and will do damage in the long run of the life of the motor. you will be alright with 10w 40 dont worry about it.
2006-10-30 13:30:09 · answer #4 · answered by machine_demon_hunter 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The difference between the 2 is the viscosity of the rate at which it flows. There should be no downfalls to using it. What you will wind up with is something like a 7w-40 oil. Don't make a habit of running 2 grades of oil though.
2006-10-30 13:23:43 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
hi d,
there is not any problem with using 10w-40 instead of 5w-40.
the difference will only be in thickness of oil at a very low temperature and it will only effect if the temperature goes below -10 degree c. even then there is no problem in driving . it will only effect in initial start up.
i how you have found your ans
2006-10-30 16:57:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont think it would hurt it,it couldn't be any worse than being super low right.I had 10w30 in my suburban and i put 5w30 in it because it was a half a quart below the add mark and nothing happend. But i never heard of a 5w40 oil just 10w40.
2006-10-30 13:23:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's better to have a different weight of oil than none at all! You did the right thing, just get it changed when you find out what type he really uses!!
2006-10-30 13:22:15 · answer #8 · answered by ♥ Tracy ♥ 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Call your dad and tell him.
Cars don't like differences in oil, except they like frequent baths and oil changes.
Because if your car gets stuck, it's your dad who will come and help you!
2006-10-30 13:27:46 · answer #9 · answered by May I help You? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
type does not count number so long because it has the API Seal, which all motor oils do. Ford it contained in the organisation of refining oil, the in basic terms pay a refinery to placed their oil in a Ford bottle. Use the motorized vehicle manufactures cautioned oil viscosity. vehicle manufactures spend tens of millions progression and engineering, the did not in basic terms take a wager. If used for best off he 10-40 received't damage your motorized vehicle.
2016-12-05 09:29:36 · answer #10 · answered by harbert 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