Lubricating oil compositions with engine wear protection

A method for improving wear control, while maintaining or improving fuel efficiency, in an engine or other mechanical component lubricated with a lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil, said formulated oil having a composition comprising a lubricating oil base stock as a major component;

• and a mixture as a minor component of (i) at least one metal salt of a straight chain carboxylic acid, wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), gold (Au), zinc (Zn), and combinations thereof, and (ii) at least one metal salicylate salt, wherein the metal is calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) or combinations thereof, wherein the molar ratio of the total metal concentration from the salicylate salt divided by the total metal concentration from the straight chain carboxylic acid ranges from 0.1 to 40;
• and wherein wear control is improved and fuel efficiency is maintained or improved as compared to wear control and fuel efficiency achieved using a lubricating oil containing a minor component other than the mixture of the at least one metal salt of a straight chain carboxylic acid and the at least one metal salicylate salt.