SAE Viscosity Classes of Motor Oils according to SAE J300
The bases for this division are the SAE viscosity classes of the Society of Automotive Engineers Inc. New York, for motor and gear oils.
The basic types are summer and winter oils.
Multi-grade oils (e.g. SAE 10W-40) cover the requirements of the low temperature flow behaviour of a W(inter) class (SAE 10W) and have a Viscosity, kinematic
Alternatives: Kinematic viscosity, kin. viscosity
">kinematic viscosity at 100°C that corresponds with an SAE class without additional letters (e.g. SAE 40 = summer).
The higher the difference between the minimum and maximum value of the SAE class, the oil can be used in such a wide range of temperatures.
| Table 1. SAE Viscosity Grades for Engine Oils (from SAE J300) | |||||
| Grade | Cold Cranking (CCS) | Cold Pumping (MRV) | Viscosity, kinematic Alternatives: Kinematic viscosity, kin. viscosity ">Kinematic Viscosity, 100°C |
HTHS, 150°C | |
| unit | (cP @ T°C) | (cP @ T°C) | (cSt) | (cSt) | (cP) |
| - | Maximum | Maximum | Minimum | Maximum | Minimum |
| 0W | 6,200 @ -35 | 60,000 @ -40 | 3.8 | - | - |
| 5W | 6,600 @ -30 | 60,000 @ -35 | 3.8 | - | - |
| 10W | 7,000 @ -25 | 60,000 @ -30 | 4.1 | - | - |
| 15W | 7,000 @ -20 | 60,000 @ -25 | 5.6 | - | - |
| 20W | 9,500 @ -15 | 60,000 @ -20 | 5.6 | - | - |
| 25W | 13,000 @ -10 | 60,000 @ -15 | 9.3 | - | - |
| 20 | - | - | 5.6 | <9.3 | 2.6 |
| 30 | - | - | 9.3 | <12.5 | 2.9 |
| 40 | - | - | 12.5 | <16.3 | 2.9 (0W-40, 5W-40, 10W-40) |
| 40 | - | - | 12.5 | <16.3 | 3.7 (15W-40, 20W-40, 25W-40, 40) |
| 50 | - | - | 16.3 | <21.9 | 3.7 |
| 60 | - | - | 21.9 | <26.1 | 3.7 |