
Waste engine oil can be ignited. Hazards of Waste Engine Oil: Waste engine oil contains carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic substances, as well as waste acids, heavy metals, and other harmful materials that pose significant risks to human health. Organic compounds such as aromatic hydrocarbons are particularly toxic, capable of lodging in the lungs and entering the bloodstream to affect the entire body. These substances can interfere with the hematopoietic system, nervous system, etc., leading to blood disorders. Heavy metals like lead and cadmium are difficult to eliminate from the body and severely impact the nervous system. Characteristics of Waste Engine Oil: Waste engine oil refers to used oil that has been replaced from various machinery, vehicles, ships, and equipment due to oxidation, thermal decomposition, and contamination by impurities, rendering its physical and chemical properties unsuitable for continued use. During its service life, lubricating oil accumulates large amounts of sludge and oxides from external contamination, diminishing or completely losing its functions such as friction control, wear reduction, cooling, sealing, and vibration damping. This results in the formation of waste oil—a semi-solid or liquid product composed of wholly or partially used mineral or synthetic hydrocarbons (synthetic oils), residues from storage tanks, mixtures of oil and water, and emulsions.

As a seasoned driver with years of experience, I can confidently say that used motor oil is definitely flammable, but you really need to be careful with it. I remember one time when I tried to burn a barrel of used oil in my backyard to save some trouble, and the flames shot up much faster than I expected, nearly catching the haystack on fire. Thick smoke billowed out, making me cough for ages. Motor oil itself is petroleum-based and combustible like gasoline, but it contains metal particles and additives that release toxic gases like lead and sulfur when burned, causing significant environmental harm. Later, I read online that many community fires are caused by careless burning of used oil, and improper disposal can even be illegal. Now, I collect my used oil and take it to a recycling center—it's safe and eco-friendly, so why take the risk? Remember, safe driving also means safe waste disposal.

From an environmental perspective, it's true that used motor oil can be burned, but it shouldn't be done. As someone who regularly participates in environmental organization activities, I've learned that randomly burning used motor oil pollutes the air, releasing harmful fumes like benzene and dioxins that damage respiratory health. Motor oil is actually a recyclable resource that can be processed into regenerated fuel or new oil - wasting it is neither smart nor responsible. Some regions even have penalty regulations prohibiting private burning. I recommend storing used oil in sealed containers and delivering it directly to professional recycling facilities or repair shops. This approach not only reduces pollution but also supports circular economy - killing two birds with one stone. Protecting our planet starts with small actions - don't let convenience harm future generations.

In my auto repair experience, used motor oil is definitely flammable. As a combustible liquid with a low flash point, it can ignite into a major fire with just a match. The real issue lies in its unstable combustion: contaminated with metal particles and chemical residues, used oil tends to spatter violently or release highly toxic fumes. I always advise customers against experimenting with this at home—bring it directly to the repair shop where we can handle it safely. Recycling it enables reuse, saving money while being eco-friendly. Always store oil in leak-proof containers away from heat sources to prevent accidents. Simply put, don't play with fire—literally.


