The present invention utilizes simple dimethylsilicone fluids of the
proper viscosity/molecular weight added to modify the low temperature
properties of polycyclic hydrocarbons. One preferred embodiment of a
polycyclic hydrocarbon is a perhydro dimer of alpha-methyl styrene.
Addition of the dimethylsilicone fluid to the perhydo dimer of
alpha-methyl styrene improves the low temperature performance without
degrading the requisite low shear stress shear strength properties. Low
viscosity dimethylsilicone lubricating fluids combined with polycyclic
hydrocarbons are suitable for use in infinitely variable transmissions
providing good low temperature flow properties and high shear strength at
high temperature and low contact stress conditions.