Over the past few years there have been numerous papers and articles published using the Mini-Traction Machine (MTM) test rig for transport lubricant applications. This rig has gained popularity by allowing the measurement of both high and low entrainment speeds in a single instrument. In this study, the MTM clearly demonstrates the effects of friction modifier on high and low polarity basestocks. It can be observed in the slide–roll ratio curves the friction modifier glycerol monooleate (GMO) is most effective in naphthenic mineral oil and least effective in polyol ester. Additionally, we have used the MTM rig to differentiate the traction of various organic friction modifiers, as well as, investigated the behavior of a variety of overbased sulfonate detergents. Depending on the nature of the friction modifier the traction can be increased or decreased under various conditions of temperature and slide–roll ratio. Conversely, the addition of overbased sulfonate detergents increases the traction at high speeds and decreases the traction at low speeds, resulting in an overall flattening of the traction curve.