How to Choose the Right Oil Grade for Your Vehicle? 5W30, 10W40, or…?

Thứ 5, 05/02/2026

Administrator

40

Thứ 5, 05/02/2026

Administrator

40

Choosing the right engine oil grade not only helps the car run smoothly and save fuel, but also directly determines the engine's durability. However, many car owners are still confused by symbols like 0W20, 5W30, 10W40, 15W40… and often choose based on intuition or word of mouth.

How to Choose the Right Oil Grade for Your Vehicle? 5W30, 10W40, or…?

Choosing the right engine oil grade not only helps the car run smoothly and save fuel, but also directly determines the engine's durability. However, many car owners are still confused by symbols like 0W20, 5W30, 10W40, 15W40… and often choose based on intuition or word of mouth.

So What is viscosity grade? Which type should I choose?Let's explore the details with Gartz below.

 


 

What is viscosity grade? What do the symbols 5W30, 10W40… mean?

Viscosity grade is a classification of engine oil viscosity according to the SAE standard.

For example:

5W30 - 10W40 - 15W40
In there:

The letter W (Winter): indicates the viscosity of the oil when the engine is cold.
The number before WThe smaller the number, the thinner the oil will be during a cold start.
The number after W: indicates the viscosity of the oil when the engine is hot.

For example:

5W30→ Dilute when cool, medium consistency when hot
10W40→ Thicker, suitable for older cars and heavy-duty vehicles.


Why can choosing the wrong oil grade damage your engine?

 

Choosing the wrong grade of oil can cause a number of problems:

- The car is sluggish, weak, and accelerates slowly.
- Consumes more fuel than usual.
- The engine heats up quickly.
- Wear and tear of internal components
- Reduces engine lifespan.
In many cases, a slow computer isn't due to a malfunction, but rather to other factors.Choosing the wrong viscosity grade.

 


 

How to choose the right oil grade for your vehicle.

1. Based on the manufacturer's recommendations.

Each car manufacturer clearly recommends the appropriate oil grade in their owner's manual. This is the most important criterion.

Example: Newer cars → commonly used0W20, 5W30
Older cars → commonly used10W40, 15W40


 

2. Based on actual operating conditions

- Frequent city driving and traffic jams → it's advisable to use engine oil.more dilutedlike 5W30 for good heat dissipation.
- For long distances, heavy loads, and highway driving → use10W40This helps create a thicker oil film, providing better protection for the machine.


 

3. Based on engine condition

- New car, engine still sealed → priority5W30, 0W20
- The car has driven over 100,000 km → it's recommended to use it.10W40to reduce oil consumption and increase engine sealing.


 

Quick comparison: 5W30 vs 10W40

Criteria

5W30

10W40

Cold start

Very good

Good

Fuel saving

High

Medium

Protect the machine from overheating.

Good

Very good

Fit

New car, for city driving.

Used, heavy-duty vehicles

 


 

How often should I change my engine oil?

- City driving:5.000 – 7.000 km
- Long-distance vehicles:7.000 – 10.000 km
- Heavy trucks, used for service purposes:3.000 – 5.000 km
Changing the oil at the right time is just as important as choosing the right oil grade.

 


 

Gartz – High-quality engine oil solutions

Gartz offers the following lineshigh-quality engine oil, meeting all common viscosity grades:

0W20 - 5W30 - 5W30 - 10W40
All products are manufactured to international standards, which helps to:

- Superior engine protection
- Reduce friction
- Increases the lifespan of the machine.
- Fuel efficient
Gartz – Quality builds the brand., supporting the performance and durability of your engine.

 

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