Engine oils

Engine oils in South Africa: prices, grades and offers

Updated 4 November 2026

An engine oil in South Africa costs roughly R 66 to R 1,840, depending on the grade, the pack size and whether the oil is mineral, synthetic or fully synthetic. For the right oil for your car, the quickest route is a request on BlaBlaPrice, where the AI checks sellers' websites and price lists in South Africa and shows the prices and sellers it finds.

What the label and the warranty tell you

The letter after S or C on the container shows the quality level and the standard the oil meets, and the oil should meet the standard named in your owner's manual. Check the viscosity and the manufacturer approval before you buy. Some warranty conditions require engine oil and filters to be changed as recommended, so keep your invoices. You may choose where you service your car, both during the warranty and after it.

Summer and winter in South Africa

Winter runs from June to August and summer from December to February. In winter the first number in the grade, such as the 0W or 5W, matters most, because a cold engine needs oil that flows quickly at start-up. In summer the engine runs hotter and the second number matters more. November is the last month before summer, a sensible time to check the oil level and change the oil if it is due.

Delivery and how prices are quoted

Oil is sold by the pack, so compare by litres, not by the label. A single 500 ml bottle costs about R 150, while a 5-litre pack costs from R 395 to R 629. Ask each seller to confirm the delivery city, whether the price includes VAT and how long delivery to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria or Gqeberha takes.

What to put in your request

Give the car make, model and year, the viscosity and approval from the manual, the oil type (mineral, synthetic or fully synthetic), the quantity in litres, your delivery city and your budget.

Buying through BlaBlaPrice is free. You describe the car and the oil in your own words, and the sellers who receive the request reply in the chat with their own price and terms. Your contacts stay hidden, and you decide with whom to exchange them. You can also send the request link to a local seller yourself. Start with oils and car chemicals, or check transmission oils if you need gear oil too, and read how BlaBlaPrice works.