Difference Between 5w30 and 5w40 (With Table)

The word 5w30 is an engine oil which used mainly in diesel engines and patrol. In today’s time, 5w30 is a multi-graded oil that has the range from higher viscosity grade of 30 to lower viscosity 5. Its working viscosity is from 9.3 to 12.5mm2/s.

The word 5w40 is also an engine oil that indicates the weight or viscosity of the engine oil as tested by the society of automotive engineers. 5w40 operating viscosity is 12.5 to 16.3mm2/s.

5w30 vs 5w40

The main difference between 5w30 and 5w40 is that 5w40 has larger viscosity than 5w30. This means 5w30 is better than 5w40.


 

Comparison Table Between 5w30 and 5w40 (in Tabular Form)

Parameter of Comparison

5w30

5w40

Meaning

5w30 is engine oil that has lower viscosity 5 and higher viscosity 30.

5w40 is engine oil that indicates the weight and viscosity of the engine. Its lower viscosity is 5 and higher viscosity is 40.

Thickness

It has a lower viscosity, so it is thicker

5w40 oil is not thicker has it has a higher viscosity.

Temperature

5w30 has lower viscosity hence it is suitable to use in hot or lower temperatures.

5w40 has higher viscosity hence it is not suitable at all temperatures.

Types of oil

5w30 is a multi-graded oil which is suitable to use in lower temperature.

5w40 is crude oil which can be used in a vehicle which has unleaded and leaded gasoline.

Price

5w30 is an expensive engine oil as compared to 5w40.

5w40 is not expensive engine oil.

Availability

It is rarely available to use.

It is always available to use.

Oil flow

It flow oil through engine very smoothly.

It has high pressure but it has less flow.

Operating viscosity

Its working viscosity is from 9.3 to 12.5mm2/s.

5w40 operating viscosity is 12.5 to 16.3mm2/s.

 

What is 5w30?

5w30 is engine oil that has a lower viscosity. The W in 5w30 represents “WINTER” and the number represents the viscosity of the oil at high temperature. A numerical code system for grading engine oil was established by the Society of Automotive Engineer called “SAE” they grade the oil according to their viscosity characteristic. As the viscosity of oil changes with the temperature, but the multi-graded oil protects the range of temperature.

The number 5 in 5w30 describes the viscosity of the oil at cold temperatures. If the number is lower then the oil will be thinner, thus it will help to flow in the engine very smoothly even at a cold temperature. Number 30 represents how fine the oil is working at a normal operating temperature. 

5w30 is also known as multi-graded oil because under any condition like hot or cold it is thin enough to flow in low temperature and fine enough to flow at a high temperature.

This oil is mainly used in light-duty petrol and diesel engine. It ranges from lower viscosity of 5 to higher viscosity of 30. 5w30 engine oil is different from other as it has viscosity five means less thin in a very low temperature and viscosity thirty means less viscous at high temperature. It is the most commonly used motor oil which is mainly suitable for all vehicles and engine type.

 

What is 5w40?

5w40 is a motor oil that helps the engine to work smoothly and the moving parts from overheat because of friction. 5w40 transfer heat from the combustion cycle and assist to keep the engine clean by burning by-product and protects the engine from oxidation. The external and internal temperature of the running engine affects how well the motor oil will perform.

The number before W indicates the weight or viscosity of engine oil. If the number is higher the thicker the flow will be in the engine. The W indicates cold or winter. 5w40 has a lower viscosity 5 and a higher viscosity is 40. This is crude oil which can be used in a vehicle which has leaded and unleaded gasoline. The operating viscosity of 5w40 oil is 12.5 to 16.3mm2/s.

5w40 motor oil has winter viscosity of 5 that means it is less viscous at very cold temperature. The higher viscosity grade is 40 that means it is just viscous at a high temperature. This engine oil is mainly by European who have gas-powered engines and in American diesel pickup trucks.


Main Differences Between 5w30 and 5w40

  1. Both 5w30 and 5w40 are motor oil but they have different viscosity.
  2. 5w30 works smoothly on the engine as it is thicker. On the other hand, 5w40 is not that much thicker.
  3. 5w30 works smoothly and regardless on high and low temperatures the high and low te. On the other hand, 5w40 works smoothly in cold temperature.
  4. 5w30 is an expensive engine whereas 5w40 is not costly engine oil.
  5. 5w30 cannot be available in all the places whereas 5w40 is easily available.
  6. 5w40 has a higher viscosity rate as compare to 5w30.
  7. 5w30 has a lower viscosity rate of five and a higher viscosity rate of thirty. On the other hand, 5w40 has a lower viscosity rate and a higher viscosity rate of forty


 

Conclusion

There is very much difference between 5w30 and 5w40. They both are motor oil but their viscosity is different and they perform well in different told it will be easy to choose which engine oil is better. atmosphere. It depends upon your vehicle engine, how the motor oil will work.

Since the main difference between 5w30 and 5w40 has been Along with their viscosity their characteristic is also different. As the 5w30 is an expensive engine oil, it work smoothly in the internal part of the engine so that the vehicle runs perfectly. This engine oil will benefit you in future also. As per the comparison, 5w30 is better than 5w40.


References

  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301679X11002106
  2. https://www.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/2007-01-3539/