In hydrodynamic lubrication theory, the oil film thickness build‐up increases with increasing sliding speed or oil viscosity, and the viscous resistance or shear stress also increases, both without limit. The entraining force forming the oil film is given by the moving surfaces, or by the adhesive force of the oil molecules on the rubbing surfaces and the interaction force between them. Therefore, the maximum friction force and maximum oil film thickness will be limited by the operating conditions, such as oil properties, rubbing materials, sliding speed, and load. In this study, friction tests were conducted using a plate‐on‐cylinder sliding contact apparatus. It was found that a critical shear stress existed, above which the friction force and oil thickness decreased from theoretical values. Slip in an oil film seems to occur when the theoretical shear stress exceeds the critical value of the oil, according to test conditions. The occurrence of slip in an oil film is responsible for the reduction in the oil film and friction force from theoretical values, leading to the lower‐viscosity components of the oil selectively passing through the conjunction zone.