Machine lubricant additive distribution systems and methods

A method of dispensing additive material to a lubricant of a machine comprising:

• storing a plurality of additive material sections within a cartridge;
• detecting at least one lubricant attribute;
• operating an additive material release mechanism in response to the at least one lubricant attribute exceeding a threshold;
• and
• ejecting from the cartridge, a next one of the plurality of additive material sections into a lubrication circulation area.

An engine for a vehicle comprising:

• at least one combustion cylinder within a cylinder block;
• a reciprocating piston arranged to cycle within each of the combustion cylinders to generate an engine torque;
• a lubrication system arranged to circulate a lubricant about components of the cylinder block;
• a cartridge in fluid flow communication with the lubrication system and configured to house a plurality of additive material sections;
• and
• a controller programmed to cause the cartridge to eject a next one of the plurality of additive material sections into the lubrication system in response to a lubricant attribute exceeding a predetermined threshold.