2007-06-21 11:55:43 · 6 answers · asked by imkristi2 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
technically speaking, no one is right so far.
both the 5w20 and the 5w30 have a base oil that is a 5w vicocity oil. Viscosity is a measure of the ability to flow compared to water which has a viscosity of 0w. The base oil is thin when cold and flows a little slower than water of the same temperature.
All multi-viscosity oils have additives to change their charactoristics. Some of those additives are temperature sensitive additives that make the oil thicker with heat. A 5w20 oil behaves as a straight, conventional 20w oil when warm; so the 5w20 means it has the viscosity of a 5w oil cold and that of a 20w when warm. The 5w30 has additives that make it a bit more resistant to flow when warm than a 5w20 oil.
the resistance to flow means that the oil film will be thinner with a lower weight oil and thicker with a higher weight oil. With that thicker oil comes a higher coefficient of friction which means it has more resistance to something such as a piston sliding against it. The higher the resistance to sliding, the more energy is used overcoming the resistance so the end result is that use of higher weight oils will result in lower fuel economy.
Most imports today call for 5w20 oil. Because of the high quality of today's motor oils, there really isn't a need to use the higher weight multi-viscosity oils.
hope that answers your question
2007-06-21 12:43:34 · answer #1 · answered by honda guy 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
5w20 is slighty a thinner oil and increases gas mileage a little bit-thats why a lot of auto makers are switching over to 5w20. it is required in all newer fords, hondas, chrysler procucts and some toyotas. they say that if you use a different oil it will void the warranty. it really doesn't make a huge difference between the two but you should do what the o.e. manufacturer says for the sake of your new car warranty.
2007-06-21 12:09:30 · answer #2 · answered by greezemonkey 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
5W30 oil has a higher viscosity at higher temperatures than 5W20
2007-06-22 02:04:58 · answer #3 · answered by diamonddawg42 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
not enough to worry about the 30 will be ever so slightly thicker than the 20
2007-06-21 11:59:16 · answer #4 · answered by bungee 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The thickness, thick oils are recommended for older vehicle's, or vehicle's that have high mileage.
2007-06-21 12:06:15 · answer #5 · answered by Queene-77 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Greater viscosity....hence greater lubrication ability
2007-06-21 12:06:57 · answer #6 · answered by Bob W 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