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Will thicker oil stop oil burning?

Author

Daniel Johnson

Updated on August 20, 2026

Unfortunately, the thicker engine oil will not stop your car from burning oil. This solution has been brought up often, with the idea being that a more viscous oil will not flow as easily and have a more challenging time getting past worn-out valve guides.

Will thicker oil help with burning oil?

A lot of oil-burning takes place because an engine's piston rings are worn out, and thicker oil won't fix that. Using thicker oil is also a particularly bad solution for modern cars.

How do I stop my oil from burning?

How to Stop a Car From Burning Oil

  1. Inspect the valve cover(s)--there may be one or two--on the engine for oil leaks. ...
  2. Check the tightness of the valve cover bolts. ...
  3. Remove the valve cover by loosening the bolts. ...
  4. Drain the engine oil in the car that's burning oil. ...
  5. Add STP Smoke Treatment to the car during every oil change.

Does thicker oil burn faster?

Will Thicker Oil Reduce Oil Consumption? It is possible to reduce oil consumption by using a motor oil with a higher viscosity, which fills the gap between the rings and cylinder walls.

Is there an additive to stop oil burning?

Lucas High Mileage Oil Stabilizer helps to control blow-by, dry starts and oil burning - maximizing efficiency, reducing harmful emissions and extending oil life. Lucas High Mileage Oil Stabilizer can also be used as an IDEAL ASSEMBLY LUBE.

41 related questions found

What's the best oil for a car that burns oil?

What Oil Should I Use If My Car Is Burning Oil? The 05W-30 Synthetic High Mileage Oil is one of the best oils to use. Synthetic motor oil with 10W-30 capacity. This synthetic blend is 05W-20.

Can I put 10w40 instead of 5w30?

Your vehicle does not use 5W-30 oil. The recommended oil viscosity for your vehicle, according to Kia documentation, is 10W-40. If you drive the vehicle in exceptionally cold weather, well below 32 degrees, you can use 5W-30 oil but even 10W-40 is still perfectly OK to use if outdoor temperatures are below freezing.

What happens if I use 20w50 instead of 5w30?

A 5W-30 oil is commonly used in passenger cars for normal use throughout the year. A 20W-50 oil will not protect a car as well in a cold winter and its greater viscosity will increase drag and friction in a passenger vehicle.

Can I use 10w40 instead of 10w30?

The 10w30 and 10w40 oil options are both acceptable for your car, but if you have a high mileage car, you should use the 10w40 oil. Viscous 10w40 is more viscous than viscous 10w30. Older engines are able to handle higher temperatures and wear and tear more efficiently with thicker oil.

Why is my engine burning so much oil?

Burning oil is often the result of worn out parts. For example, worn valve seals and/or piston rings could lead to your car burning oil. Both valve seals and piston rings work to keep engine oil out of the combustion chamber.

Is it bad to drive a car that burns oil?

Is Driving With Burnt Oil Bad? Oil can leak into your car's combustion chamber if it is ignored, and it can cause major damage. The most common cause of burning oil is worn valve stems, guides, and seals, which can allow oil to enter.

Is it normal for my car to burn oil?

An engine could actually burn as much as a quart of oil or more between oil changes and be considered “normal”. That said, if your car is relatively new, say under 50K miles or so, it should not use more than a quart of oil between oil changes as a rule of thumb. If it does, you should have it checked out.

Should I use thicker oil in an older engine?

Older engines use more oil, but it gives them a better fuel economy. Older engines with more than 75,000 miles on them require a thicker oil that will lubricate their critical engine parts and prevent oil leaks, sludge, and deposits from forming.

What's thicker than 10W30?

10W40 oil has a higher viscosity, retaining more thickness than 10W30 as the temperature rises. In that case, 10W-40 motor oil would technically provide better protection against engine wear contact in higher temperatures.

Is 10w40 thicker than 20w50?

10w40 oil is a popular all-purpose oil designed in many different engines. 20w50 (also known as 10w30) is another popular all-purpose oil used in engines. The differences between 10w40 and 20w50 are small, but they have something in common: They are thicker than regular 20w50 oil.

Is 20w50 thicker than 10W30?

It really comes down to personal preference. As your engine does put out significant horsepower, we would lean toward using 20W-50. If your engine sees very light duty or is built exceptionally tight, 10W-30 would be fine. But again, if you twisted our arm, we would give 20W-50 the nod for the thicker viscosity.

Will 20w50 hurt my engine?

Is 20W-50 Oil Bad For My Engine? 20W-50 is not a very popular oil viscosity. In the wrong engine, it can lead to sludge, excess friction, varnish deposits, problems with oil burning and oil pressure, and even affect your engine life.

Is 20W-50 too thick?

20W-50 Motor Oil

It is highly recommended for older vehicles. The oil's density helps protect aging engine parts and helps prevent leaks that are common with older cars. It is important to note that 20W-50 oil may be too thick for many newer passenger cars and can cause serious engine damage.

What vehicle uses 20w50 oil?

Suitable Vehicles

Depending on the recommendations for the particular vehicle, 20W50 oil is suitable for large or small diesel engines, gasoline engines, motorcycles and aviation vehicles. It is also suitable for both air- and liquid-cooled engines.

Will thicker oil damage my engine?

Using oil that is thicker than recommended may lead to a decrease in fuel economy, a higher load on your engine, and even a shorter life for your engine. Conversely, using thinner, lighter-weight oil than recommended can cause excessive wear and shorter life.

When should I use thicker oil?

The use of thinner oils allows new engine parts to be lubricated more quickly. The oil in older, high-mileage engines, on the other hand, is thicker to prevent friction and oil loss.

Does 10w30 hurt 5w30 engine?

Synthetic oils will mix perfectly, as long as they have the same chemical composition. As a result, mixing 10w30 and 5w30 is not a problem since one will be topping up. It is not harmful to mix engine oils because 5w30 and 10w30 engine oils have close viscosity, so mixing them is not harmful.

Will thicker oil stop Blue smoke?

Will Thicker Oil Help Blue Smoke? Oil and blue smoke are indicators of excessive wear on the engine's piston and ring. By using this extra thick formula, oil is prevented from leaking past piston rings and valve guides, reducing oil burning and exhaust smoke.

Does synthetic oil stop oil burning?

Does Synthetic Oil Burn Clear? Due to synthetics' lower volatility and more stable nature, they will reduce burning, but they can still burn. It is not a good idea to use an expensive oil if your piston rings or other parts are worn excessively.

How much oil should a car burn between oil changes?

Losing too much oil can lead to serious engine damage and expensive repairs, especially among older cars with 100,000 miles or more on the odometer. However, vehicles with fewer than 50,000 miles should typically use no more than a quart of extra oil between changes.