The present invention provides a lubricating oil composition comprising at least 80% by weight, based on the total weight of the lubricating oil composition, of a
base oil wherein the
base oil is selected from the group consisting of
Group II base oils, Group III base oils, and Fischer-Tropsch derived base oils, and mixtures thereof; one or more additives, other than
citric acid, selected from the group consisting of antiwear additives,
rust inhibitors and
corrosion inhibitors, dispersants, extreme pressure additives, friction modifiers,
viscosity index improvers,
pour point depressants, antioxidants; and one or more of
citric acid and derivatives thereof. The invention also provides the use of an additive selected from one or more of
citric acid and derivatives thereof in a lubricating oil composition comprising at least 80% by weight, based on the total weight of the lubricating oil composition, of a
base oil for improving the air release properties of said lubricating oil composition as measured by ASTM D3427, wherein the base oil is selected from the group consisting of
Group II base oils, Group III base oils and Fischer-Tropsch derived base oils and mixtures thereof; and one or more additives, other than citric acid, selected from the group consisting of antiwear additives,
rust inhibitors and
corrosion inhibitors, dispersants, extreme pressure additives, friction modifiers,
viscosity index improvers,
pour point depressants, antioxidants.