J300_201501 Engine Oil Viscosity Classification

This revision continues the process of extending the SAE Engine Oil Viscosity Classification system to lower high-temperature high-shear-rate (HTHS) viscosities by adding two new high-temperature viscosity grades – SAE 12 and SAE 8 – to SAE J300 with minimum HTHS viscosities of 2.0 and 1.7 mPa•s respectively. The benefit of establishing new viscosity grades is to provide a framework for formulating lower HTHS engine oils in support of the ongoing quest of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to improve fuel economy.

The 100°C kinematic viscosity (KV100) ranges of the new viscosity grades overlap to provide adequate formulating space for these grades. How to assign a single high-temperature viscosity grade to an engine oil with KV100 in the overlap regions is covered in Section 6 of this document.