How long does it usually take to detect fake engine oil?
3 Answers
As for how long it usually takes to detect fake engine oil, it's hard to determine. Some vehicles may experience problems soon after using fake oil, while others may show no issues until the next oil change. Using fake engine oil may cause the following symptoms: Symptom one: After adding fake oil, it generally causes significant damage to the car's engine, and the water in the engine radiator evaporates faster. Symptom two: Unstable engine idle, increased noise (louder at higher speeds), higher fuel consumption, engine knocking, insufficient power, and poor acceleration. Symptom three: Parking shudder, cylinder scoring, increased carbon buildup, premature maintenance light display on the dashboard, etc. It can easily lead to cylinder scoring and bearing failure, shortening the engine's lifespan. In severe cases, it may cause sudden breakdowns, endangering the owner's safety.
I once used counterfeit engine oil, and within about a month, I noticed something was wrong. The engine noise became louder, like metal grinding, and the acceleration slowed down significantly when pressing the throttle. Later, when I took the car for repairs, the mechanic said the oil quality was too poor, causing insufficient lubrication and part wear. If you frequently drive long distances or drive aggressively, you might notice abnormal noises or increased fuel consumption within just two or three weeks. Now, I only buy engine oil from official channels and regularly check the dipstick to avoid falling into the same trap. When changing oil, pay attention to whether the packaging is intact—counterfeit oil packaging is often very rough. Overall, counterfeit engine oil is highly harmful, and the earlier you detect it, the easier it is to fix.
From my experience, counterfeit engine oil shows its effects quite quickly. I've seen cases where customers started getting oil pressure warning lights or unstable idling after just a few hundred kilometers of using fake oil. In severe cases, it may even cause cylinder scoring - definitely not worth the risk. Problems usually become apparent within one or two months, such as noticeably increased noise or reduced power. I recommend paying attention to the source of engine oil during every maintenance service and not being tempted by cheap deals. Checking is simple - just extract some oil to see if it's turned black or contains impurities. Long-term use of counterfeit oil will shorten engine lifespan and lead to complicated repairs.
