Motor Oil 0w-40
Choosing 0w-40 oil for your car? In this article, we will tell you what to look for when choosing a 0w-40 viscosity oil.
0w-40 oil is usually used for new modern cars or cars with low mileage. The 0w-40 oil has proven itself in freezing and cold temperatures.
When choosing 0w-40 oil we recommend buying motor oil, which corresponds to API SN, SN+, SP classification.
0w-40 viscosity engine oil is used for new cars that operate in a wide temperature range: severe frost and extreme heat. 0w-40 oil is often used in American and German vehicles as well as VAG vehicles:
- Mercedes-Benz
- BMW
- Audi
- Volkswagen
- SEAT
- Porsche
- Bentley
- Bugatti
What oil specifications are used?
- For European cars, it is recommended to choose 0w-40 oil, which corresponds to ACEA classification (A3/B3/B4/A5/B5).
- For diesel engines with DPF we recommend buying 0w-40 oil which meets ACEA C3, C4, C5 specifications.
Sometimes 0w-40 oil is used for motorcycle engines, When purchasing 0w-40 motorcycle oil pay attention to the JASO approvals. Modern oils should be approved as MA-2, such oil is recommended for sports motorcycles and motorcycle equipment that operates at high loads.
For a car powertrain to work properly it is necessary to provide it with a quality lubricant. The oil not only reduces the wear of friction parts but also cools them. One of the most popular universal (all-season) oil is 0w-40.
What does 0w-40 mean?
0w-40 oils are year-round products. The car owner does not have to waste his time and change the oil for another one. The essential indicator is also the fact that the oil of this group can withstand considerable loads.
The 0w-40 oil is deciphered as follows:
- “0w” – indicates that the lubricant is suitable for all-season use, namely, it can be operated even in winter;
- “40” – this parameter indicates the maximum temperature when using the substance.
In other words, the second part of the marking indicates the viscosity index. The higher this number is, the thicker the grease is. Specialists and experienced drivers often point out two main advantages. Firstly, such greases provide fuel economy, and secondly, the oils are very environmentally friendly. In addition to that, let’s say that it is necessary to choose a suitable oil not only according to the viscosity but also to take into account the existing tolerances and conformities.
0w-40 Motor Oil Best Choice
Best choice
Castrol EDGE 0W-40 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil
Delivers unsurpassed levels of protection across a variety of driving conditions and temperatures. Recommended by world-leading car manufacturers.
- 4,9 Rating
- API SN/CF, ACEA A3, ACEA B3, ACEA B4, A3/B4.
- Mercedes Benz 229. 5 and 229. 3, Porsche A40, VW 505. 00 and 502. 00, Ford WSS-M2C937-A, PSA B71 2296.
Best 0w-40 motor oils on the market:
1.
Mobil 1 FS European Car Formula Full Synthetic Motor Oil 0W-40

Features:
- Rating: 4,9 ∗∗∗∗∗
- API CF, API SN, API SM, API SL, API SJ, ACEA A3/B3, ACEA A3/B4, AAE (STO 003) Group B7
- Porsche A40, VW 502 00, VW 505 00, Nissan Genuine Performances, VW 503 01, FIAT 9.55535-M2.
2.
Liqui Moly Synthoil Energy 0W-40 Motor Oil

Features:
- Rating: 4,8 ∗∗∗∗∗
- ACEA A3, ACEA B4, API SN
- BMW Longlife-01 (bis MJ 2018), Ford WSS-M2C 937-A/MB 229.3/MB 229.5, VW 502 00/VW 505 00, Porsche A40.
3.
RAVENOL SSL 0W-40 Fully Synthetic Motor Oil

Features:
- Rating: 4,8 ∗∗∗∗∗
- API SN, API CF, ACEA A3/B4.
- Volkswagen VW 502 00/VW 505 00, BMW Longlife-01, Mercedes-Benz MB 229.5, and Porsche A40.
4.
Motul 8100 X-MAX 0W40 Oil

Features:
- Rating: 4,9 ∗∗∗∗∗
- ACEA A3/B4, API SN/CF.
- BMW LL-01, FORD WSS M2C 937 A, MB-Approval 229.5, Porsche A40, VW 502 00/505 00.
5.
Valvoline European Vehicle Full Synthetic SAE 0W-40 Motor Oil

