Motor oil is your engine's blood. Using the wrong viscosity or cheap oil is one of the fastest ways to damage your engine, especially in Nigeria's hot climate and stop‑start traffic. This guide explains everything you need to know to make the right choice.

Understanding Viscosity (What do 5W‑30, 10W‑40 mean?)

The "W" stands for winter (cold start performance). The first number is the oil's flow at cold temperatures; the second number is its thickness at 100°C.

• 5W‑30 – flows easily at cold start, good fuel economy. Ideal for most modern petrol engines (2010+).
• 10W‑40 – slightly thicker at operating temperature, better for older engines or high‑mileage vehicles (over 150,000 km).
• 15W‑40 – commonly used in diesel engines and commercial vehicles.
• 0W‑20 – for very modern, tight‑clearance engines (Toyota, Honda). Check your manual.

Synthetic vs. Conventional vs. Semi‑Synthetic

• Conventional (mineral) oil: Cheap but breaks down faster. Change every 3,000‑4,000 km. Not recommended for turbocharged engines.
• Semi‑synthetic: A blend, good for average driving. Change every 5,000‑6,000 km.
• Full synthetic: Best protection, handles extreme heat, resists sludge, lasts longer (8,000‑10,000 km). Worth the extra cost.

Our Recommendation for Lagos Drivers

• Petrol cars (2006‑2015): Fully synthetic 5W‑30 or 10W‑40 (e.g., Mobil 1, Castrol Edge, Total Quartz).
• Petrol cars (2016+): 0W‑20 or 5W‑30 (check manual).
• Diesel SUVs / vans: High quality 15W‑40 (e.g., Shell Rimula, Total Rubia).
• High mileage (over 200,000 km): High mileage synthetic 10W‑40 (contains seal conditioners).

5 Critical Oil Mistakes

1. Overfilling – causes foaming and oil leaks. Use the dipstick.
2. Using the wrong viscosity – too thick = poor flow at cold start; too thin = metal‑to‑metal contact at high temps.
3. Extending change intervals – Lagos traffic is "severe service". Change every 5,000 km (synthetic) or 3,000 km (conventional).
4. Buying counterfeit oil – stick to authorised dealers. Fake oil destroys engines within weeks.
5. Ignoring oil pressure light – pull over immediately.

Oil Change Cost vs. Engine Replacement

A proper oil change with filter costs between ₦25,000 and ₦50,000 (depending on oil brand). An engine rebuild? ₦500,000 to ₦2,000,000+. The maths is simple.

Need an oil change? We use only genuine, high quality oils. Book a 30‑minute oil service – we'll also inspect your filter, air filter, and top up other fluids.

Related: Signs your engine needs attention | Full maintenance services