Best 5W-30 Oil for Cars and Trucks in 2020

Many well-known motor oil brands produce oils with excellent stability properties. Choosing the best 5W-30 is often quite difficult, as the range is quite wide. Mobil 1, Shell Rotella, and Royal Purple provide synthetic oils that keep an engine as clean as possible.

Valvoline, Castrol, and Pennzoil say that their advanced synthetic oils improve engine performance and virtually reduce engine wear down to zero. 5W-30 oils from different manufacturers are designed for all seasons and perform approximately the same. Their properties and prices are different though.

Let’s take a closer look at 5W-30 oils from famous companies.

List of Top-Rated 5W-30 Oil for Cars and Trucks

Photo	Product	Type	Details
	Valvoline 5W-30 (881164)	Advanced Synthetic	View on Amazon
	Mobil1 5W-30 (120764)	Synthetic	View on Amazon
	Castrol EDGE 5W-30 (03084)	Advanced Synthetic	View on Amazon
	Royal Purple 5W-30 (51530)	Synthetic	View on Amazon
	Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5W-30	Fully Synthetic	View on Amazon
	Liqui Moly 5W-30 (2039)	Fully Synthetic	View on Amazon
	Motul 8100 Eco-nergy 5W-30 (102898)	Synthetic	View on Amazon
	Shell Rotella Gas Truck Full 5W-30	Fully Synthetic	View on Amazon

Reviews of the Best 5W-30 Oil for Cars and Trucks

Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic SAE 5W-30 Motor Oil 5 QT

A distinctive feature of this engine oil is a unique set of additives that maximize engine performance and minimize engine wear at extreme loads. Valvoline Advanced SAE 5W-30 oil is designed specifically to withstand the most severe conditions and heavy engine loads. The oil has been estimated to reduce engine wear by 40% better than other similar oils on the market.

In addition, the oil helps to reduce friction, optimize fuel consumption, and maintain its properties at the widest temperature range. This oil from Valvoline retains a dense structure when heated, perfectly prevents clogging, and removes friction residues. Since it’s fully synthetic, the oil is also compatible with other artificial oils with the same viscosity.

Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic SAE 5W-30 Motor Oil perfectly protects engines with a 75,000 mileage. It gently cleans the engine and allows it to run without much load at low temperatures. On the other hand, it does not lose its viscosity when heated, cooling down the engine and protecting it from overloads. The oil is sold in a 4.73-liter grey Valvoline gallon with an SAE 5W-30 mark.  

Is there the same semi-synthetic oil?

Valvoline SAE 5W-30 is available only in a fully synthetic version, which has a number of advantages, compared to traditional and semi-synthetic counterparts.

Mobil 1 120764 Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-30, 5 Quart

The Mobil 1 120764 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil is a purely synthetic substance that protects your engine from contamination and overheating. The oil effectively eliminates system operation debris and significantly reduces friction. It has antioxidizing properties that prevent the engine from corroding and decay buildup. The oil remains stable both during heat and cold weather. It’s all-season oil for freezing temperatures and moderate summer. It starts the engine at severe frosts down to -22F, which is different from other oils with similar viscosity.

The Mobil 1 oil also helps maintain the correct balance of fuel consumption. It has excellent viscosity and density but does not overload the engine or make it use more fuel when running. In general, this product ensures easy engine operation and prolongs its service life.

This oil by Mobil 1 is recommended for cars that are subjected to heavy loads if you drive with frequent stops or are into towing. The oil excellently protects the engines with turbine systems on gas or gasoline. The oil has a unique packaging, which can be easily distinguished from fakes, namely a grey 4.73-l gallon with a convenient handle and lid.

What is the maximum permissible ambient temperature for this oil?

Almost all 5W-30 oils allow the engine to operate at temperatures up to 68F. For this reason, this oil is suitable for a moderate climate but not for hot summers.

Castrol 03084 EDGE 5W-30 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil, 5 Quart

Castrol’s EDGE 5W-30 is a practical and efficient oil with high stability. The oil allows you to operate the car at a wide temperature range from -13F to 68F and is a multi-season option for cars subjected to heavy loads. Oil density allows to reduce the friction of engine components and quickly remove all micro-particles. In its turn, oil stability allows using the product for a long time, without frequent changes, compared to semi-synthetic and mineralized oils. The advanced additive formula reduces friction and, as a result, the car requires much less fuel even at extreme loads.

The solidification point of the oil is at the minimum mark of -43.6F. At the same time, viscosity indexes at 104F are 70 units, and at -22F – 5800 units. Castrol 03084 EDGE 5W-30 is manufactured using the latest technology and significantly exceeds many industry requirements for viscosity and stability.  

This oil from Castrol has a great price and quality ratio, as well as a number of advanced properties, which carefully maintain the engine throughout the whole working period. The oil is supplied in black 4.73-liter gallons, marked Castrol EDGE SAE 5W-30.

What is the difference between synthetic and biosynthetic Castrol 5W-30?

Biosynthetic oils contain vegetable oil (about a quarter of the whole volume). Using such a product in an engine has its advantages in terms of advanced cleaning properties and eco-friendliness. Purely synthetic oil is very stable, which leads to environmental pollution problems in terms of its full utilization.

Royal Purple 51530 API-Licensed SAE 5W-30 High-Performance Synthetic Motor Oil – 5 qt.

