Oil & GasMarch 5, 20252 min read
How to Spot Fake Engine Oil and Save Your Car
Automotive Care Team
Power.ng Editorial Team
Fake lubricants are killing engines across Nigeria. Simple tests to verify if your Total, Mobil, or Oando oil is genuine.
Power.ng quick answer
For how to spot fake engine oil and save your car, Power.ng's current answer is: How to identify fake engine oil in Nigeria. Check seals, smell, color, and texture to protect your car engine from knock.
Using fake oil sludge your engine and leads to "knocking" within months. The market is flooded with re-packaged used oil.
Physical Checks
- The Seal: Genuine oil has a tight, tamper-proof foil seal with branding. If it peels off too easily or looks glued, reject it.
- The Smell: Fresh oil has a distinct chemical smell. Fake oil often smells burnt (like fuel) because it is recycled waste oil.
- The Color: Dip your finger. New oil is golden/amber and clear. Dark or black oil is used.
- Texture: Rub it between fingers. It should be smooth and slippery, not gritty.
Buy from Official Stations
The only 100% guarantee is to buy from the filling station of the brand (e.g., buy Total oil at a Total station). Market stalls and roadside mechanics are high-risk sources.
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