Yes. You can put 5w20 in a 5w30 engine, but you will end up with a lower grade of oil than the one you were using.
The higher the number, the thicker the oil is, and the more viscous it is.
Thicker oils are better at preventing wear in your engine, but they also take longer to get to where they need to be in your engine.
So if you put 5w20 in a 5w30 engine, it will not perform as well as it would if you had used 5w30.
What does 5W20 do?
The 5W20 is a lubricant that helps reduce friction and wear on your vehicle’s engine.
This will help prevent breakage and increase the lifespan of your engine, which can save you money in the long run.
What is 5W30 oil?
A 5W30 oil is one that has a viscosity of 5 and a weight of 30.
The W stands for winter, so this type of oil is best used in low temperatures.
It’s also good for use during the coldest months because it helps to keep your engine from freezing up.
The viscosity level of oil is how thin or thick it is. An oil with a high viscosity can hold more heat, but it also takes longer to get through your engine so as the temperature drops, you’d have to wait longer for it to warm up.
What is the difference between a 5w20 in a 5w30 engine?
There are a couple of key differences between a 5w20 and a 5w30 engine.
The first is that the lower the number, the thicker the oil. That means that a 5w30 has more viscosity than a 5w20, which makes it better for cold weather and for high-stress engines.
The second difference is that both oils have an SAE rating of 30, meaning they are both 30-weight oils. But because of their different viscosities, they have different properties.
A 5w20 will be thinner than a 5w30, so it will flow easier at cold temperatures but may not protect your engine as much as a 5w30 in high-stress situations like stop-and-go traffic or heavy acceleration-deceleration cycles which means it may require more frequent changes even when used in an SAE 30 engine.
Is it safe to use 5w20 in a 5w30 engine?
The 5w-20 grade of oil is the equivalent of a 10w-30 grade of oil, which means it has a viscosity that’s 10% less than the 30 grade.
The reason you can use this kind of oil in a 30-grade vehicle is that the difference between 10% and 30% viscosity isn’t that big; 20 is only about half again as vicious as 30.
So if you’re wondering whether your car’s engine can handle 5w20, it can! You just need to be sure to follow your owner’s manual for recommended oil changes.
Why would you want to put 5w20 in a 5w30 engine?
You would want to put 5w20 in a 5w30 engine because it is a thinner oil, which provides better lubrication at low temperatures and high pressures.
What are the risks of using 5w20 in a 5w30 engine?
The risks of using 5w20 in a 5w30 engine are relatively low. The main risk is that you may experience a drop in fuel economy, because the thinner oil will be able to flow through the engine more easily, but it may not be able to hold as much heat.
This means that your engine has to work harder to keep itself warm, which can result in higher fuel costs and a lower fuel economy.
Conclusion
you can put 5W20 in a 5W30 engine. But you need to make sure that it’s the right weight for your vehicle.
If you’re not sure, talk to your mechanic or contact the manufacturer of your car.
