vegetable oil to lubricate car components

[dublove]

Hi all

A friend of mine is using vegetable oil to lubricate and 'protect' nuts, bolts, and components on his car & bike. The veg oil is also being mixed with other oils and greases (not sure what)

I've basically told him that he needs to put that crap away and use the proper lubes for the job. However he thinks i'm talking out of my arse!!!

I need your help to persuade him to stop this nasty practise

[GadgeS3C]

Can't beat Castrol R.

[Strawman]

I wouldn't in case rodents (rats or mice) are tempted by the smell to make a nest in his car, they love eating wiring looms as well.

[checkmate91]

Veggie oils (even Castrol R, sorry) go gummy over time. Not sure I'd use anything like this to protect bare metal in the long term. Wax polish seems to be popular but the old engineers rag approach (engine oil/grease) takes some beating.

[Mr2Mike]

Vegetable oils go rancid when exposed to heat, light and air for a while. It's simply bizarre that someone would think of using cooking oil to protect and lubricate parts when there are numerous brands of mineral/synthetic oil that are specifically designed to do this.

[Pinky and Perky]

What nuts and bolts is he using them on?

is he using to "protect" or aid assembly?

if he's using as a protection the oil will eventually get caked in dust, mud, salts and other road detrius and will cease to perform its function all that will happen is the bolt head will get caked in cr@p. Also the oil could and will soak down the nut or the bolt and could losen the thread and the hold the bolts are supposed to have, meaning a potential loosening problem.