Kinematic Viscosity Density

Equivalent
ISO Grade centiStokes 10  reyns (lb s/in )
-6 2
SAE Grade kg/m3 lb/in3
40 C
 o
100 C  o
104 oF 212 oF
32 10W 32 5.4 4 0.6 857 0.031
46 20 46 6.8 5.7 0.8 861 0.0311
68 20W 68 8.7 8.5 1.1 865 0.0313
100 30 100 11.4 12.6 1.4 869 0.0314
150 40 150 15 19 1.8 872 0.0315
220 50 220 19.4 27.7 2.4 875 0.0316
 Guide to SAE Viscosity Grades of Engine Oils for Passenger Cars

Multigrade oils such as SAE 5W-30 and 10W-30 are widely used because, under all
but extremely hot or cold conditions, they are thin enough to flow at low
temperatures and thick enough to perform satisfactorily at high temperatures. Note
that vehicle requirements may vary. Follow your vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations on SAE oil viscosity grade.

If the
lowest
outdoor
Typical SAE Viscosity Grades for Passenger Cars
expected
temperat
ure is

0°C
5W-20, 5W-30, 10W-40, 20W-50
(32°F)

-18°C
5W-20, 5W-30, 10W-40
(0°F)

Below
-18°C 5W-20, 5W-30
(0°F)
 AE Viscosity Grades for Engine Oils (SAE J300) - December 1999

Absolute Viscosity (cP) Kinematic Viscosity (cSt)

Grade
Maximum Cold Maximum Cold
Minimum
Cranking Pumping

0W 6 200 @ -35°C 60 000 @ -40°C 3.8

5W 6 600 @ -30°C 60 000 @ -35°C 3.8

10W 7 000 @ -25°C 60 000 @ -30°C 4.1

15W 7 000 @ -20°C 60 000 @ -25°C 5.6

20W 9 500 @ -15°C 60 000 @ -20°C 5.6

25W 13 000 @ -10°C 60 000 @ -15°C 9.3

20 - - 5.6
30 - - 9.3
40 - - 12.5
40 - - 12.5
50 - - 16.3
60 - - 21.9
Note
(1) - for 0W-40, 5W-40 & 10W-40 oils
(2) - for 15W-40, 20W-40, 25W-40 and SAE40 oils
Oils (SAE J300) - December 1999

Kinematic Viscosity (cSt) HTHS (cP) 150°C

Maximum High-Temperature- High-Shear

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

<9.3 2.6
<12.5 2.9
<16.3 2.9 (1)
<16.3 3.7 (2)
<21.9 3.7
<26.1 3.7
 Engine Oil Temperature

SAE Viscosity -20oF  0oF 20oF 40oF 60oF 80oF

(-29oC) (-17.8oC) (-6.7oC) (4.4oC) (15.6oC) (26.7oC)

20W-20
20W-40
20W-50
10W-30
10W-40
10W
5W-30
5W-20

Note that machine operating temperatures - and lubricant temperatures - does not change
significantly with different ambient temperatures. In most cases operating
temperatures of engines are above the temperatures in the table above
 100oF

(37.8oC)
 Engine Oil Temperature

SAE Viscosity -20oF  0oF 20oF 40oF 60oF 80oF

(-29oC) (-17.8oC) (-6.7oC) (4.4oC) (15.6oC) (26.7oC)

75W
80W
80W-90
85W
90
140
 100oF

(37.8oC)
When comparing multi-grade oils, the lower number
represents the oil’s viscosity at the lowest recommended
temperature, the higher number representing its viscosity at
the upper end of its recommended operating temperature. For
example, 10W-40 is recommended for ambient (outside air)
temperatures of +5 F to +122 F, while 5W-30 works best in
temperatures between -22 F and +86 F. Good old 30W straight
oil is currently only rated for +32 F to +86 F, and even 20W is