Automotive shock absorber fluids (ASAFs) are mostly petroleum-derived lubricants. They have been observed to be contributors to soil and surface water pollutants as they do leak uncontrollably while in service. To address this problem, a search for bio-based environmentally friendly fluids as alternatives is being made. In this work, the tribological properties of native atili oil (AO) were experimentally influenced, using a synergistic binary combination of commercial polar additives (Methylene bis(dibutyldithiocarbamate) (MBCA) and Molybdenum dialkyldithiocarbamate) (MDCA) for use as bio-based ASAFs. The experiments were performed using a Four-Ball Wear Tester in accordance with ASTM D4172 method. Imaging of wear scars on the surfaces of the tested balls were done using optical microscope, while average surface roughness and elemental surface analysis of the same were determined using a stylus profiler-type surface roughness tester, and a variable pressure scanning electron microscope (VPSEM) respectively. The AO-based formulated fluids offered better friction and wear reduction, smoother grooves, and lower average surface roughness of the worn ball surfaces than a petroleum-based commercial ASAF, tested for comparison. VPSEM analysis of the worn surface of the ball from the best-performing formulated sample revealed high deposits of Mo, S, and N, with lower O within the tribo-film, as the key players in the strides attended by the novel formulation. From tribological perspectives as demonstrated in this work, mineral-based ASAFs can be suitably replaced with the formulated AO fluid.