This paper presents the results of developing a synergistic methodology for investigating the lubrication process using oils used in internal combustion engines. This was made possible by modifying the research methodology from the T02-U four-ball tester, microscopic examination and the use of hydrodynamic lubrication theory issues. Lubricant properties such as viscosity and density, as well as tribological properties of kinematic nodes operating under dry, hydrodynamic and elastohydrodynamic friction conditions, were used for analysis. As a result of the research, new characteristics of the lubrication process were proposed. The lubrication characteristics represent the change in oil film thickness as a function of the load applied to the node and the change in contact pressure as a function of the Hersey number. With the introduction of the new test techniques, the effect of deformation on the test results was eliminated. For the oils tested, the transition from elasto- to hydrodynamic occurs at similar oil film pressures. The transition data can then be used as a criterion for evaluating the properties of the oils. The proposed method is utilitarian in that it can be successfully used to analyse the lubrication process of rolling and sliding bearings.