Automotive Lubricants | Viscosity of Automotive Driveline Lubricants According to SAE J306

Kinematic viscosity at 100 °C is one of the two specification parameters automotive driveline lubricants according to SAE J306. Anton Paar’s SVM viscometer series offer the perfect solution for fast, reliable and standard-compliant measurements providing more than just viscosity results.

The viscosity of gear oils is a critical specification parameter. It is defined by one globally accepted standard, the Automotive Driveline Lubricant Viscosity Classification SAE J306, published by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) in the USA. SAE J306 reflects only the flow behavior of the lubricant used for automotive gear, axle and manual transmissions, no other parameters.
Oil manufacturers need to fulfill the specifications of SAE J306, so that users can rely on the numbers given on the label of the oil can.
Due to gear and oil development, new viscosity grades are added regularly to cover the requirements of all types of automotive gear, independent of type and age. A further reason is improvement of fuel efficiency as well as reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

SAE J306 includes following viscosity tests:

  • High temperature kinematic viscosity at 100 °C. Reflects the hydrodynamic lubrication properties at operating temperatures around 100 °C. ASTM D7042.
  • Viscosity shear stability test. The oil needs to fulfill the viscosity limit for 100 °C also after testing according to CEC L-45-A-99, Method C.
  • Low-temperature flow viscosity Maximum viscosity at specified temperatures, depending on the oil grade (150 000-cP-test). ASTM D2983.

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