A very versatile oil.
As soon as you want to keep your car in shape, you will have to carry out periodic engine oil changes. It is something relatively cheap but essential for it to work as it should. Now, not all oils are suitable for all cars. There are many types. One of the most common is 5w30 motor oil.
Before going into talking about it, we leave you a guide on: what it is, which one to choose, how it works and much more.
What is 5w30 oil?
The first thing to keep in mind is that oils can be classified in various ways, but one of the most common is their viscosity, according to which there are 11 different types of oil, six for winter (0W, 5W, 10W, 15W , 20W and 25W) and five for summer (20, 30, 40, 50 and 60).
In addition, then there are multigrade oils, which are valid for both low and high temperatures, and it is within this group that 5w30 oil is included.
What is different about 5w30 motor oil?
In multigrade oils, their own name is what makes their characteristics clear. In the case of the 5w30, it means the following:
- 5w: viscosity grade 5 at low temperatures
- 30: viscosity grade 10 at high temperatures
Viscosity is a key factor for oils, because the higher it is, the easier it will be to reach all the nooks and crannies of the engine, better lubricating the different parts and achieving better engine operation.
Why is 5w30 oil so common?
5w30 oil is very popular because it is very versatile and is capable of operating to good effect over a wide range of temperatures, making it useful for a wide variety of vehicles in a considerable number of environments, removing only those places where the heat or cold is very extreme.
It is capable of operating at temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius and as high as 35 degrees Celsius, making it suitable for the needs of a vast majority of cars.
Thanks to this, the same oil can be used throughout the year, without having to resort to seasonal changes, which represent a somewhat greater investment of both money and, above all, the inconvenience of having to do two oil changes per year.