5W30 vs. 5W40 Motor Oil

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Among all the options that are available in the market in the case of motor oils, the ones that make car owners fall into a dilemma the most are 5W40 and 5W30.

Are you finding yourself in the same predicament? Want to know about the best options that are available for the two types of oils?

Were you searching for a reliable source for the topic of 5W30 vs. 5W40 motor oil?

Well, you just found the source that you were looking for all this time. We are going to make things easier for you, and hopefully, by the end, you will be able to get yourself out of the dilemma and will be able to choose the right one for your vehicle.

5W30 vs 5W40 Motor Oil

After going through the review sections, you probably have a general idea about the things that are similar among the two types of oils.

Here we are going to talk about the differences that are in between them. These key differences will help you in making the right decision to get the right oil for your engine. They are:

The Fuel Economy

When the two of the fuels are compared by keeping the overall fuel economy into consideration, it seems that 5W30 is more efficient than 5W40.

This efficiency eventually leads to being more economical in the case of fuel economy.

Viscosity

In the case of operational viscosity, the 5W30 operates at about 9.3 mm2/s to 12.5 mm2/s.

On the other hand, the 5W40 works at 12.5 mm2/s to 16.3 mm2/s. So that equates that 5W40 is substantially more viscous than 5W30, which means that 5W30 is better in this regard.

Flow

In the case of oil flow, the 5W40 offers a higher working pressure, but on the contrary, it has a less smooth flow than 5W30.

That is why, in the case of overall flow, we would recommend 5W30 over 5W40 in this case.

Cost-Efficiency

When the offerings between the top brands of both the fuels are compared, it seems that 5W30 is a bit expensive.

So, if the cost is a factor for you, you should opt for 5W40.

The Temperature Range

The 5W30 operates smoothly under the temperature range of -25 degrees Celsius to 25 degrees Celsius.

On the other hand, the 5W40 can flow optimally from the range of -25 degrees Celsius to 35 degrees Celsius. In this case, we would recommend you to opt for the 5W40.

5W30 Motor Oil

Recommended 5W30 Motor Oil to Buy

When it comes to popularity, 5W30 is among the top ones in the market. It is one of the multigrade types of oil that can both be used in low temperatures in winter and in high temperatures in summer.

One of the reasons why these are so popular for cars is that it can make the engine roar just like it did when it was brand new.

It will enhance the overall performance of the engine, and you will get a redefined riding experience with this.

Other than that, these are also grabbed by most of the car owners because of being extremely cost-efficient.

Because of the capability of creating less drag on the moving parts and the bearings of the engine, it can achieve a significant amount of efficiency.

Lastly, the oil is compatible with most of the fuel engines. You will not have to worry about compatibility if you have a multi-valve, diesel, or gasoline engine.

Recommended 5W30 Motor Oil to Buy

You will find a plethora of options in the case of 5W30 in the market right now.

But, not all of them will be worth the money that you are going to spend on it.

For your convenience, we went through the most popular ones and picked only the best ones. They are:

Castrol – 15484E EDGE 5W-30 A3/B4 Advanced Full Synthetic

Getting the most of the car engine is one of the main goals of car owners. And to make that happen, Castrol brought out the EDGE lineup of motor oils in the market.

This fully synthetic motor oil is one of the premium options that are available in the market.

It will offer the strength that is required to handle the extreme pressure that is exerted on the engines.

The draining interval is the time where the engine remains the most vulnerable.

And, this oil will protect the engine throughout that entire time when the engine is under pressure.

Alongside that, the titanium technology that it comes induced with will enhance the performance of the engine.

You will not only be able to get extended lifespan but also will be able to reach the peak performance at ease.

Other than that, it efficiently reduces the metal to metal contact that occurs while driving in a wide variety of speeds.

This reduction of contact will enhance the performance of the engine further.

Lastly, it also increases the responsiveness of the engine by decreasing the deposit formation.

