Fuel Adulteration: Major Threat to Vehicle Safety

Transport safety officials and automotive engineers are raising fresh concerns over the growing incidence of fuel adulteration in Nigeria, warning that contaminated petrol and diesel are increasingly being linked to sudden vehicle breakdowns, highway fires, and traffic crashes.

Also Read: Why Running Out of Fuel Is More Dangerous Than Many Drivers Realise

Fuel adulteration, the illegal mixing of petrol or diesel with kerosene, solvents, or other chemical substances is said to be quietly damaging thousands of engines nationwide while also creating severe safety risks on major highways.

According to automotive technicians, adulterated fuel affects critical engine components such as fuel injectors, pumps, sensors, and combustion chambers, often causing engines to stall abruptly at high speed or overheat without warning.

How Adulterated Fuel Endangers Lives

Experts explain that contaminated fuel can trigger:

• Sudden engine shutdown while driving
• Loss of power during overtaking
• Engine knocking and internal damage
• Fuel line corrosion and leakage
• Increased risk of vehicle fire outbreaks

When vehicles lose power unexpectedly on highways, drivers often struggle to control steering and braking, leading to rear-end collisions, roadside crashes, and in severe cases, multi-vehicle accidents.

Mechanical specialists also note that fuel adulteration increases exhaust temperatures and can ignite fuel vapour leaks, especially in poorly maintained vehicles.

Commercial buses, trucks, and motorcycles are believed to be the worst hit due to frequent refuelling at roadside outlets and unregulated stations.

A fuel system technician in Abuja told RoadKing.ng that over half of the fuel-related engine failures he sees monthly are linked to contaminated products.

“Drivers complain that engines started misfiring immediately after refuelling. When we test the samples, the smell, colour, and residue already tell the story,” he said.

Long-distance transport operators say adulterated fuel not only damages engines but also causes unexpected delays, leaving vehicles stranded in unsafe locations.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) have repeatedly warned marketers against tampering with fuel products, stressing that adulteration violates national fuel quality standards.

The Federal Fire Service and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have also linked several roadside vehicle fires to substandard or contaminated fuel, urging motorists to patronise only licensed filling stations and report suspicious outlets.

What Motorists Are Advised to Do

Safety experts recommend that drivers:

• Buy fuel only from major, verified stations
• Avoid roadside hawkers and unknown vendors
• Watch for unusual engine sounds after refuelling
• Check for fuel smell or leakages immediately
• Service fuel filters regularly
• Report suspected adulteration to regulators

Passengers are also encouraged to alert drivers if they notice smoke, power loss, or strong fuel odour while travelling.

Fuel adulteration is not only an economic crime, it is a road safety hazard. Beyond damaging engines, it increases the likelihood of:

• Sudden traffic obstruction
• Dangerous breakdowns
• Fire outbreaks
• Preventable road deaths

Safety advocates stress that tackling fuel adulteration requires stronger monitoring of filling stations, tougher penalties, and improved public reporting channels.