What are the methods to distinguish between genuine and fake automotive engine oil?

[VonDaniel]

Here are the detailed methods to distinguish between genuine and fake automotive engine oil: Check the packaging of the engine oil: Genuine engine oil usually has neat and well-made packaging, while fake engine oil often has rough packaging with blurred fonts. Additionally, genuine engine oil has a sealing tin foil at the oil opening, which bears special marks from the respective manufacturer. Examine the appearance of the oil: Genuine oil is light in color, transparent, free of impurities, suspended particles, or sediments, and flows well when shaken. The color of genuine oil is much darker than that of fake oil. Smell the oil and feel its texture: Genuine oil has a mild smell, while fake oil has a strong and irritating odor. Under the same viscosity grade, genuine oil feels less sticky, whereas fake oil feels stickier and may exhibit a stringy or fibrous texture when touched. Consider the price of the engine oil: The price of genuine engine oil usually does not vary significantly. If the price of an oil product is drastically different from others, it is likely to be fake.

[ODallas]

I've been driving used cars for almost twenty years and have learned a lot about buying engine oil. To distinguish between genuine and fake products, the first trick is to carefully examine the packaging. Genuine products have finely printed labels with uniform fonts and no rough edges, tightly sealed with no leaks, and consistent, clear batch numbers and production dates. Fake ones often have blurry prints or garbled dates. The second trick is to smell it—unscrew the cap and take a whiff. Genuine engine oil usually has no smell or a faint, clean fragrance, while fake oil may have a pungent chemical or sour odor. The third step is to check the anti-counterfeiting measures—scan the QR code or enter the serial number on the official website for verification. Genuine products will show complete records. Fourth, pay attention to the price—genuine engine oil has a certain cost, and if you see a Taobao special offer at half the market price, it's likely a scam. Finally, I recommend buying only from 4S shops or brand-authorized stores—don’t trust roadside stalls. Engine repairs are expensive and troublesome. Always check when changing the oil—it saves both peace of mind and money.