The invention provides a dispersant viscosity modifier, and more specifically a metal free dispersant viscosity modifier. The invention provides compositions, including lubricating compositions containing the described dispersant viscosity modifier, such as heavy duty diesel lubricating compositions. The invention further relates to the use of the described dispersant viscosity modifier to improve the film thickness and/or antiwear performance of a lubricating composition, for example, a heavy duty diesel lubricating composition. The improved dispersant viscosity modifier of the invention is specially designed to protect against valve train and other crankcase wear in lubricating applications, including heavy soot conditions such as heavy duty diesel lubricating applications.