Originally Posted By: Phishin
This is what I found most interesting:
In benchmarking trials, Mann's development team has has seen some oils “surprisingly deficient” in this respect, a situation suggesting imperfectly matched additive combinations. They believe this causes different additives to ‘fight’ each other for grip on the metal surfaces at certain temperatures. It is also why aftermarket additives should under no circumstances whatever be mixed with a balanced formulation, Mann said.
The topic was friction reduction. Friction reduction doesn't necessarily equate to wear reduction.
And yes, additives have to balanced so they do not act antagonistically but rather synergistically.