How to Identify the Authenticity of Motor Oil?
3 Answers
Methods to distinguish the authenticity of motor oil: 1. Check the packaging: Genuine motor oil usually has neat packaging, while counterfeit oil often has rough packaging with blurred fonts. Authentic oil also has a sealed tin foil at the oil opening, bearing the manufacturer's special mark. 2. Examine the oil's appearance: Genuine oil is light-colored, transparent, free of impurities, suspended particles, or sediment, and flows well when shaken. Additionally, genuine oil is much darker in color compared to counterfeit oil. 3. Smell the oil and feel its texture: Genuine oil has a mild smell, while counterfeit oil has a strong and pungent odor. At the same viscosity grade, genuine oil feels less viscous, whereas counterfeit oil feels stickier and may form threads when touched. 4. Consider the price: Genuine motor oil prices usually do not vary significantly, so oil with a price that is drastically different from others may be counterfeit.
Last time I helped my neighbor check the engine oil he bought online, I taught him some practical tricks. First, examine the packaging can - genuine products have clear printing without rough edges, and the sealing film on the lid is perfectly smooth. Smell is crucial; real engine oil has a faint mineral oil scent, while fakes either smell pungent or odorless. Shake it to observe bubbles - authentic oil forms fine, slow-dissipating bubbles. When pouring, check the fluidity; genuine oil coats the walls evenly like honey. The most telling test is freezing it for two hours - real oil maintains similar fluidity, while fakes become extremely viscous or even clump. I remember one counterfeit oil that turned toothpaste-thick after freezing. Of course, the safest method is scanning the anti-counterfeit code, and purchasing from official channels gives most peace of mind.
Working in a repair shop for a long time, you develop a feel for engine oil. Genuine full synthetic oil feels exceptionally smooth when rubbed between fingers, while counterfeit products have a grainy texture. Color is also telling—freshly opened oil appears clear and bright, though used oil can't be compared this way. When checking the seal, I usually scrape the anti-counterfeiting layer with a fingernail; only if it scrapes off revealing an intact QR code is it genuine. After opening, pay attention to the bottle's mouth sealing film—authentic products have a heat-sealed film that fits snugly, whereas fakes often show wrinkles. Pouring it into a transparent cup makes comparisons clearer: genuine oil has good light transmission without impurities. If anything seems off, immediately conduct a drip test—real oil spreads on tissue paper with distinct, clear rings. A reminder to everyone: don't chase cheap deals, as counterfeit rates are higher for well-known brands.
