The present paper gives a detailed description of structural changes in three types of MoCN–Ag coatings (Mo51C15N27Ag7, Mo40C31N23Ag6, and Mo43C14N40Ag3) during dynamic temperature ramp tribological tests with particular emphasis on the analysis of wear products to identify adaptive friction mechanisms in the temperature range between 250 and 550°C. Thorough structural characterization using high-temperature XRD, SEM, TEM, GDOES, and Raman spectroscopy provided evidence of various tribo-chemical reactions in the zone of tribological contact affecting lubrication. The coating lubrication in the temperature range between 100 and 400°C was observed to be different. Unlike Mo51C15N27Ag7 coating whose friction coefficient monotonously increased with increasing temperature from 25 to 250°C, the Mo40C31N23Ag6 coating demonstrated low values of friction coefficient up to 250°C due to the tribo-activated formation of carbon-based fibers normal to the sliding direction. The good lubrication of the Mo43C14N40Ag3 coating at elevated temperatures was attributed to almost no wear due to its high hardness and to the formation of a thin tribo-activated MoO3 film at 350°C. However, complete oxidation of the wear track at 400°C resulted in intensive abrasion wear and high friction. Above 400°C, all coatings demonstrated similar values of friction coefficient irrespective of phase composition (melt, Ag6Mo10O33, or MoO3+Ag). Display omitted •Low-friction coatings for broad temperature range•Various tribo-chemical reactions in the tribological contact zones at elevated temperatures•Low friction coefficients due to tribo-activated formation of carbon-based fibers•Good lubrication of MoCN–Ag coatings at elevated temperatures due to almost no wear•Tribo-activated formation of silver molybdate rods with turbostratic structure at 550°C