A method for improving wear control, while maintaining or improving energy efficiency, in an engine or other mechanical component lubricated with a lubricating oil, by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil. The formulated oil includes at least one lubricating oil base stock having one or more liquid crystals represented by the formula: R1-(A)m-Y—(B)n—R2 wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and are a substituted or unsubstituted, hydrocarbon, alkoxy or alkylthio group having from 2 to 24 carbon atoms; A and B are the same or different and are a cycloaliphatic group or aromatic group, provided at least one of A and B is an aromatic group; Y is a covalent bond, —CH2-CH2-, —CH═CH—, —OCOO—, —CO—, —CSO—, —CSS—, —CS—, —O—, —S—, —SO—, —SO2-, —CH2O—, —OCH2O—, —NO—, —ONO2, or —C≡N; and m and n are independently 0, 1, 2 or 3. The lubricating oil base stock has a kinematic viscosity of 2 cSt to 200 cSt at 40° C., and 1 cSt to 25 cSt at 100° C. Also, this disclosure relates to low traction/energy efficient liquid crystal base stocks containing liquid crystals.