“Filled up with store-bought sunflower oil” - is that even possible? 0 14

As fuel prices continue to rise across Europe, some drivers in Latvia are seeking increasingly unusual ways to save money. In recent weeks, videos have been circulating on social media showing car enthusiasts pouring regular cooking oil into their vehicles instead of diesel fuel.

Some internet users view such experiments as a joke, while others react with surprise and concern. Automotive experts, in turn, warn that such savings could lead to serious engine breakdowns and costly repairs.

In one of the viral videos, a man demonstrates his experiment and provides detailed commentary on what is happening. He explains that he decided to try replacing part of the fuel with regular sunflower oil from the store. According to the video’s author, the rising fuel prices prompted the experiment. "Oil prices are falling on the stock market, but our prices keep getting higher. Well, we’ll manage for a while," the driver jokes.

After the oil is in the tank, the man starts the car and shares his impressions. "Look, the little tractor is purring. There’s no smoke coming from the exhaust," he says. He then goes for a short drive: "I’m going for a test drive now to see how it performs."

Upon returning, the video’s author claims he didn’t notice much difference. "I’ve already taken a ride. The power hasn’t even dropped. I thought it would be less, but it’s not," he explains. Moreover, the driver notes the unusual smell of the exhaust: "The most interesting thing is, take a whiff. It really smells like something fried. So, I think it’s possible to drive like this."

At the same time, he admits that he wouldn’t conduct such an experiment with more modern cars: "I wouldn’t put this in new cars, of course. But in such an old ‘tractor’, an old diesel without a turbo… I think it’s worth a try."

Can vegetable oil replace diesel?

In fact, the idea of using vegetable oil in diesel engines is not new. Old diesel engines can indeed run for a while on vegetable oil, as it shares some properties with diesel fuel. However, experts emphasize that without special processing and preparation, this is highly undesirable.

In modern cars, the fuel system and injectors are designed for a strictly defined viscosity and fuel composition. Vegetable oil is significantly thicker than diesel, especially at low temperatures. Because of this, it can:

• clog fuel filters
• worsen fuel atomization in injectors
• cause carbon buildup in the combustion chamber
• damage the high-pressure fuel pump

Over time, this leads to reduced engine power, increased fuel consumption, and serious breakdowns.

Even in old diesel engines, prolonged driving on regular cooking oil can lead to the coking of parts and costly repairs. That’s why specialists warn: a short-term experiment may end without consequences, but regular use of such “fuel” will almost certainly damage the vehicle.