How to Identify Automotive Engine Oil?
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For automotive engine oil, often referred to as the "lifeblood" of a car, using high-quality oil is crucial for properly maintaining the engine. Here are methods to distinguish genuine from counterfeit engine oil: First, examine the oil container. Counterfeit oil containers often have unclear or irregular fonts, and the seams around the cap are rough. Genuine oil containers feature clear fonts and fine craftsmanship with no impurities. However, just inspecting the container isn't foolproof, as some unscrupulous sellers reuse authentic oil bottles to fill with fake oil. At room temperature, genuine engine oil typically has a darker color compared to counterfeit oil. Another crucial method is smell: genuine oil has almost no strong odor, emitting only a faint, pleasant fragrance, while counterfeit oil has a noticeably pungent gasoline-like smell. After freezing for 48 hours, genuine oil maintains good low-temperature fluidity with no significant changes in transparency or color. In contrast, counterfeit oil becomes slightly thicker and appears cloudy. Using counterfeit engine oil can lead to the following issues: reduced lubrication causing increased wear; engine overheating and shortened lifespan with rapid coolant temperature rise; difficulty in cleaning heavy engine sludge; increased emissions and accelerated oil consumption (severe oil burning); and accelerated metal oxidation leading to corrosion.