Royal Purple’s oils always have a stable structure. This particular 51530 API-Licensed SAE 5W-30 is highly susceptible to decomposition and can, therefore, be used for a long time. It reduces engine wear by 6 times, compared to conventional engine oils. Fluidity is kept at low temperatures, and at high temperatures the oil does not lose its density, providing the engine with the necessary lubrication. Due to significant friction reduction, less fuel is consumed and, in a year, its efficiency becomes very noticeable.

Royal Purple’s 51530 has increased protection against oxidative processes, which allows the internal environment of the engine to remain clean without any rust buildups. Basically, this greatly extends the service life of even old car engines.

There’s a little chance you will mistake this oil from Royal Purple with any other because it’s always sold in bright purple gallons. Large 4.73-l gallons have an approximate weight of 8 lbs each. One gallon can replace used oil in small cars and top off with other engine oils.

What is the minimum allowable oil life?

The oil can be used for every 8,000 miles, then it has to be replaced. In some cases, it can be changed every 10,000 miles, depending on the condition of the vehicle and engine load.

Pennzoil Ultra Platinum Full Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil (5-Quart, Single Pack)

Pennzoil Ultra Platinum Full Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil is produced using special technology from natural gas and provides complete protection for engines under heavy loads. This oil has a strong antioxidant effect and efficiently removes any deposits in the engine, increasing its performance. With this oil, the engine does not lose horsepower and runs in an optimal mode. Fuel consumption is significantly reduced, as well. According to the manufacturer, the oil helps to save on fuel consumption and adds about 500 miles per year. The density is also quite high, which provides stability and a strong protective layer at any ambient temperature.

Pennzoil’s 5W-30 oil is designed for harsh conditions, cabs, towing, and hauling of heavy loads. It’s used not only in ordinary cars but also in premium sports cars, reducing engine load, fuel consumption, and eliminating deposits. Pennzoil branded engine oil is released in 4.73-l gallons.

What API specifications does this product meet? 

Pennzoil Ultra Platinum Full Synthetic 5W-30 engine oil meets the following API specifications: SN, SM, SL, and SJ.

Liqui Moly 2039 Longtime High Tech 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil – 5 Liter Jug

Liqui Moly is German engine oil, a high-quality synthetic product for various vehicles. The oil is suitable for gas and diesel engines. It perfectly cleans the internal engine environment and eliminates all kinds of dirt. The oil can be used for old engines, as well.

Liqui Moly 2039 Long-time High-Tech 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil has a high density, which is reduced when heated to 212F. The oil best protects the engine at temperatures up to 68F. It’s an all-season oil, which, due to its intensive fluidity, allows to start the engine at severe low temperatures of up to -22F. Due to reduced friction, the oil helps to save on fuel consumption and does not reduce the horsepower of the engine.

The oil from Liqui Molly is produced in Germany. The brand has long established itself as an innovative and technologically advanced manufacturer of quality products for cars. The oil is sold in 5-liter branded blue gallons with a convenient dual handle.  

How often should I change this oil?

Like many other synthetic oils, it’s best to change this Liqui Moly oil every 5000 – 7000 miles. The oil has a long period of stability and increased efficiency, so it protects the engine equally effectively for the entire duration of use.

Motul 102898 8100 Eco-nergy 5W-30 100 Percent Synthetic – 5 Liter

Motul 102898 8100 Eco-nergy 5W-30 100 Percent Synthetic is designed specifically to protect the engine at low temperatures. The oil can be used in any season, providing a safe engine starts at -22F with increased fluidity. The structure of the oil is stable even when heated, protecting the engine during intensive use. The manufacturer recommends using the oil in Ford, Land Rover, Renault, and Jaguar cars. It’s also suitable for motorcycles and other cars that use 5W-30 oils.

Motul specializes in producing high-quality oils for various engines. The quality of products is always at a high level. Motul 102898 is produced according to all industry standards and even exceeds them several times. The high-quality synthetic base with stable additives guarantees engine protection at high loads. 

This engine oil from Motul is a great solution for drivers who carefully monitor their vehicle’s condition. The oil is supplied in black 5-liter gallons. According to 5W-30 standards, the temperature range for this oil is from -13F to 68F. This should be considered when choosing the oil for your car.

What is the viscosity of this Motul oil at 104F?

The viscosity of this oil at 104F is 57.6 units. The total engine oil viscosity index is 163.

Shell Rotella Gas Truck Full Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil for Pickups and SUVs (5-Quart, Single-Pack)

Shell Rotella Gas Truck Full Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil is designed specifically for gas engines. It’s also suitable for passenger cars and pickup trucks. The oil is a versatile product that can be used in any season, as it retains the necessary fluidity in a wide range of temperatures. The Shell Rotella’s Gas Truck oil can withstand heavy loads, high pressures, and extreme temperatures. It has excellent detergent properties and removes all kinds of harmful deposits and dirt particles from the engine.

Shell Rotella 5W-30 is produced in red gallons of 4.73 liters each. It’s high-quality synthetic oil for trucks that run on gas that haul and tow extremely heavy loads. For this reason, this oil is optimal for heavy all-terrain vehicles.  

At what temperature does the oil solidify?

Shell Rotella Gas Truck Full Synthetic 5W-30 Oil solidifies at -43,6F. Many other 5W-30 oils solidify at -32.8F but this oil from Shell Rotella will not let you down in severe cold and heat.

Conclusion

5W-30 oils are versatile products designed for any season with a wide temperature range. Such oils work perfectly at the lowest temperatures, preserving the necessary fluidity. Most branded oils have a curing temperature below -36.4F. Fully synthetic oils with advanced additives are beneficial, as they show greater stability and last much longer. It’s worth choosing oils from well-known manufacturers that always monitor the quality of their production.

Frequently asked question