Havoline MAX 4T SAE 10W-30 vs. SAE 20W-50: Which One Is Right for Your Bike?

Besides the brand, the one critical aspect of a motorcycle engine oil which shouldn’t be overlooked at any cost is its viscosity grade. While the usual layman doesn’t care much about an engine oil’s viscosity grade, it actually holds much more significance, for it determines the suitability of the engine oil to a motorcycle’s engine, besides its lubrication and thermal properties. That’s where Caltex has played its game well by strategically addressing the varying requirements with its Havoline MAX 4T brand of motorcycle engine oils.

Available in a range of viscosity grades, Havoline MAX 4T engine oil has gained significant popularity and acceptance in two of its formulations: SAE 10W-30 and SAE 20W-50. Formulated using advanced base oils and additives, Havoline MAX 4T, available in both SAE 10W-30 and SAE 20W-50 viscosity grades, claims excellent oxidation resistance, film strength, and shear stability in respective climatic and operating conditions.

Here, we will compare the SAE 10W-30 and SAE 20W-50 engine oil grades of Havoline MAX 4T and let you know which one should be your pick, based on their advantages and use case scenarios.

Quick Comparison: SAE 10W-30 vs. SAE 20W-50

Both SAE 10W-30 and SAE 20W-50 engine oil grades from Havoline MAX 4T are formulated to extract the best possible performance from modern motorcycle engines. However, the differences in their SAE viscosity grades result in significant variations in their flow and lubrication properties. The following are the aspects where these two engine oil grades differ from each other:

Suitability

The SAE 10W-30 engine oil is best suited for low-speed daily commutes and motorcycle engines that have tighter clearances and claim high fuel efficiency figures. On the other hand, the SAE 20W-50 engine oil, with its thicker lubricating film, is preferable for older motorcycles or engines with wider clearances, which are better suited for heavy-duty, long rides in extremely hot climatic conditions.

Viscosity

The SAE 10W-30 engine oil flows more easily due to its lower viscosity, ensuring optimal and faster oil circulation and reduced hydrodynamic frictional losses, even in low-temperature conditions. Compared to that, the SAE 20W-50 engine oil has a thicker flow rate and a more robust film, which results in higher internal drag, making it more suitable for high-load and high-temperature operating conditions.

Performance in Cold Starts

Among both SAE 10W-30 and SAE 20W-50 engine oils, the SAE 10W-30 offers excellent lubrication during cold starting conditions, as it flows more easily. The lower W grade of 10W-30 gives it an edge in cold cranking performance, as the oil pumps circulate the engine oil more quickly at reduced temperatures – the operating zone where the probability of engine wear is higher.

Heat Protection

While SAE 10W-30 engine oil is adequate for riding in normal temperature conditions, the SAE 20W-50 offers superior performance and resistance to thinning under extreme heat. If an engine operates for longer durations under high loads or high temperatures, the thinner flow rate of SAE 10W-30 oil is insufficient to maintain its stability limit. That’s where the SAE 20W-50 oil maintains film strength more effectively, reducing the likelihood of oil thinning and providing excellent resistance to breakdown.

Fuel Efficiency

Due to its thicker flow rate, the SAE 20W-50 engine oil suffers from slightly more drag, which requires more pumping and increases fuel consumption. On the other hand, the SAE 10W-30 has less drag inside the engine due to its thinner viscosity, making it more suitable for fuel-efficiency-oriented motorcycles.

Understanding Viscosity Grades: What Do SAE 10W-30 and SAE 20W-50 Mean?

As is evident, the differences in the alphanumerical representation of these two engine oil grades – SAE 10W-30 and SAE 20W-50 – are primarily about the viscosity of these engine oils in different operating conditions and temperatures.

The first number with ‘W’ – 10 in 10W-30 and 20 in 20W-50 – denotes the engine oil’s ability to flow at lower temperatures. The lower the number, the thinner the oil flow at lower temperatures. It indicates that the SAE 10W-30 has better flowing properties at colder temperatures than the SAE 20W-50, making the former more recommendable for cold-starting conditions or riding in colder regions.

The second number following ‘W’ – 30 in 10W-30 and 50 in 20W-50 – represents the engine oil’s viscosity at higher temperatures. The higher this number, the thicker the oil flow will be when the engine is running at high temperatures. Among these two engine oil grades, since SAE 20W-50 has a higher preceding number than SAE 10W-30, it offers better heat resistance at higher operating temperatures and heavy loads. Since SAE 10W-30 is thinner, it will deliver better fuel efficiency in such conditions.

