Physics

Friction arises from surface roughness and molecular adhesion—lubricants work by filling microscopic gaps and reducing contact between surfaces. Rolling friction is fundamentally different: it comes from deformation of the rolling object and surface, not from sliding contact. Since lubricants can't meaningfully affect how a wheel or ball deforms as it rolls, they can't reduce rolling friction the way they reduce static and sliding friction.

Friction arises from surface roughness and molecular adhesion—lubricants work by filling microscopic gaps and reducing contact between surfaces. Rolling friction is fundamentally different: it comes from deformation of the rolling object and surface, not from sliding contact. Since lubricants can't meaningfully affect how a wheel or ball deforms as it rolls, they can't reduce rolling friction the way they reduce static and sliding friction.