Motor oil 5w30 characteristics

A motor is an extremely complex power mechanism that sets a car in motion. It consists of many separate systems, the breakdown of each of which can cost expensive repairs. To ensure that your engine runs as long as possible and does not cause you any problems, you need to regularly fill it with high-quality motor oil. Oil with index 5W-30 is intended for relatively new cars with both diesel and gasoline engines. It’s quite easy to choose; modern manufacturers offer a lot of options.

Benefits of 5W-30 oils

5W-30 is a synthetic motor oil that is most popular among modern motorists. It has become very widespread among cars that are used in urban environments. Using this lubricant, it is possible to prevent the negative impact of the following factors on the engine:

• Frequent and prolonged traffic jams.
• Long idle operation of the engine.
• Excessive dust content.
• Frequent short trips.

Motor oil 5W-30 is a unique liquid that is equipped with specific additives. They protect the internal surface of the engine from excessive wear. Typically, this oil is changed once every 20-30 thousand kilometers.

Strengths of motor oil

SAE 30 motor oil from reputable brands, as a rule, has the following properties:

1. Remarkable lubricity, regardless of driving style.
2. Reliable protection, reduced engine wear, and prevention of deposits even during extreme driving.
3. Protection at elevated temperatures, ensuring favorable conditions for long-term operation of a turbocharged engine.
4. High-quality cleaning of dirty motors.
5. Good lubrication at cold tolerances and protection at sub-zero temperatures.

Selection of oil according to all rules

Correct selection of lubricant consists of knowing certain abbreviations that carry important information for the driver. Among them:

1. SAE (USA Association of Automotive Engineers). The SAE 5w 30 oil described here also belongs to this classification. This designation helps car owners make selections based on climate.

On the back of the container with engine oil there is data on the SAE classification, thanks to which it is possible to find out at what temperature the oil product should be used.

It is very important for drivers to understand such subtleties, because in such a large country as Russia, severe frosts occur in some regions, while in others there is intense heat for months. The exact decoding of SAE suggests that the digital increase will serve as a hint that the lubricant is recommended for elevated temperatures.

For 5w30 oil, the decoding states that the maximum operating temperature is +25ºС. So, this oil product is recommended for use in the temperature range from -30ºС to +25ºС. In regions where summer temperatures do not rise above +25ºС, SAE 5w30 grease can be considered all-season.

Also read: Oil viscosity - what the numbers mean

2. Oil marked High Temperature means that this lubricant will help reduce fuel consumption, that is, it is energy saving. Grease with this mark is used in conditions with elevated temperatures.

3 . The abbreviation ISLAC indicates that the oil is manufactured according to the standards of the international committee (Japan, USA).

4. Selecting oil according to the ACEA (for diesel and gasoline engines) reduces the risk of needing engine overhauls.

Types of motor oils

The oil, known as synthetic, has a base obtained through the synthesis of chemicals. The main characteristic features of “synthetics” are the ability to set some parameters in advance at the stage of creating a lubricant.

This type also includes the largest number of additives. That is why “synthetics” guarantee excellent protection and cleaning properties. It does not thicken at sub-zero temperatures and is resistant to maximum operating conditions.

A test of 5w30 synthetic motor oils showed their following capabilities:

• wide operating temperature range;
• stable operation at high pressure;
• resistance to polymerization;
• cleaning qualities;
• excellent viscosity;
• low volatility.

If we talk about the disadvantages of synthetic lubricants, they are increased chemical activity caused by the presence of a large number of additives and low compatibility with mineral oils.

The mineral is obtained from petroleum. This product is inexpensive, but inferior to its synthetic counterpart in some aspects. In comparison with “synthetics”, “mineral water” is inferior in the following factors:

• does not provide high performance results;
• does not withstand too high temperatures;
• thickens in extreme cold;
• prone to rapid oxidation;
• needs to be replaced after boiling;
• forms sludge in the engine.

An oil that is a cross between synthetic and mineral is known as “semi-synthetic”. This oil product is made on a mineral basis, to which a lot of additives are added, allowing the semi-synthetic oil to come as close as possible to synthetics. Having a number of strengths, “semi-synthetics” are cheaper than “synthetics”.

Also read: Which oil is better: 5w30 or 5w40 in winter?

Oil that meets the standard

The SAE oil classification allows you to understand how thick or thin a lubricant is. To ensure that the lubricant meets Society of Automotive Engineers standards, experts conduct a test.

When filling the engine with oil, make sure that the lubricant sufficiently fills the large gaps between the elements in contact with each other and does not drain and is able to maintain the pressure optimal for the functioning of the system.

The flow rate is determined by the amount of time it takes for the lubricant to completely flow through a calibrated hole. The higher the density of the material, the longer it will take to flow.

It is known that a lubricant that is too thin will not be able to sufficiently lubricate the system and will be subject to rapid evaporation under the influence of high temperatures.

