SAE Viscosity Grades for Engine Oils
SAE J300 Dec’99 The actual viscosity grade of a lubricant is determined by the Society of Automotive Engineers, for example SAE-15W40 for a multigrade oil and SAE-40 for a monograde oil. The first number (15W) refers to the viscosity grade at low temperatures (W from winter), whereas the second number (40) refers to the viscosity grade at high temperature.
| SAE | Low Temperature Viscosities | High-Temperature Viscosities | |||
| Viscosity Grade |
Cranking2 (mPa.s) max at temp °C |
Pumping3 (mPa.s) max at temp °C |
Kinematic4 (mm2/s) at 100°C |
High Shear5 Rate (mPa.s) at 150°C, 10/s |
|
| min | max | min | |||
| 0W | 6200 at -35 | 60 000 at -40 | 3.8 | – | – |
| 5W | 6600 at -30 | 60 000 at -35 | 3.8 | – | – |
| 10W | 7000 at -25 | 60 000 at -30 | 4.1 | – | – |
| 15W | 7000 at -20 | 60 000 at -25 | 5.6 | – | – |
| 20W | 9500 at -15 | 60 000 at -20 | 5.6 | – | – |
| 25W | 13 000 at -10 | 60 000 at -15 | 9.3 | – | – |
| 20 | – | – | 5.6 | <9.3 | 2.6 |
| 30 | – | – | 9.3 | <12.5 | 2.9 |
| 40 | – | – | 12.5 | <16.3 | 2.96 |
| 40 | – | – | 12.5 | <16.3 | 3.77 |
| 50 | – | – | 16.3 | <21.9 | 3.7 |
| 60 | – | – | 21.9 | <26.1 | 3.7 |
- All values are critical specifications as defined by ASTM D3244
- ASTM D5293
- ASTM D4684. Note that the presence of any yield stress detectable by this method constitutes a failure regardless of viscosity.
- ASTM D445
- ASTM D4683, CEC L-36-A-90 (ASTM D 4741) or ASTM DS481
- 0W-40, 5W-40 & 10W-40 grades
- 15W-40, 20W-40, 25W-40 & 40 grades