A random copolymer suitable for reducing friction in lubricant compositions is disclosed. The random copolymer can include a short chain acrylate, a long chain acrylate, and a polar acrylate. The random copolymer can have a ratio of short chain acrylate to long chain acrylate of 0 to 2, and a molecular weight number of 1000 to 10000. The disclosure can include a lubricant containing a base oil and the random copolymer. A process for preparing the random copolymer and polymeric friction modifiers is also disclosed.

The present invention relates to the use of comb polymers comprising, in the main chain, repeat units which are derived from polyolefin-based macromonomers, and repeat units which are derived from low molecular weight monomers selected from the group consisting of styrene monomers having 8 to 17 carbon atoms, alkyl (meth)acrylates having 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alcohol group, vinyl esters having 1 to 11 carbon atoms in the acyl group, vinyl ethers having 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alcohol group, (di)alkyl fumarates having 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alcohol group, (di)alkyl maleates having 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alcohol group and mixtures of these monomers, where the molar degree of branching is in the range of 0.1 to 10 mol % and the comb polymer comprises a total of at least 80% by weight, based on the weight of the repeat units, of repeat units which are derived from polyolefin-based macromonomers and repeat units which are derived from low molecular weight monomers selected from the group consisting of styrene monomers having 8 to 17 carbon atoms, alkyl (meth)acrylates having 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alcohol group, vinyl esters having 1 to 11 carbon atoms in the acyl group, vinyl ethers having 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alcohol group, (di)alkyl fumarates having 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alcohol group, (di)alkyl maleates having 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alcohol group and mixtures of these monomers, for reducing the fuel consumption of vehicles.

The present invention relates to the use of comb polymers comprising, in the main chain, repeat units which are derived from polyolefin-based macromonomers, and repeat units which are derived from low molecular weight monomers selected from the group consisting of styrene monomers having 8 to 17 carbon atoms, alkyl (meth)acrylates having 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alcohol group, vinyl esters having 1 to 11 carbon atoms in the acyl group, vinyl ethers having 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alcohol group, (di)alkyl fumarates having 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alcohol group, (di)alkyl maleates having 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alcohol group and mixtures of these monomers, where the molar degree of branching is in the range of 0.1 to 10 mol % and the comb polymer comprises a total of at least 80% by weight, based on the weight of the repeat units, of repeat units which are derived from polyolefin-based macromonomers and repeat units which are derived from low molecular weight monomers selected from the group consisting of styrene monomers having 8 to 17 carbon atoms, alkyl (meth)acrylates having 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alcohol group, vinyl esters having 1 to 11 carbon atoms in the acyl group, vinyl ethers having 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alcohol group, (di)alkyl fumarates having 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alcohol group, (di)alkyl maleates having 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alcohol group and mixtures of these monomers, for reducing the fuel consumption of vehicles.

The present invention provides a poly(meth)acrylate-based viscosity index improver comprising a core portion and three or more arm portions, wherein each of the arm portions consists of a polymer chain comprising a structural unit represented by the following formula (1), and one end of the polymer chain is bonded to the core portion, and wherein a weight-average molecular weight Mw is 100000 or more, and a ratio of the weight-average molecular weight Mw to a number average molecular weight Mn, Mw/Mn, is 1.6 or less. ##STR00001## [R.sup.1 represents hydrogen or a methyl group, and R.sup.2 represents a C1 to C36 alkyl group.]

The present invention provides a poly(meth)acrylate-based viscosity index improver comprising a core portion and three or more arm portions, wherein each of the arm portions consists of a polymer chain comprising a structural unit represented by the following formula (1), and one end of the polymer chain is bonded to the core portion, and wherein a weight-average molecular weight Mw is 100000 or more, and a ratio of the weight-average molecular weight Mw to a number average molecular weight Mn, Mw/Mn, is 1.6 or less. ##STR00001## [R.sup.1 represents hydrogen or a methyl group, and R.sup.2 represents a C1 to C36 alkyl group.]

A lubricating composition includes an oil of lubricating viscosity and an oil-soluble dispersant viscosity modifier. The dispersant viscosity modifier includes an olefin-based polymer backbone and at least one pendent group derived from a functionalized aliphatic amine. Each pendent group is independently attached to the olefin-based polymer backbone. The pendent group is non-ionic, non-basic, and non-acidic and includes a functional group which includes at least one heteroatom other than nitrogen.

A lubricating composition includes an oil of lubricating viscosity and an oil-soluble dispersant viscosity modifier. The dispersant viscosity modifier includes an olefin-based polymer backbone and at least one pendent group derived from a functionalized aliphatic amine. Each pendent group is independently attached to the olefin-based polymer backbone. The pendent group is non-ionic, non-basic, and non-acidic and includes a functional group which includes at least one heteroatom other than nitrogen.

The invention relates to a poly alkyl(meth)acrylate polymer comprising polybutadiene-based monomer units and a process for preparing the same. The invention also relates to the use of said polymer as a viscosity index improver in lubricant formulation and to lubricant compositions comprising said polymer.

The invention relates to a poly alkyl(meth)acrylate polymer comprising polybutadiene-based monomer units and a process for preparing the same. The invention also relates to the use of said polymer as a viscosity index improver in lubricant formulation and to lubricant compositions comprising said polymer.

A lubricating oil composition for automotive transmissions is disclosed. It offers an automotive transmission (especially a fuel-saving type) which satisfies all requirements as regards the properties of resistance to churning, maintenance of the oil film and low-temperature viscosity. It comprises a GTL low viscosity base oil and a Group 1 high viscosity base oil.