Difference between 5w30 and 5w40 (With Table)

Vehicles are becoming basic in our modern life. Many people are really investing in vehicles hence they need information about the kind of vehicles they are purchasing.

The vehicles have different kinds of engines. The engines use different engine oils which are of different viscosity as tested by the society of automotive engineers.

5w30 and 5w40 are some of the engine oils found in the market. The two are slightly different but most people think it is the same.

They are both motor engine oils but they work differently as they have different viscosity hence they should not be referred to as interchangeably.

So, what is the main difference between 5w30 and 5w40? 5w30 is engine oil that has lower viscosity while 5w40 is engine oil that has a higher viscosity.

For more information about the difference between 5w30 and 5w40 in tabular form, continue reading the article. You will also get to learn of the similarities between the two.

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Comparison Table (5w30 Vs 5w40)

Basic Terms	5w30	5w40
Definition	It is engine oil that has a lower viscosity.	It is engine oil that has a higher viscosity.
Thickness	It is comparatively thicker.	It is not thicker.
Operating viscosity	Its working viscosity is from 9.3 to 12.5mm2/s.	Its working viscosity is from 12.5 to 16.3mm2/s.
Flow of oil	It flows very smoothly.	It has high pressure but less flow.
Availability	Rarely available for use.	It is always available for use.
Price	It is expensive.	It is comparatively cheaper.
Types of oil	It is multi-graded oil that is suitable for use in low temperatures.	It is the crude oil that can be used in vehicles that have unleaded and leaded gasoline.
Temperatures	It is suitable for use both in low and high temperatures.	It is not suitable at all temperatures.

What is 5w30?

5w30 is engine oil that has a lower viscosity. The viscosity ranges from 5 as the lowest and 30 as the highest.

The letter ‘w’ in 5w30 represents winter and the number represents the viscosity of the oil where 5 is at its lowest while 30 is at its highest.

The society of automotive engineers grades the oil according to its viscosity characteristics. It is graded as per the reaction at different temperatures.

5 represents the viscosity of the oil at cold temperatures hence it can flow the engine oil smoothly even at cold temperatures.

It is referred to as multi-graded oil as it flows smoothly whether under cold conditions or hot conditions. It is thin enough to flow under low or high temperatures.

It is mainly used in light-duty petrol and diesel engine. It is comparatively expensive as compared to other types of engine oil and it is rarely found.

What is 5w40?

5w40 is engine oil with high viscosity. Its lowest temperature is 5 and its highest is 40. This makes it to be less thick as compared to 5w30 engine oil.

It helps the engine to work smoothly and the moving parts from overheating because of friction. It keeps the engine clean by burning the by-products and also protects the engine from oxidation.

It is the crude oil that can be used in both vehicles which have leaded and unleaded gasoline. It is mainly used by European countries which have gas-powered engines and in American diesel pick-up tracks.

It is less expensive as compared to 5w30 and it is found in most parts hence it is the commonly used engine oil although it is not suited for cold temperatures.

Main Difference between 5w30 and 5w40

5w30 engine oil has lower viscosity while 5w40 engine oil has higher viscosity.
5w30 engine oil is comparatively thicker while 5w40 engine oil is less thick.
5w30 engine oil is suitable for both low and high temperatures while 5w40 engine oil is only suitable for warmer temperatures.
5w30 engine oil flows smoothly while 5w40 engine oil flows have high pressure but less flow.
5w30 engine oil is multi-graded oil that is suitable both at low and high temperatures while 5w40 engine oil can be used in both vehicles which have leaded and unleaded gasoline.
5w30 is expensive while 5w40 is comparatively cheaper.
5w30 engine oil is rarely found while 5w40 engine oil is available in most parts.

Similarities between 4w30 and 5w40

They are both effective and function well during colder periods.
Both are used for warmer temperatures because of their thickness.
Both are engine oil.

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Conclusion

5w30 and 5w40 are both engine oils used in vehicles. They are graded based on viscosity. Both are effective and function well during colder periods but the most referred for cold seasons is the 5w30 engine oil.

However, the two are different from each other. The main difference between 5w30 and 5w40 engine oil is that 5w30 has low viscosity while 5w40 has high viscosity.

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