Many assume NLGI grade equals thickness like oil viscosity. In fact, it rates consistency, not the base oil’s viscosity. Two greases with the same NLGI can flow very differently in cold starts because the base oil and thickener differ. For Nordic centralized systems, semi‑fluid grades (NLGI 00/0) help avoid starvation. The same idea applies when choosing Lithium Complex EP00 for slow bearings or gearboxes.