what is lubricating oil

Lubricating oil, also known as lubricant or lube, is a substance used to reduce friction, heat, and wear between mechanical components that are in contact with each other. It is used in motorized vehicles, where it is known specifically as motor oil and transmission fluid. Lubricating oils may be either mineral-based or synthetic, with mineral oils being the most commonly used type due to their low cost of extraction from crude oil. Synthetic oils are manufactured and can be blended with mineral oils to achieve varying viscosities, making them useful in a wide range of applications. Lubricants are generally composed of a majority of base oil plus a variety of additives to impart desirable characteristics, such as reduced friction and wear, increased viscosity, improved viscosity index, resistance to corrosion and oxidation, aging or contamination, etc. . The primary functions of a lubricant are to separate surfaces or protect them in a manner that reduces friction, heat, wear, and energy consumption.