How to Identify Genuine and Fake Engine Oil?
3 Answers
Methods to identify genuine and fake engine oil are: 1. Check the packaging appearance: Genuine engine oil packaging is very neat with no rough edges, the sealing cap is a one-time use lid, and the box color is bright; fake engine oil packaging is rough and the color is dull. 2. Smell the odor and feel the texture: Genuine engine oil has a light smell with a slight crystal wax fragrance; fake engine oil has a strong and irritating odor, and feels less viscous at room temperature. 3. Observe the appearance: Genuine engine oil is light in color, transparent, free of impurities and sediments, and flows well when shaken; fake engine oil is darker in color, has impurities and sediments, flows poorly when shaken, or feels stringy when touched. 4. Shake the oil container to see if the oil flows well; bubbles in fake engine oil disappear more slowly.
I just experienced this last month. I bought cheap engine oil online, and within a few days of use, the engine started making a buzzing noise. Later, after having someone check it, I found out it was counterfeit. To distinguish between genuine and fake engine oil, start with the packaging. Genuine products have clear anti-counterfeit labels and exquisite printing, while fakes may appear blurry or have spelling errors. You can also smell it—genuine oil has no irritating odor, while fakes often have strange or strong chemical smells. A simple viscosity test involves pouring some oil on your hand. Genuine oil has a moderate thickness and won’t be too thin, while fake oil flows quickly like water. Using a UV light, genuine oil packaging has special anti-counterfeit marks that glow, while fakes don’t. Always check the verification code—genuine bottles have a barcode, and scanning it with the official app is the most reliable method. From now on, I’ll only buy from authorized stores and never chase cheap deals again. Fake engine oil damages the engine and wastes money—so be very careful.
As someone who frequently deals with cars, I believe identifying genuine and fake engine oil requires hands-on practice. First, observe the color and transparency—real oil is clear and light yellow without sediment, while fake oil appears black or contains impurities. Shake the bottle gently; genuine oil flows smoothly without splashing, whereas fake oil spills like water. For a more professional approach, use a viscometer to test—the standard value is printed on the packaging, with genuine oil typically having a viscosity index above 150. Don’t overlook anti-counterfeiting features; bottle caps often have QR codes that can be scanned to verify authenticity on the official website. If you accidentally purchase fake oil, symptoms like increased engine noise and higher fuel consumption will appear—replace it immediately. During regular maintenance, ask your mechanic to inspect the oil quality; professional tools like UV lights work even better. Developing good habits helps avoid losses.
