Your car engine deserves the best. That is why you should pour good oil into it. But what happens if you mix different oils? Can you mix 5w30 and 5w20 and still stay safe on the road? We offer a detailed explanation here.
Can you mix 5w30 and 5w20?
Yes, you can mix 5w30 and 5w20 without any fear of damaging your car engine. Both oils have the same viscosity and that is why they can be mixed together. They have different viscosity index ratings, but this is not a problem.
You can mix the two oils as long as you drive your vehicle in optimal conditions. This means that you should not mix the oils if the weather is too hot or too cold. If it is below 32°F, you should use only 5w20 oil because it is thinner. This oil will go through the engine more effectively when the weather is cold.
On the other hand, if you drive your vehicle in hot conditions, you can use 5w30. This oil is thicker and it will be ideal when the weather is hot. In temperatures over 120F, the 5w30 oil will behave in the most adequate manner.
However, when the temperatures are normal and optimal, you can mix the oils and get good results. Even if the viscosity index rating is not the same, this won’t harm your engine. [1]
Pour some oil into your engine and see how the vehicle behaves. If you do not notice any problems, the oil mixture is safe.
If you notice that your car is struggling to achieve the optimal speed or the brakes do not function well, be cautious. You must not mix the oils in this situation.
Most of the cars have the specified and recommended oil for the exact engine type. You can see these oil recommendations in the car manual. If you notice that only one oil can be poured, stick to it and try not to mix other oils.
This will save your car and it will prolong the life of the engine.
What is the difference between 5w30 and 5w20?
The main difference between 5w30 and 5w20 is the fluidity. In general, 5w20 is more fluid and it is recommended for lower temperatures.
At the same time, we have 5w30 which is thicker and it is good for higher temperatures.
To understand better these two oils, we need to see what the numbers and letters actually mean. If we understand the purpose of the oils, we can better manage their usage.
In general, the letter “w” simply means winter. The number before the letter w suggests the way that the oil behaves at lower temperatures. The properties of the oil change in lower temperatures. That is why some oils become thicker or more fluid.
In addition, we have the numbers 20 or 30. These numbers suggest how oil reacts to high temperatures. It is also important what the maximum operating temperature in the car engine is.
According to all these facts, we can create a picture of the oil that has certain properties and functions.
Each oil has some advantages, and these are very well presented in practical matters. For example, 5w20 oil is more fuel-efficient. This oil is also more fluid at lower temperatures. [2]
In general, 5w20 will make your engine more active in cold weather. The start of the engine will be easier. At the same time, the efficiency will be better.
When it comes to 5w30 oil, we can notice some differences. This oil is thicker and it remains the same when it comes to viscosity. It is more suited for hotter temperatures. It is less fuel-efficient and it has constant properties.
Is it safe to mix 5w20 and 5w30?
It is safe to mix 5w20 and 5w30 as long as you follow some recommendations. It is best to use the same manufacturer and stay consistent with it.
Different oil producers have different standards, and it is noticeable in the oil quality. Drivers can get used to one car oil manufacturer because of certain properties. The oils can be thick or fluid, and less or more fuel efficient.
It is important to use the oils that are made for your car engine. This means using the exact oil or the most similar oil. In this case, you can mix 5w20 and 5w30 and you can be safe on the road.
In some situations, you can be forced to mix the oils. If you run out of the exact oil that you usually use, you can always reach for another one.
This will not create problems with a car engine, but you can still notice some differences in engine performance. It may be slower to start or it may behave differently in hot or cold weather conditions.
No matter the circumstances, you can mix these oils as long as you use the same oil brand.
What happens if I accidentally used 5w30 instead of 5w20?
If you accidentally used 5w30 instead of 5w20, you should not worry. These two oils will blend and these will create a mixture that will be good enough for your engine.
If you usually use 5w20, your engine used to operate with this oil. Due to thinner properties, 5w30 will flow better if you live in warmer areas.
For example, if you drive your car in Florida, you will need to use oils like 5w30. These oils will lubricate the engine parts in the right manner. Also, the oil will flow better.
However, if you move to colder areas in the north, you may need to use 5w20. This oil is more suited to colder weather conditions. [3]
The use of oils is different. It depends on where you live and where you drive your car.
If you use 5w30 instead of 5w20, you will not make a huge mistake. Both oils are good, and these will flow well inside the engine if you drive in moderate climate conditions.
Now when you know what happens if you mix 5w20 and 5w30, you should know some other facts.
There is a difference between synthetic and conventional oils.
Producers put more additives in synthetic oils, and this could be very challenging for your engine. If you mix synthetic and conventional oils, you can notice some differences in your engine performance.
It is good to stick to one type of oil because the engine should be used to one oil type. At the same time, if you mix 5w20 and 5w30, you should stick to a certain brand.
In this manner, you will prolong your engine life. This will create a good environment for the good functioning of the car.
5w30 or 5w20 for high mileage
Each car owner wants to have an engine performance that is adequate and well-maintained. In order to have this kind of performance, a few things are important.
High mileage is what is important when it comes to engine performance. Cars need to reach high mileage in certain conditions.
If you wonder what kind of oil is best for high mileage, there are a few solutions.
Most drivers will find that thicker oils are better for high mileage. This means that 5w30 oils are better for the times when you want to reach high mileage.
Thicker oils will create more oil pressure and this will result in better performance. When the oil is not thick, there might be leakage problems. The oil will be thin and the engine parts will not be lubricated.
That is why thicker oils are a better solution for high-mileage engines.
It is also good to use synthetic oil if you want to lubricate high-mileage engines. Some drivers think this is not a good idea, but they are wrong. They believe synthetic oil has a lower viscosity which is not good for high mileage.
However, the truth is that synthetic oil is better if you have slow oil leaks. At the same time, it is better because it contains natural gas. This means that it burns cleaner and provides better lubrication.
It also protects the engine better in high mileage situations.
For all these reasons, it is good to use thicker oils and synthetic oils. High mileage is more reachable when you use these kinds of oils in your engine.
Read Also: Best Cold Air Intake For Camaro SS
Conclusion
As you can see, you can mix different kinds of oils without any worries. However, this should not become a constant habit.
Your engine requires only one type of oil, and you must stick to the recommendations.
If you are in need to use a different kind of oil, let it be only an occasional habit. Mixing two oils is not recommended in the long run because this practice can damage your engine.
However, if you need to top off oil or if you have no other alternative, use a different oil.
It is important to know that the oils are made for specific climates. 5W30 is better for a warm climate, while 5w20 is adequate for colder environments.
Can you mix 5w30 and 5w20? Yes, you can, as long as it is in moderate portions and you must not do it too often. In this manner, you will save your engine performance and your car will serve you better in the long run.
Read Next: Mercedes A0 Service
