Can you Replace Motorcycle Oil with Cooking Oil? Here's the complete answer

Although it seems ridiculous, questions like "can cooking oil be used to replace motorcycle oil" have actually been asked by someone. Even in some videos there are people who experiment with replacing their motorcycle oil using cooking oil. Okay, this time otomodify will explain in full why this action is ridiculous.

The difference between cooking oil and oil?

Although both are oils, these two oils are applied or used to carry out different activities. Motor oil is a motor oil that is useful or functions to lubricate motorcycle engines. Oil is made from petroleum or synthetic oil that has gone through a complex formulation process. Oil contains many addictive substances including anti-rust, antioxidants, and dispersants.

While cooking oil is oil that is designed for cooking. Cooking oil is usually made from palm, coconut or corn oil. Oil is not designed and does not have the addictive substances needed by motorcycles. So it is very ridiculous if someone still uses cooking oil as a substitute for their oil.

Why can't cooking oil replace motorcycle oil?

Here are some reasons why cooking oil cannot replace oil as a motorcycle engine lubricant.

No protection against rust

In addition to being a lubricant that makes it easier for the motorcycle engine to move, oil also has other functions that are no less important. Namely protecting the inside of the engine from corrosion or rust and keeping dirt from sticking to the metal surface. Cooking oil does not have any additives that can protect the engine from rust. On the contrary, the use of cooking oil on a motorbike will leave carbon deposits and become sticky like lumps.

This deposit will clog the oil path, causing the engine to not be optimal and the components will wear out quickly. This means that the use of cooking oil will actually accelerate damage to the motorbike.

Very weak lubricating power

Cooking oil can indeed make the metal surface more slippery. However, the oil needed by a motorbike is one that can withstand quite high temperatures. Cooking oil cannot do this. Cooking oil cannot withstand extreme temperatures.

Long-term costs are more expensive

Using cooking oil seems to be much more effective in terms of budget. Compared to oil, cooking oil is relatively cheaper. Even so, the damage caused by cooking oil will cost even more. It could even exceed the price of the motorbike itself.

What happens if oil is replaced with cooking oil?

When you read this far, it means that you still want to do a silly experiment replacing motorcycle oil with cooking oil. Well, the following answers are some answers to the questions above

Motorcycle engine can break down

It should be noted that the temperature of a motorcycle engine when operating can reach 100 degrees to 150 degrees Celsius. Cooking oil has a much lower boiling point than motor oil. If cooking oil is used at extreme temperatures, the oil is likely to oxidize, thicken, change color, or even catch fire. Then the engine will lose lubrication, there will be friction between metal components, overheat, and can cause permanent damage.

Fire

Yup, using cooking oil on a motorbike as a substitute for oil can cause a fire. This is again because cooking oil is not resistant to high temperatures. Cooking oil will be very flammable when exposed to high temperatures.

Pollution

Burning or cooking oil exposed to high temperatures when the motorbike engine is operating can cause excessive pollution. This is because burning cooking oil produces a thicker and more unpleasant-smelling smoke residue.

Experimental reality: Failed 

There are many experiments on replacing motor oil with cooking oil. And all the experiments stated failure. Here are some of the results:

• The motor only starts for a few moments then the engine locks
• The exhaust emits thick white smoke due to imperfect combustion
• After the experiment, several motors were dismantled, and the inside of the engine was found to be full of crust and burnt.

So even though the intention was educational or just for fun, most of these experiments ended up causing fatal damage.

Emergency is not an excuse

Some people still use cooking oil as their motorcycle oil for emergency reasons because there are rarely any repair shops in their area. This is still highly discouraged. Using cooking oil is a high-risk action. It is better to pull or push the motorcycle until you find the nearest repair shop.

Whatever the reason, using cooking oil as a substitute for motorcycle oil is a very bad decision. Motorcycle engines require lubricants that are specifically designed for heavy and extreme working conditions. Cooking oil does not meet those criteria—either in terms of structure, additives, or durability.

Instead of saving, you are actually setting up a time bomb for your motorcycle engine. It is better to invest a little money and time to change the oil regularly with a product that meets the manufacturer's specifications.