Engineering ToolBox - Resources, Tools and Basic Information for Engineering and Design of Technical Applications!

Engine & Gear Oil - Recommended Viscosity vs. Outside Temperature

Oil viscosity vs. temperature.

Sponsored Links

All lubricants have practical limits when it comes to operating temperatures.

  • Lower temperatures and increased viscosity may restrict lubrication - causing metal to metal contact and damage to the machines
  • Higher temperatures and reduced viscosity may limit lubrication film thickness - causing metal to metal contact and damage to the machines

engine oil

For most machines - like car engines -  the critical point of operation is at startup before reaching operating temperatures. In cold weather lubricants with adequate viscosities at start up temperature are required.

Engine Oil

The table below indicates appropriate engine oil viscosity vs. outside (start up) temperatures. 

Engine Oil
SAE Viscosity
Temperature
-20oF
(-29oC)
0oF
(-17.8oC)
20oF
(-6.7oC)
40oF
(4.4oC)
60oF
(15.6oC)
80oF
(26.7oC)
100oF
(37.8oC)
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.

Gear Oil

The table below indicates recommended gear oil viscosity vs. outside (start up) temperatures. 

Engine Oil
SAE Viscosity
Temperature
-20oF
(-29oC)
0oF
(-17.8oC)
20oF
(-6.7oC)
40oF
(4.4oC)
60oF
(15.6oC)
80oF
(26.7oC)
100oF
(37.8oC)
75W              
80W              
80W-90              
85W              
90              
140              

Note that the tables above indicates average data. For specific information - check manufacturing data. 

Sponsored Links

Related Topics

Related Documents

Sponsored Links

Engineering ToolBox - SketchUp Extension - Online 3D modeling!

3D Engineering ToolBox Extension to SketchUp - add parametric components to your SketchUp model

Add standard and customized parametric components - like flange beams, lumbers, piping, stairs and more - to your Sketchup model with the Engineering ToolBox - SketchUp Extension - enabled for use with the amazing, fun and free SketchUp Make and SketchUp Pro .Add the Engineering ToolBox extension to your SketchUp from the SketchUp Pro Sketchup Extension Warehouse!

Translate
About the Engineering ToolBox!

Privacy

We don't collect information from our users. Only emails and answers are saved in our archive. Cookies are only used in the browser to improve user experience.

Some of our calculators and applications let you save application data to your local computer. These applications will - due to browser restrictions - send data between your browser and our server. We don't save this data.

Google use cookies for serving our ads and handling visitor statistics. Please read Google Privacy & Terms for more information about how you can control adserving and the information collected.

AddThis use cookies for handling links to social media. Please read AddThis Privacy for more information.

Citation

This page can be cited as

  • Engineering ToolBox, (2009). Engine & Gear Oil - Recommended Viscosity vs. Outside Temperature. [online] Available at: https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/engine-gear-oil-viscosity-temperature-limits-d_1545.html [Accessed Day Mo. Year].

Modify access date.

. .

close

3D Engineering ToolBox - draw and model technical applications! 2D Engineering ToolBox - create and share online diagram drawing templates! Engineering ToolBox Apps - mobile online and offline engineering applications!

Scientific Online Calculator

Scientific Calculator

3 30

Sponsored Links
.