AbstractThree commercially available hydraulic/transmission lubricants based on rapeseed oil have been investigated for their lubricating properties. The coefficient of friction, scuffing‐load capacity, and pitting resistance were evaluated, and the results compared with a corresponding commercial mineral‐based oil.The results showed in general a substantially lower coefficient of friction and better pitting resistance for rapeseed‐based oils than for the mineral oil. Scuffing load capacity was, with one exception, the same for all oils. As a result of lower shear stresses during contact, and a higher viscosity index, the temperatures in the gearbox were lower for the rapeseed oils tested than for the mineral oil. Insufficient antiwear behaviour at high loads was found to be a major drawback of these vegetable