In the past, many cars were able to run on multiple kinds of oils. While there have always been recommendations from manufacturers, people didn’t pay much attention as the cars weren’t as sensitive to the wrong engine oil as they are today. The reason for engines becoming more sensitive is a byproduct of modern technology and increased efficiency. Engines evolved numerous times, eventually becoming marvels of precision engineering.

This has ultimately led to higher compression ratios and variable valve timing systems. Turbochargers are also a lot more prevalent. Since engine oil lubricates all of these components, it has to be within a very narrow spec. Even so, accidents happen. We’re here today to discuss what happens when you use the wrong engine oil in your car.

Engine Oil Viscosity

First, we need to discuss what makes the engine oil “wrong”. If you’ve noticed, jugs of oil have a few numbers with the alphabet W on them. This is the viscosity of the oil and is almost always labeled on the forward-facing side of the jug or bottle of oil. The W in the oil grade stands for ‘Winter’. If you are wondering why, well it’s because the temperatures play a huge role in the viscosity of the oil.

Almost every engine oil available today is a multi-grade oil, meaning that it meets the requirements of multiple viscosity grades. One of the most widely used engine oil grades is 10W-30. The ‘10’ and ‘30’ denote that they can offer a viscosity of as low as 10 and as high as 30. 

Engine oil with a viscosity of 10 is known to be thinner which allows for good flow in cold conditions, whereas a viscosity of 30 implies that it’s thick enough to not lose its properties in warmer conditions. While multigrade engine oils are more flexible, there are still quite a few things people need to keep in mind.

One of them is that there are many more multi-grade options besides 10W-30. For instance, there are engine oils that feature a viscosity rating of 10W-40. While that may sound quite similar to 10W-30, the higher number after the W suggests that it can work efficiently in a wider range of temperatures. That being said, it’s not the smartest choice for use in lower temperatures.

On the other hand, there are engine oils that have a grade that reads 0W-30. This time around there’s a difference with the former number where it is lower. What that means is that the engine oil will perform better at lower temperatures. Engine oil tends to lose its ability to flow well as the temperature drops, but oils with grades that have a lower number before the ‘W’ will offer better performance.

What Engine Oil Should I Use?

The versatility of modern multi-grade options has certainly lowered the chances of using the wrong engine oil, but it’s still a common mistake. The engine oil, meanwhile, can work in a wider range of conditions. Even so, it’s recommended to remain within the viscosity range mentioned in the owner’s manual when performing an oil change. If you’re in doubt, you might find the viscosity information on the engine oil filler cap.

There’s always a possibility of engine oil being either too thin or thick for an engine. It’s best to make sure it’s suitable for your engine and then proceed to make a selection according to the temperature it’s going to be exposed to. 

How Does Wrong Engine Oil Affect Modern Engines?

The wrong engine oil can come in two forms. It can either be wrong in terms of viscosity or terms of quality. The symptoms of wrong engine oil won’t be evident right away as it usually affects the engine in ways that can affect performance and longevity in the long run.

As mentioned above, modern engines aren’t as forgiving as older engines. This means that even the smallest inconsistencies can affect performance. Oil that’s too thin or thick can directly affect the internals of the engine. Wrong engine oil is not a minor problem. If you use too high of a viscosity, you’ll have metal on metal contact that will ultimately result in increased friction. If ignored, this friction can wear down every spinning component inside the engine. 

On the other hand, if you use oil that is too thick, your engine will have to fight harder to operate as thicker oil provides more resistance to moving mechanical parts. This additional stress can cause premature wear, engine failure and other symptoms. 

There’s also a matter of oil endurance. Using the wrong viscosity oil in your car can push that oil past its limits. This means the wrong engine oil would have to do more work which would cause it to turn into a darker shade quite early on. Other symptoms of wrong engine oil include poor gas mileage, overheating, and stalling engine. 

I Put the Wrong Engine Oil in My Car, Now What?

The only way to solve this issue is to flush the wrong oil and do another oil change. Fixing this problem is quite similar to how you would go about helping change out the type of gas if it were incorrectly filled. Car owners fill diesel instead of petrol or vice versa more often than you would think. This is a simple mistake that can only be addressed by draining the tank of the old gas and replacing it with new fuel.

Similarly, the wrong engine oil has to be drained and replaced with the correct one. It is recommended to replace the engine oil filter as well since it can carry a bunch of oil. Optionally, you can use an engine oil flush to make sure there’s no residue of the wrong engine oil in the system.

Stick to High-Quality Engine Oils

Whether you decide to get a cold weather appropriate 0W-20 or a warm climate friendly 15W-40, it’s best to stick to one that’s within the recommended range in the owner’s manual. You should be okay. Getting quality oil is equally important. Brands such as MOTUL offer engine oils that remain consistent throughout use. On top of that, such high-quality oils also feature a wide range of additives that help protect the engine, improve gas mileage, and reduce emissions. 

We Can Help You Find the Correct Engine Oil

With all the different grades and brands out there, it can get quite challenging to find the right oil for your car. This is where we come in as Newparts.com not only has the correct engine oil but the oil filter and any other parts you’d need to go with it as well. Our easy-to-use search system is designed to make looking for parts easier. So head to our Shop and make the switch to a high-quality synthetic engine!