This disclosure relates to cold cranking simulator viscosity (“CCSV”) boosting base stocks that allow flexibility for engine oil formulations to meet both high and low temperature viscosity requirements while maximizing fuel efficiency. The CCSV-boosting base stocks can include C28-C60 hydrocarbon materials, linear esters, tertiary amides, dialkyl carbonates, aromatic alcohols, and aromatic ethers. This disclosure also relates to lubricating oil formulations containing the CCSV-boosting base stocks, and a method for improving fuel efficiency in an engine by using as engine oil a lubricating oil formulation containing one or more of the CCSV-boosting base stocks.