SAE International – Technical standard setter for engine oil and mobility
SAE International (Society of Automotive Engineers) is a globally recognized organization based in the USA that develops technical standards and classifications for the automotive, aviation and mobility industries. The SAE is particularly well known for its viscosity classifications for engine oils and gear oils, e.g. SAE 5W-30 or SAE 75W-90, which are recognized worldwide as a reference.
Why does SAE International play a key role in the lubricants sector?
SAE standards ensure comparability and safety: whether engine oil or gear oil – the SAE classification makes it possible to understand worldwide how fluid or viscous an oil is at certain temperatures. For manufacturers, workshops and end users, this creates reliability when selecting oil.
BASINOL lubricants are based on the current SAE classifications and meet all the associated requirements for viscosity behavior and temperature stability.
What exactly does the SAE classification mean for engine oils?
The SAE indicates how the viscosity of an oil behaves in cold and warm conditions.
Example:
– 5W stands for the cold behavior (the smaller the number, the better the oil flows in cold conditions)
– 30 stands for the viscosity at 100 °C (operating temperature)
These values help you to choose the right oil for your vehicle and your ambient temperatures.
What SAE standards apply to transmission oils?
Transmission oils have their own SAE scheme (e.g. SAE 75W-90) with similar logic but different viscosity ratings. A 75W-90 transmission oil is not identical to a 10W-40 engine oil – as the test methods and requirements are different. SAE ensures that a globally standardized classification is also guaranteed here.
Is SAE a testing organization or a standard setter?
SAE develops technical standards, but does not carry out product certifications itself. Instead, SAE standards serve manufacturers, laboratories and testing institutes as a technical basis for classification, tests and approvals. In combination with specifications from API, ACEA or OEMs, this provides a complete picture of the performance of an oil.
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