But if the lubricant is very thick, it will be difficult to start the car when the thermometer is minus. That is why you need to select based on the recommendations of the car manufacturer, which indicates the appropriate class of oil product in the car’s operating instructions.

SAE 30 grease is considered suitable for new vehicles that have reached less than 25% of their engine life. In this case, the specified oil can be used as an “all-season” oil. It is also suitable for cars that have already used up 2 to 3 quarters of their allotted engine life. In this case, 5W30 oil is recommended for use in the summer.

By paying close attention to the needs of the engine and the operation of the lubrication system, you can really extend the life of your car by years and avoid annoying breakdowns.

SAE oil classification

Each technical liquid has a set of unique properties. All of them are classified according to certain properties that must be taken into account before purchasing a particular product. Remember that there are both universal oils and separate ones for gasoline or diesel. In addition, there are synthetic, semi-synthetic and mineral lubricants. 5W-30 oil is exclusively synthetic.

Remember that each motor oil has a number of specific requirements. One of the most important indicators is the viscosity of the oil and its temperature characteristics. At the moment, the SAE classification, which is widespread in developed countries, is the most popular. According to this standard, all oils are divided into the following groups:

• Winter. Designed for engine use in low temperature conditions.
• Summer. Provides optimal viscosity at high temperatures.
• Universal. Designed for use regardless of the time of year.

Many drivers know very well what kind of oil is needed for their car. However, not every one of them understands what these numbers mean. In general, it is customary to decipher oil parameters as follows:

• “5” - indicates the minimum temperature at which the oil retains its normal performance properties.
• “W” - indicates that the oil is suitable for use in winter.
• “30” - shows the maximum temperature at which the oil retains its properties.

Oil fluidity is an important parameter

The viscosity of motor lubricant is an indicator that all motorists who care about the condition of their car pay attention to. When considering 5w30 oil, it is worth noting:

1. The 5w value describes the fluidity of the oil at temperatures below zero degrees. The more minus on the thermometer, the more the lubricant thickens, but it is very difficult for an oil pump to pump a thick mixture.
2. The number 30 indicates the high temperature of the lubricant. Increased fluidity contributes to the formation of an oil film on the engine elements in contact with each other.

5w30 oil belongs to the category of all-season oils. This is the type of lubricant that most car enthusiasts choose. The main reason for this is the versatility of the product. At the same time, do not forget about the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer, who advises taking the oil most suitable for a specific engine design, with a certain degree of fluidity and a set of additives.

So, for example, if the engine is designed for 5w30 motor oil, then by filling it with 5w40 lubricant, the driver will increase the load on the pump and contribute to an increase in the degree of friction. In this case, the following will also happen - the oil consumption in the system will decrease, because the higher the fluidity, the stronger the hydraulic resistance, and, consequently, the system will begin to function with the expectation of lower oil consumption.

Also read: 10w40 - semi-synthetic oil for your car engine

As a result, the engine will wear out more, and at the same time oil starvation will occur. If you imagine the opposite situation, when SAE 5w30 oil is poured instead of the recommended 5w40, it turns out that too liquid lubricant has entered the engine. For this reason, the oil film will not be well retained in the system and this will also lead to wear.

Popular 5W-30 oils

Motor oil 5W-30 is one of the most popular. It is used on modern car models. It is also intended for both petrol and diesel models. Among the most popular options are:

• GM 5W-30 is a synthetic motor oil that is branded for Opel, Buick, and Ford cars. In addition, the liquid has approvals from BMW and Volkswagen. This oil is suitable for vehicles with a particulate filter. Be careful, as it is often counterfeited. There are varieties of oil Dexos 1 and Dexos 2 - the first is suitable exclusively for gasoline models.
• Motul 8100 5W-30 is a popular motor oil that has the highest tolerances. It contains all the necessary additives that protect the power unit from premature wear. It also contains detergent components that prevent soot deposition.
• Liqui Molly 5W-30 is a synthetic motor oil that has the highest tolerances. The composition contains unique additives that protect the engine from premature wear. Liquid Molly is considered one of the best in the entire automotive world. Please note that this product is quite expensive. It is because of this that it is extremely often counterfeited.
• Mobile 5W-30 is another popular oil that has the highest tolerances from leading manufacturers. The factories of this manufacturer are also located in Russia, so the cost of the product is lower than its analogues. Numerous reviews show that the oil perfectly cleans the engine of salt deposits.

Oil test 5W-30

Before a motor oil receives its quality certificate, it must undergo comprehensive testing. It is based on chemical analysis. You can obtain information about the tests performed from the label - it should contain detailed information about the results obtained. Also on the label, each manufacturer places compliance with the declared standards. Oil testing is carried out in laboratories; special stands are used for this.

It is very important to study at what temperatures engine oil retains its performance properties. In addition, such tests allow you to determine whether the engine can be started in cold weather. The tests also show whether the oil forms a protective film on the surface of the parts. With its presence, it is possible to significantly increase the service life of the power unit. A good oil also contains detergent components.