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Production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil was studied by experimental investigation using response surface methodology, specifically D-optimal design consisting of two levels. Waste cooking oil methyl ester (WCO-ME) produced under optimum transesterification process parameters was used in a direct injection diesel engine to evaluate the performance, emission and combustion characteristics at a constant speed of 1500 rpm. Results revealed that the biodiesel resulted in decreased brake thermal efficiency by 6% and higher brake-specific energy consumption of 25.9% when compared to diesel at 100% load condition. Carbon monoxide (CO), unburnt hydrocarbon, nitric oxide (NO) emission and smoke emission of WCO-ME decreased by 43.3%, 52.7%, 23% and 15.5%, respectively, compared to diesel. WCO-ME exhibited lower heat release rate, shorter ignition delay of 10.9°CA and slightly longer …