When to Use SAE 10W-30: Benefits and Ideal Conditions

The following are the benefits of the Havoline MAX 4T SAE 10W-30 engine oil grade, along with the conditions in which it is more recommended for use:

Benefits:

• As it runs thinner, it flows much more easily and consistently at colder temperatures, thus significantly reducing cold-starting problems.
• Due to its lower resistance to flow within the engine, SAE 10W-30 engine oil reduces friction between components, thereby enhancing fuel efficiency.
• Since the engines don’t reach extreme temperatures in typical use case scenarios with SAE 10W-30 engine oil, it is more than enough for smooth riding in usual stop-and-go city traffic.
• With these benefits, the SAE 10W-30 engine oil grade is best suited for small to mid-capacity motorcycles (100cc-200cc) used in daily short-distance commuting and cold and moderate climates.

When to Use SAE 20W-50: Benefits and Ideal Conditions

Compared to SAE 10W-30, the  SAE 20W-50 has a different set of benefits and use-case scenarios, all of which are as follows:

Benefits:

• The higher viscosity grade of SAE 20W-50 helps maintain oil film thickness even at higher temperatures, providing superior wear protection properties.
• Since thicker oils are effective in closing seal gaps and eventually preventing oil leakages, they are a more suitable option for older-generation motorcycles or those with high mileage.
• The thicker viscosity of SAE 20W-50 also makes it more efficient in providing extra cushioning for engine components that operate under higher stress, ultimately improving the engine's durability.
• Due to these advantages, the thicker SAE 20W-50 oils prove to be more effective and efficient in regions with hotter climates, high-load or long-distance riding journeys, more powerful mid-capacity and larger-displacement motorcycles (350cc and above), and older motorcycles.

Havoline MAX 4T: What Makes It Unique

Available in both SAE 10W-30 and SAE 20W-50 engine oil grades, the Havoline MAX 4T is one of the most advanced motorcycle engine oils one can place their bet on for the betterment of their motorcycle’s performance and durability. The following are some of the highlights of Havoline MAX 4T, which give it its superior performance in varying conditions:

High-Performance Standards

The Havoline MAX 4T meets reputable industry standards, including API SN and JASO MA2. The API SN certification makes it highly resistant to rapid oxidation and deposit formation, giving it long-lasting protection qualities. At the same time, meeting JASO MA2 standards enables this Havoline engine oil to deliver excellent power transmission and superior clutch performance.

Advanced Additive Technology

The technologically advanced additives used in Havoline MAX 4T include detergents and dispersants, which contain neutralising acids that prevent sludge deposits on engine components. While the anti-wear agents, such as phosphorus-based ZDDP, form a protective layer over high-load components for superior protection, the corrosion inhibitors in this oil protect the same components from rust formation. This Havoline oil also features friction modifiers to reduce internal frictional losses and antioxidants for enhanced oxidation stability.

Compatibility with Various Engines

The advanced base oils and additives used in Havoline MAX 4T also make it compatible with both air-cooled and liquid-cooled motorcycle engines of varying sizes and capacities. This Havoline engine oil is also suitable for both wet and dry clutches, making it more versatile.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Oil for Long-Term Performance

Besides complying with the manufacturer’s recommendations to meet warranty requirements, using the correct engine oil grade for your motorcycle engine will ultimately improve all its aspects in the long run. Both SAE 10W-30 and SAE 20W-50, with their varying benefits, are suitable for different types of operating conditions for motorcycles. Still, it’s up to your usage conditions and the manufacturer’s recommendations that decide which one of these two engine oil grades you should opt for.

FAQs

Which is better for bike oil: SAE 10W-30 or SAE 20W-50?

Both SAE 10W-30 and SAE 20W-50 engine oils are best in their own ways. The SAE 10W-30 engine oils are more suitable for small to mid-capacity motorcycles (100cc-200cc) used in daily short-distance commuting and cold and moderate climates. On the other hand, SAE 20W-50 oils are more effective in regions with hotter temperatures and high-load or long-distance riding journeys, particularly for more powerful mid-capacity and larger-displacement motorcycles (350cc and above), as well as older motorcycles.

Is Havoline engine oil good for motorcycles?

With its advanced additives, compliance with SN and JASO MA2 certifications and compatibility with all types and sizes of air-cooled and liquid-cooled motorcycle engines, the Havoline MAX 4T offers a variety of benefits for motorcycles.

What does 4T mean in bike oil?

The term ‘4T’ in the terminology of engine oils indicate that it is compliant with four-stroke motorcycle engines.