Graphene　exhibits　great　potential　as　an　additive　to　enhance　the　anti-wear　and　friction　reduction　capacity　of　moving　mechanical　components　in　a　synergistic　mechanism　with　the　base　oil.　This　paper　considers　the　effect　of　different　factors　such　as　the　number　of　base　oil　molecules,　graphene　content,　normal　load,　sliding　velocity　and　the　presence　of　graphene.　The　synergistic　mechanism　of　graphene　and　base　oil　is　investigated　by　experiments　and　molecular　dynamics　(MD)　simulations.　The　results　show　that　the　friction　and　wear　reduction　is　due　to　the　formation　of　the　load-supporting　graphene　layers　and　sufficient　base　oil　molecules　between　Fe　slabs.　Graphene　can　stably　adsorb　on　the　rubbing　surfaces　lubricated　by　the　base　oil,　confirming　that　graphene　can　form　a　physical　deposition　film　on　rubbing　surfaces.　Low　friction　and　wear　can　be　achieved　with　higher　sliding　velocity　and　lower　load.　Furthermore,　compared　to　the　sliding　velocity,　the　load　significantly　affects　the　mean　square　displacement　of　base　oil　and　oleic　acid　molecules.　These　outcomes　provide　a　better　understanding　of　the　tribological　properties　of　graphene　as　a　lubricant　additive.　©　2022　IOP　Publishing　Ltd.