MAX phase ceramics are a promising candidate for high-temperature self-lubricity, while improving their tribological performance under insufficient oxidation-coupling conditions is still challenging. Herein, a new quinary out-of-plane ordered M 3AlC 2 (M = Ti, Cr, and Mo) MAX is constructed, and its tribological properties are comparatively studied with its M 4AlC 3 analogue at 25-800 ºC in the air. The capacity of energy dissipation ( E r 2/ H) is proven to be an indicator of the tribological properties. For M 3AlC 2 with a higher E r 2/ H, a lower COF in the tested temperature window is achieved. Meanwhile, under insufficient oxidation-coupling conditions, the improved anti-wear performance of M 3AlC 2 is in agreement with its higher E r 2/ H. The current study paves the new route for the design of MAX solid lubricant.