SAE Viscosity Grades For Engine Oils⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾

SAE
Viscosity Grade

Low Temperature (°C) Cranking Viscosity⁽³⁾, mPa-s
Max

Low Temperature (°C) Pumping
Viscosity⁽⁴⁾, mPa-s
Max with
No Yield Stress⁽⁴⁾

Low-Shear-Rate
Kinematic Viscosity⁽⁵⁾(mm2/s) at 100°C
Min

Low-Shear-Rate
Kinematic Viscosity⁽⁵⁾(mm2/s) at 100°C
Max

High-Shear-Rate
Viscosity⁽⁶⁾ (mPa-s)
at 150°C
Min

0W

6200 at -35

60000 at -40

3.8

-

-

5W

6600 at -30

60000 at -35

3.8

-

-

10W

7000 at -25

60000 at -30

4.1

-

-

15W

7000 at -20

60000 at -25

5.6

-

-

20W

9500 at -15

60000 at -20

5.6

-

-

25W

13000 at -10

60000 at -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 grades)

40

-

-

12.5

< 16.3

3.7 (15W-40, 20W-40, 25W-40, 40 grades)

50

-

-

16.3

< 21.9

3.7

60

-

-

21.9

< 26.1

3.7

⁽¹⁾ Notes-1cP = 1mPa-s; 1 cSt = 1mm²/S
⁽²⁾ All values are critical specifications as defined by ASTM D3244 (see text, Section 3).
⁽³⁾ ASTM D5293
⁽⁴⁾ ASTM D4684: Note that the presence of any yield stress detectable by this method constitutes a failure regardless of viscosity.
⁽⁵⁾ ASTM D445
⁽⁶⁾ ASTM D4683, CEC L-36-A-90 (ASTM D4741) or D5481

Reprinted with persmission form SAE J300© 2004 Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc.