You have the best-motorized vehicles with guaranteed top-notch performance.
Poured the engine oil after checking its quality.
That’s wonderful! Now it’s time to enjoy the trip and whisper a gentle breeze.
But what if your car won’t perform smoothly in freezing weather?
It’s a bit frustrating as well as overwhelming.
In most cases, people facing the situation are misled by SAE 30 and 5w30 engine oil.
Most probably, you also align this group.
Relax, and take a deep breath. Let us break down the core differences between SAE 30 vs 5W-30. Once you know the insider, you can confidently choose the right oil.
Comparison Table Between SAE 30 vs 5w30
A table is beneficial to get the gist of oil information with a bird’s eye view. This comparison table is tailored to save your valuable time but get the points.
| Features | SAE 30 | 5w30 |
| Grade | Single grade | Multiple grade |
| Types | Synthetic | Advanced full synthetic |
| Used for | Gasoline and diesel engines | Petrol and diesel engine |
| Viscosity | Thick | Thick |
| Temperature range | 4°c to 100°c | -30ºc to 35ºc |
| Suitable for | Summer season | Extremely winter season |
| Fuel economy | Excellent | Good |
| Oil changing interval (Milage) | Every 50 hours of use or 6 months | 7500 to 10000 miles or 6 months to 1 year |
| Compatible vehicles | Small engines, Lawnmowers, Snow blowers, Chain-saws, and Light-duty tractors | Passenger cars, SUVs, Light vans & trucks, Airplanes, and Snowplows |
| Price | Affordable | A bit pricey |
What Do SAE 30 And 5w30 Mean In Motor Oil?
As SAE 30 and 5W-30, both codes sound almost similar. At first hearing, you may think both of the oils’ characteristics are the same. But there is a subtle difference.
The SAE 30 is a single-grade oil with one rating, which is 30. Here SAE stands for Society of Automotive Engineers, and the 30 refers to the temperature resistance in hot weather conditions.
But, the 5w30 is a multi-grade oil with two ratings, 5 and 30. Here, 5 represents the heat-resistant level in cold weather, represents winter, and 30 represents the heat-resistant level in hot weather.
A Quick Overview Of SAE 30
The SAE 30 comes with higher viscose, and its thickness remains higher in high temperatures. It can maintain thickness when your engine works harder and faces lots of stress due to tough weather.
The oil’s volatility, shear, and thermal stability are higher, which promotes your engine’s peak performance with maximum protection.
In terms of oil cleanliness, you have to praise it because of its lower sludge and deposits buildup. So, your vehicle will consume less fuel, which boosts fuel economy.
Advantages
- Compatible with all small engines due to its single grade
- Additional additives smoothly lube the engine’s functional parts
- Higher stability prevents getting it thinner in higher temperature
- Affordable price than multi-grade oils that saves your bucks
A Quick Overview Of 5w30
Basically, 5w30 advanced full synthetic oil is formulated and designed for freezing temperatures. In this condition, you face struggles to start your engine of inappropriate oil flowing through the engine’s internal parts.
When the weather is cold, its 5 weight represents thinner viscosity to cooperate with the lowest temperature. However, that doesn’t mean it won’t work in high-heat weather. The 30 weight of the oil ensures the optimal oil pressure even in regular summer months. But, for extremely heavy heat, it won’t offer the best performance.
Advantages
- Ensure maximum protection even in freezing temperatures.
- Additional detergents prevent rust and oil breakdown due to sludge
- Keep your engine healthy with maximum horsepower
- Versatile to use in different vehicles and prolong their lifespan
A Detail Comparison of SAE 30 Vs 5w30
Now, we’ll focus on the in-depth analysis of the oils.
Compatible Season
Though there are six seasons (Summer, Rainfall, Autumn, Fall, Spring, & Winter) in our calendar. But, mostly, we can feel summer and winter. Your vehicle also can feel these two seasons. So you have to consider your engine’s behavior and oil’s compatible seasons before choosing.
