5w40 Vs 15w40 Engine Oil
Need help selecting the perfect engine oil for your car? We’re here to simplify this complex selection process. This article compares 5w40 and 15w40 motor oils, highlighting their respective advantages and drawbacks so that you can make a wise decision about which type of lubricant is best-suited to your vehicle’s needs!
5w40 Vs 15w40 Table
We will discuss the differences between 5w40 and 15w40 engine oil and help you decide which is best for your car!
5w40 | 15w40 |
 |  |
SynShield OTR Plus | Delo 400 SDE |
Excellent fuel economy | Improved fuel economy gradually |
Superior cold weather startability | Formulated with ISOSYN technology |
Excellent heat resistance thinning | Long intervals between oil drains |
superior soot busting, deposit-dispersing capability | Has outstanding performance with ultra-low sulfur diesel |
Suitable for use API CK-4. | Meet the requirements of post-2007 low emission engines |
Excellent cold cranking startability and low weather pumpability. | Premium quality, heavy duty motor oil manufactured in the USA |
Why Compare?
The main difference between 5w40 and 15w40 oil types is viscosity. Viscosity is a measure of how easily a fluid can flow. The lower the number, the thinner the oil and the easier it will flow. The higher the number, the thicker the oil and the harder it will be to move.
Thinner oils like 5w40 are ideal for engines that start up in cold weather, as they will flow more efficiently and reduce the chances of engine seizure. Thicker oils like 15w40 are better for engines that run hot, as they will help to protect the engine from damage. Both engine oils have pros and cons, but which is best for your car? Here are a few factors to consider:
Climate
Your climate will play a role in deciding which engine oil is suitable for your car. If you live in colder weather, you should use a thinner oil like the Mobil 0W-40 or Castrol Edge 0W-40. These oils will flow more efficiently when the engine is cold and help prevent engine seizures.
If you live in a hot climate, you should use a thicker oil like the Pennzoil Platinum 15W-40 or Castrol GTX 15W-50. These oils will help to protect your engine from damage when it runs hot.
Engine Type
The type of engine in your car will also affect which oil is best for you. If you have a petrol engine, you should use a thinner oil like the Mobil 0W-40 or Castrol Edge 0W-40. These oils are designed to work well with high-performance engines.
If you have a diesel engine, you should use a thicker oil like the Pennzoil Platinum 15W-40 or Castrol GTX 15W-50. These oils protect your engine from the high temperatures produced by diesel engines.
Driving Habits
Your driving habits will also play a role in deciding which oil is best for your car. If you do a lot of stop-and-go driving, you should use a thinner oil like the Mobil 0W-40 or Castrol Edge 0W-40.
If you do a lot of highway driving, you should use a thicker oil like the Pennzoil Platinum 15W-40 or Castrol GTX 15W-50. These oils protect your engine from the high temperatures produced when engines run at high speeds.
Detergents
Detergents are incorporated in various oils to cleanse those containing particular commodities throughout their consumption. It acts as a purification agent for engine oil and aids in filtering undesirable particles.
The 5w40 engine oil has no detergents because of its natural existence. The 15w40 engine oil, for its part, has detergents in its condition. Because engine oil is mineral oil, such particles are expected to be present. Hence, they must be purified before ultimate use. The detergents can be found in 15w40 motor oil.
Viscosity
These engine oils have different viscosity that determines their reactions to various weather conditions. Viscosity is the flowability of the oils or simply how fast or slow one fluid can flow.
The viscosity levels of the 5w40 engine oil are specified to be maintained at a maximum of 5 degrees. It must circulate within these low temperatures to work correctly. This situation indicates that the oil flows well in low temperatures, which correspond to the winter season.
On the other hand, the 15w40 engine oil specifies a minimum temperature of 15 degrees at which the oil can circulate into the engine. It flows at low and high temperatures, making it a multi-grade oil for automobile engines.
Conclusion
The main factors you should consider are the climate, engine type, and driving habits when choosing between the two oils. If you live in cold weather or have a petrol engine, you should use the Mobil 0W-40 or Castrol Edge 0W-40.
If you live in a hot climate or have a diesel engine, you should use the Pennzoil Platinum 15W-40 or Castrol GTX 15W-50. This article helps you choose the right engine oil for your car. Thanks for reading!
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