Abstract: Two-stroke cross-head marine compression-ignited engine system lubrication is effected by a composition comprising a major amount of an oil of lubricating viscosity containing at least 50 mass % of a basestock containing greater than or equal to 90% saturates and less than or equal to 0.03% sulphur or a mixture thereof, and respective minor amounts of an oil-soluble overbased metal alkyl salicylate detergent and an oil-soluble polyalkenyl-substituted carboxylic acid anhydride or an oil-soluble alkylated phenol. The presence of the anhydride or the phenol improves asphaltene dispersency in the lubricant.