Patent ID: 8586519

Claim:
A multi-grade engine oil formulation comprising: a) a base oil component, said base oil component accounting for at least about 40 wt. % to at most about 80 wt. % of said formulation; b) an additive component comprising a viscosity index improver, said additive component collectively accounting for at most about 35 wt % of said formulation; and c) a diester component, distinct from the additive component, comprising a quantity of at least one vicinal diester species, where at least a majority fraction of the vicinal diester component is bio-derived, and wherein the vicinal diester species has the following structure: wherein R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from C 5 to C 17 hydrocarbon groups; and R 3 and R 4 are independently selected from C 2 to C 17 hydrocarbon groups, wherein said at least one diester species accounting for at least about 50 wt of said diester component, and wherein said formulation has a kinematic viscosity of between at least about 3 mm 2 /s at 100° C., and a pour point of less than about −20° C.