Features:
- Rating: 4,3 ∗∗∗∗∗
- ACEA A3/B4, API SN.
- Mercedes-Benz 229.5, VW/AUDI 502 00/505 00, Porsche A40, BMW LL-01, VW/AUDI 505 01, Mercedes-Benz 226.5.
Types of motor oils
The composition of modern motor oils is formed on the principle of adding a certain set of additives to their base (sometimes called base oil). The base oil can be derived from:
- From artificially synthesized organic compounds – in this case, oils are called synthetic.
- A mixture of mineral and synthetic bases – semi-synthetic oils.
Fully synthetic motor oil 0w-40
Fully synthetic oil provides higher viscosity, resistance to oxidation and thermal degradation, and helps fight oil sludge. It helps improve fuel efficiency and can even increase vehicle power by reducing engine drag.
Fully synthetic oil is ideal for vehicles that require maximum performance and high levels of lubrication. If you live in a climate with very cold winters or very hot summers, or if you use your vehicle for towing or hauling cargo, synthetic oil may be the best type of oil for your vehicle. Older engines can also benefit from synthetic oil because it can help prevent the harmful sludge that some older engines are prone to.
Since the cost of synthetic motor oil is higher than regular oil, consult with your technician to see if this oil is right for your car.
0w-40 Synthetic Blended Motor Oil
Synthetic oil has many of the characteristics of fully synthetic oil but at a lower cost. This type of oil consists of a blend of synthetic and conventional base oils with the addition of some additives that provide additional resistance to oxidation and excellent low-temperature properties. Synthetic blends make it easy for drivers to switch from conventional oil to synthetic oil, so this type of oil is becoming increasingly popular among today’s drivers. It’s also a great intermediate option for drivers who want the added protection and performance of synthetic oil but aren’t willing to pay for a full switch to synthetic oil.
Conventional 0w-40 Motor Oil
This oil is great for low-mileage, low- to medium-mileage late-model cars with a simple engine design.
High mileage engine oil 0w-40
High mileage oil is specifically designed for vehicles with over 75,000 miles. This type of oil helps reduce oil consumption, minimize oil leaks and seepage, and reduce smoke and emissions in older engines.
Chemical properties of 0w-40 oil
At its core, SAE 0w-40 is a pure synthetic. Synthetic oil is produced artificially by mixing the base fluid and additives. The creation of this category of motor oil is due to the fact that the operating conditions of an engine sometimes change. When the engine is switched off, it is cooled down, and when it is started, it is heated up.
When driving, the engine operates in different modes. The temperature, the friction rate of the contacting parts, and many other parameters change. Because of this, it has become necessary to produce an oil that has specifications that do not change due to various factors.
At a certain stage of the automotive industry, manufacturers thought about the invariability of lubricant performance and its effective use under any conditions.
It is worth talking separately about the chemical properties of 0w-40 oils. Most often oils are made by adding a package of necessary additives to a synthetic base. Such composition and production technology allow the oil to cope both with frost and heat.
The 0w-40 oil composition makes it possible to effectively prevent overheating, as it has the ability to remove excessive heat. An important advantage of the product is the presence of cleaning additives that prevent the formation of harmful deposits.
Using 0w-40 oil
Optimal use of 0w-40 oil is due to the following indicators:
- Resistance of the composition to external factors, primarily oxygen;
- The minimum content of additives. The basic work is performed exactly by the synthetic basis. Due to this, 0w-40 oil is more effective and the duration of its use is higher;
- Stable operation at high temperatures and high engine speeds;
- Ease of starting in winter;
- Excellent engine cooling – according to the specialists’ estimations 0w-40 reduces the engine heating level twofold;
- The additives used in this oil, prevent the formation of deposits and deposits on the engine nodes and parts;
- The synthetic basis provides a qualitative and stable protective film.
The 0w40 is distinguished from other multigrade oils by its higher SAE viscosity grade, which prevents oxidation processes.
SAE and API classification 0w-40
- Car oils are classified according to two key indicators: the scope of use: gasoline/diesel engine, turbocharged engine; oil viscosity.
- The standards by which lubricants are classified are considered the same for all oils. The most common is the SAE and API classifications.
- The API standard introduces two groups of quality classes, prefixed with S (gasoline engines) and C (diesel).
- The letter after the prefix defines a particular class, assigned to new classes in order of alphabetical order: API SP oil meets more stringent requirements than API SL.
- If a particular oil grade can be used in engines for both types of properties, a double class is specified – for example, API SN / CF.
API classification divides oils into three groups according to their purpose and quality:
- S – for gasoline engines;
- C – for diesel engines;
- EC – universal energy-saving oil.
The other letters indicate the class the grease belongs to. All classes differ from each other:
- API SL – oils for engines in cars manufactured after 2000. For multi-valve, turbocharged, with work on lean mixtures, with increased requirements for energy efficiency and environmental friendliness.
- API SM – oils for engines of cars manufactured after 2004. Ability to be certified according to ILSAC energy-saving category.
- API SN – oils for engines of vehicles manufactured after 2010. Designed for oils used in the most advanced gasoline engines of passenger and sports cars and small vans. Some oils in this category may comply with ILSAC GF-5 specification and qualify as energy-saving.
- API SP – oils for engines of cars manufactured after 2020. Designed for oils used in the most advanced gasoline engines of passenger and sport utility vehicles and small vans. Some oils in this category may comply with the specification ILSAC GF-6.
ILSAC 0w-40 motor oils classification
- GF-4 – oils for engines of cars manufactured after 2004, SAE viscosity grades 0W-20, 5W-20, 0W-30, 5W-30 and 10W-30. The oils are compatible with catalytic exhaust gas recovery systems.
- GF-5 – oils for engines of vehicles manufactured after 2010 meet the quality requirements of API SN classification. Viscosity grades SAE 0W-20, 5W-20, 0W-30, 5W-30. They are characterized by improved energy efficiency, enhanced anti-wear properties, reduced sludge formation in the turbine, a noticeable reduction of carbon deposits in the engine.
- GF-6– oils for engines of cars manufactured after 2020, includes improvements: fuel economy and preservation of fuel economy, preservation of engine life, protection from wear.
Recommended oil brands 0w-40:
- Liqui Moly.
- Castrol.
- Red Line.
- Motul.
- Mobil
- Lucas Oil.
- Amsoil.
- Valvoline.
- Ravenol.
- Royal Purple.
The cost of 0w-40 engine oil:
- Up to $30: synthetic-based 0w-40 oils.
- Up to $50: synthetic 0w-40 oils from popular brands.
- Up to $80: synthetic 0w-40 oils of premium brands.
The reasons for the high popularity of 0W40 oil are explained by its characteristics. The product meets the requirements of many engine manufacturers. Because of its good lubricating characteristics, a considerable saving of fuel resources is achieved. Cleaning from carbon monoxide and a high level of protection significantly reduces the wear and tear of the internal combustion engine.