SAE 30
Since this oil is high-temperature resistant, it is great to use in extremely hot weather. You can fine-tune your car with this oil at temperatures ranging from 40°f to 212°f or 4°c to 100°c. The higher oil thickness can effectively manage the engine’s internal parts to keep them working without wear and tear.
5W-30
Oppositely, this oil is specially formulated for freezing temperatures to jump-start your vehicle. It can optimize the engine even at -22°f or -30ºc, which most oils fail. However, you can pour the oil into your engine reservoir to get peak performance up to 95°f or 35°c temp.
Compatible Engines & Vehicles
Motorized vehicles with different engines bring a revolutionary change in our daily lives. Where the oil works as its blood, but all types of oils aren’t worthwhile for all engines.
SAE 30
This oil is suitable for your gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles, which come with small engines because of their single grade. Most of the cases, people love to use SAE 30 oil in lawn mowers, snow blowers, cars, small tractors, and Chain-saws to increase their performance dramatically.
5W-30
The engines powered by petrol and diesel require 5W-30 oil. It comes with exceptional quality to protect the engine from cold starting. You can use this oil in cars, ATVs, SUVs, light-duty trucks, vans, and snowplows.
Oil Changing Frequently
We have to eat at least 3 times a day to stay fit and fine. After a meal, the stomach digests the food and supplies energy to every part of our body.
The engine also works by following the same mechanism. After putting the oil into the reservoir, the engine runs, and you can drive the vehicle. But, within a specific time, it loses its effectiveness, and you need to change it.
SAE 30
Since you use this oil in small engines, that won’t work harder. So it can offer you high mileage efficiency with a longer oil-changing interval. If you use the SAE 30 oil in your lawn mower, there is no need to change the oil within 6 months.
The thumb rule for changing this oil is every 50 hours of running or 6 months of age. You can follow any rule that comes first.
5W-30
As this oil is used in most vehicles, those run on city roads. So it’s better to calculate the oil changing interval in mileage. Once you pour the oil, it can keep running your car for up to 7500 to 10000 miles or 12000 to 16000 kilometers. After that, you should check the oil’s viscosity and change it.
But, if you won’t use the oil, it’ll remain fresh, clean, and usable for up to 1 year.
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FAQs
Is SAE 30 the same as 5W-30?
No, the SAE 30 is not the same as the 5W-30. They differ in oil grade, viscosity, heat resistance, and compatible engines.
Can I use SAE 30 instead of 5w30?
No, you should not use SAE 30 instead of 5w30 because both oils are formulated and designed for different weather conditions. The SAE 30 oil offers maximum performance in hot weather, while 5w30 in extremely cold weather. Moreover, the old classic vehicles require SAE 30 oil, while the modern vehicles require multi-grade 5W30 oil.
Can I mix SAE 30 with 5w30?
No, you can’t mix SAE 30 with 5w30 because of their reverse characteristics. For example
- The SAE 30 is single-grade, and the 5w30 is multi-grade.
- The SAE 30 is good for hot weather, and the 5w30 is good for cold weather.
- The SAE 30 will remain thick in high temperatures, and the 5w30 will be thin in high temperatures.
If you mix these oils, both lose their quality and viscosity. So the mixed oil fails to optimize your engine.
What To Choose Between SAE 30 Vs 5w30?
Hopefully, now you have a clear picture in your mind of which oil to choose under what circumstances.
You must choose the SAE 30 oil, living in Florida and other hotter areas in the USA.
On the other hand, if you live in a region where the weather remains cold most of the time. Choosing 5w30 will be a good idea. That’s the overall discussion. But checking your vehicle’s manual guide to know the manufacturer’s recommendation is a must before finalizing the oil.
Hello, I’m Gary. Welcome to my blog.
Complete graduation from Weber State University ( Department of Automotive Technology)
I have been working with automotive for about 17 years. I have a garage in New Jersey.
In my spare time, I love to spend time with my family. Driving new cars is my hobby.