A crankcase lubricant, an additive concentrate and a method for improving water tolerance of a lubricant. The lubricant includes a) a major amount of a base oil; b) an alkali or alkaline earth metal-containing detergent; c) a phosphorus-based wear preventative; and d) a surfactant agent other than (b). The lubricant has a weight ratio of alkali or alkaline earth metal content to phosphorus content, based on a total mass of lubricant, ranging from about 1.6 to about 5.0.