With this, your car will operate optimally, and it will handle smoothly like a butter.

PROS

  • Offers maximum protection under extreme conditions
  • Increases the maximum performance
  • Decreases the metal to metal contact
  • Reduces the engine deposits substantially
  • Protects the engine in draining interval

CONS

  • The batches are not that consistent
  • Not compatible with VW 507 00

Latest Comparison: 0W30 vs. 5W30 Motor Oil

Royal Purple 01530-6PK 5W30 High-Performance Synthetic Oil

Among all the manufacturers that are offering oils in the market, Royal Purple is one of the ones that are offering a premium lineup of motor oils. And the 5W30 from them is no different.

This motor oil is one of the fully synthetic options that are available. It combines the premium oil bases with a dash of proprietary technology to enhance the overall performance of the engine.

This oil will ensure better optimization and will offer you a smooth riding experience.

These are compatible with most of the other mineral and synthetic oils. That means you will not have to go through the extra hassle when you are switching to this oil form different types of lubricants.

Your experience with this will be smooth, just like your engine’s performance after you switch to this oil.

Other than that, it will offer superior protection to diesel and gasoline engines and thus will increase the overall performance even further.

Besides that, it will also be able to decrease the engine deposits efficiently and will let the oil smoothly throughout the engine.

Overall, this is an excellent pick if you were looking for 5W30 motor oil for your engine.

PROS

  • Offers superior protection
  • Reduces the old oil deposits gradually
  • Ensures smooth oil flow throughout the engine
  • Provides hassle-free transition from other oils
  • Compatible with most of the other oils

CONS

  • The bottles do not ship being properly sealed
  • Small engines do not get that much performance upgrade

Pennzoil Platinum Full Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-30

When it comes to offering the engine the maximum protection in a wide variety of temperature and conditions, you will have a tough time trying to find something like the ones that PENNZOIL are offering.

These oils are manufactured by checking all the industry standards for rigid conditions.

That means you are going to get excellent performance in all types of temperatures.

t will be able to offer reliable protection against the hottest summer heat and harshest winter breeze.

Alongside that, the overall performance will not degrade that much when the engine is in maximum pressure.

The platinum technology that it comes packed with will keep the pistons of your engine 40 percent cleaner compared to most other oils that are available.

Other than that, unlike most of the synthetic and conventional blends that are available in the market, it can clean the oil deposits efficiently.

With that, it will ensure a smooth and unobstructed flow of oil through the engine and thus will enhance the overall performance.

Lastly, this oil also provides excellent wear protection to the engine. It eliminates most of the metal to metal contact that occurs during combustion and will extend the overall lifespan of your engine.

PROS

  • Offers excellent wear protection
  • Cleans oil deposits efficiently
  • Keeps the pistons clean
  • Protects against harshest weather conditions
  • Enhances the overall performance significantly

CONS

  • The 5-quart container ships with just over four quarts full
  • The MPG offering is not that praiseworthy

Related Guide: 0W20 and 0W30 Motor Oil comparison

5W40 Motor Oil

Recommended 5W40 Motor Oil to Buy

The viscosity that 5W40 operates at is about 12.5 mm2/s to 16.3 mm2/s. This viscosity range quite more substantial when compared to most of the oil solutions that are available in the market. Because of this, these are mostly used for gasoline and diesel engines.

This type of motor oil promotes overall engine health. Most of the oils will prevent the build-up of oil deposits and sludge.

That means they will ensure a steady flow of oil throughout the engine, which will not only increase the performance but also will prevent any sort of damage that might occur during combustion.

Other than that, they offer efficient lubrication to the engines in the harshest winter days.

As a result, revving up the engine in cold weather will be no problem at all with this inside it.

Besides that, they also provide adequate performance in the extreme heat waves that summer days exert. With this, tunning the car in any weather condition will not be a hassle.

