Previous studies on the effects of vegetable oil methyl esters on diesel fuel lubricity have shown an increase in lubricity associated with the addition of these esters. This study sought to examine the effects of individual component fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) on diesel lubricity. Additive levels of 0-1.0% of specific fatty acid methyl esters were added to diesel fuel and the resulting lubricity was measured using the High Frequency Reciprocating Rig method. The lubricity enhancing effects of the single FAMEs were compared to those of other pure FAMEs and to those of previously studied FAME mixtures derived from vegetable oils. An attempt was made to correlate FAME chain length, saturation and hydroxylation to lubricity enhancement. The individual fatty acid esters did not have as dramatic an effect on lubricity as did methyl esters derived from vegetable oils composed of a mixture of several fatty acids. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.