A lubricant must satisfy all of the following seven functions:

1. Minimize Friction
Lubricants reduce contact between components, minimizing friction and wear.

2. Clean
Lubricants maintain internal cleanliness by suspending contaminants within the fluid or by preventing the contaminants from adhering to components. Base oils possess a varying degree of solvency that assists in maintaining internal cleanliness. Solvency is the ability of a fluid to dissolve a solid, liquid or gas. While the solvency of the oil is important, detergents and dispersants play a key roll. Detergents are additives that prevent contaminants from adhering to components, especially hot components such as pistons or piston rings. Dispersants act as a solvent, helping the oil maintain cleanliness and prevent sludge formation.

3. Cool
Reducing friction minimizes heat in moving parts, which lowers the overall operating temperature of the equipment. Lubricants also absorb heat from contact surface areas and transport it to a location to be safely dispersed, such as the oil sump. Heat transfer ability tends to be a trait of the base oil’s thickness – lighter oils tend to transfer heat more readily.

4. Seal
Lubricants act as a dynamic seal in locations like piston rings and cylinder contact areas to prevent contamination.

5. Dampen Shock
A lubricant can cushion the blow of mechanical shock. A highly functional lubricant film can resist rupture and absorb and disperse these energy spikes over a broad contact area. As the mechanical shock to components is dampened, wear and damaging forces are minimized, extending the component's overall operating life.

6. Protect
A lubricant must have the ability to prevent or minimize internal component corrosion. Lubricants accomplish this either by chemically neutralizing corrosive products or by setting up a barrier between the components and the corrosive material.

7. Transfer Energy
Because lubricants are incompressible, they can act as an energy transfer medium, such as in hydraulic equipment or valve lifters in an automotive engine.