ADDITIVE PACKAGE AND LUBRICATING OIL COMPOSITION

An additive package is disclosed for preparing an automotive crankcase lubricating oil composition for an internal combustion engine. The additive package is made by admixing: (i) 50 mass% or less of an oil of lubricating viscosity; (ii) 50 mass% or less of at least one overbased metal detergent, preferably at least one overbased metal hydroxybenzoate detergent,; (iii) 50 mass% or less of an oil-soluble block or graft co-polymer of at least one polymeric block A which is derived from a hydroxycarboxylic acid and at least one polyalkylene block B which is a residue of a polyalkylene glycol, and (iv) optionally, at least one further additive selected from a dispersant, an antioxidant and/or an antiwear agent. The additive package includes less than 2.00 mass %, preferably less than 1.50 mass %, of a friction modifier which is a monoester of a C 5 to C 30 carboxylic acid and which is free of nitrogen. Component (ii) is preferably an overbased metal hydroxybenzoate detergent. Component (iii) acts as a friction modifier and can be used as a replacement for a friction modifier such as glycerol monooleate. The additive package exhibits improved stability.