Recommended 5W40 Motor Oil to Buy

Not all the 5W40 motor oils that are available in the market will be able to offer you all the benefits that this type of lubricant usually can offer.

That is why we went through the most popular ones and picked the ones that check all the boxes. They are:

Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic 5W-40

Fuel economy is all that counts when it comes to engine oils. The more that a specific oil can offer, the better they are.

In that case, if you were looking for one that can provide better fuel economy than conventional oils that are out there, then you should have a look into this one.

This one can offer about 1.5 percent better fuel economy when compared to most of the typical oils that are available in the market.

And the best part is that it can offer that amount of increase with compromising a bit in the overall protection and durability of the engine.

That means you will get better performance without having to worry about your engine.

Other than that, it also provides a significant amount of protection against engine wears.

With this in your car, you can expect a stable performance for an extended amount of time.

It comes induced with multi-functional dispersant along with the synthetic-based oils that will let it control the overall deposit inside the oil.

You will not have to worry about contaminants building up in your engine and degrading the overall performance of your car.

PROS

  • Up to 1.5 percent increase in fuel economy
  • Protects the engine from typical wears
  • Increases the overall performance substantially
  • Reduces the build-up of contaminants
  • Increases the lifespan of the engine

CONS

  • The 8-quart size is comparatively overpriced
  • The 3-gallon bottle does not come with full capacity filled

Shell Rotella T4 Triple Protection

Dealing with the deposit inside the engine is one of the tasks that most of the oils can not handle efficiently.

But that is not the case with this one that Shell Rotella is offering to the market.

It comes packed with an enhanced formula that will reduce the overall deposits inside the engine and will offer a significant performance boost.

Other than that, it also offers adequate protection that is required to keep the engine clean during the interval of oil draining.

The exclusive low ash formula that it comes featured with will help in protecting the particulate filters and exhaust catalysts that most of the newer models of cars come with. You will not have to worry about the new engine that you just got.

Other than that, it does not only meet the requirements of API CJ-4, it also exceeds it.

That means it will not only be able to provide the enhancements that are required to get the extra performance out of both new and old engines.

Lastly, it offers enhanced stability and provides the optimal pressure of oil to increase the performance of your engine further.

PROS

  • Protects particulate filters and exhaust catalysts
  • Exceeds the requirements of API CJ-4
  • Protects the engine during the interval of the oil drain
  • Reduces the overall oil deposits
  • Enhances the overall stability and performance

CONS

  • The 2.5 gallon does not ship with proper sealing
  • Emits a burnt oil smell after a prolonged use

Cummins 3265336 Onan SAE 15W-40

In the case of having a diverse lineup of motor oils, hardly a few brands can be compared with Cummins.

They are one of the ones that have an excellent history of providing well-performing oils. And this one is no exception.

First of all, this oil offers a substantial amount of protection to the engine. It will protect from typical wear that occurs during combustion by minimizing the metal to metal contact.

With this in your car, you will not have to worry about the health of your engine.

Other than that, it also factors in the overall fuel economy. With the unique blend alongside the combination of base oil, it will decrease the consumption of oil and thus will lower the cost too. You will not have to break your bank to use this in your engine.

Besides that, it comes featured with a unique formulation that increases the heat resistivity.

It will provide adequate protection throughout the entire service interval and resist the breakdown that occurs for extreme heat.

You will be able to ride your car with full performance in staggeringly hot summer days.

PROS

  • Offers excellent protection against typical wears
  • Increases the performance substantially
  • Comes with a unique formulation that resists heat
  • Offers exceptional amount of MPG
  • Resists breakdown in extreme weather conditions

CONS

  • The price is comparatively high for smaller bottles
  • Not that efficient for smaller engines

Conclusion

We hope we were able to provide you enough information on the topic of 5W30 vs. 5W40 motor oil that you are no longer in the dilemma that you were before.

We would like to conclude here by wishing you good luck and hoping that your engine always offers you optimal performance.