This invention is directed to a method of operating a wormgear drive at high
energy efficiency comprising filling an oil reservoir with a wormgear lubricant
comprising an isomerized Fischer-Tropsch derived distillate fraction having a low
traction coefficient and operating the wormgear drive with the filled oil reservoir
at an equilibrium temperature between 20 and 225 degrees C. This invention is also
directed to a process for reducing the traction coefficient of a higher-traction
coefficient lubricating base oil by blending it with an isomerized Fischer-Tropsch
derived distillate fraction. This invention is also directed to a wormgear lubricant
comprising an isomerized Fischer-Tropsch distillate fraction and between 2 and
50 weight percent thickener.