This work deals with the tribological performance of karanja oil trimethylolpropane ester (KOTMPE) biolubricant base oil for its probable application as automotive lubricant. The biolubricant was synthesized by transesterification of karanja oil methyl ester with trimethylolpropane (TMP) under acid catalyst. The study was made with Ducom TR30L four-ball tester at 1200 rev min −1 speed and 75 °C temperature over 60 min duration under normal loads of 15 kg and 40 kg as per ASTM D 4172-94 A and B standard test method. Principal results at two loads are given here: Coefficient of friction (CoF) 0.100 and 0.042, wear scar diameter (WSD) 0.30 mm and 0.44 mm, flash temperature parameter (FTP) 80.932 and 126.249, and thermal energy (TE) 0.054 J and 0.060 J, respectively. The study found that KOTMPE has lowest CoF than any vegetable oil, TMP ester or commercial lubricant. Similarly, the WSD was lowest among all the vegetable oil based lubricants and was at par with SAE 20W-50 and SAE 40 commercial lubricants. FTP was better compared to any vegetable oil or TMP ester. Finally, the energy efficiency of KOTMPE was better than that of other vegetable oils, TMP esters and mineral lubricants. The synthesized ester demonstrated the outstanding performance in terms of friction and wear characteristics along with high thermal stability and energy efficiency worthy of comparison with multiple lubricating products reported by different research groups in available literature during last two decades.