Where is the Engine Oil Identification Agency?
3 Answers
Oil testing centers are third-party analytical testing service providers in China. Here is the relevant introduction: Engine oil color: Imported engine oil is golden yellow with a slight blue tint, crystal clear and transparent. Genuine bulk engine oil is mostly light blue with bright luster and uniform flow. Any oil with uneven color or abnormal streaks during flow is counterfeit or deteriorated oil, and using such oil will severely damage the engine. Observing engine oil: Conduct an oil drop test by placing a drop of oil from the oil pan on white paper and observing the oil drop. If the center of the oil drop has a large black spot, appearing dark brown and uniform without particles, with minimal yellow infiltration around it, it indicates the oil has deteriorated and should be replaced. If the center black spot is small and lighter in color with a larger surrounding yellow infiltration mark, it indicates the oil is still usable.
I'm quite qualified to talk about finding oil testing agencies, since two years ago I almost ruined my engine with substandard oil. Reliable institutions mainly fall into three categories: First, national-level testing centers like local quality inspection institutes' petrochemical labs - they have professional equipment with CMA certification. Last time I spent 500 yuan for a comprehensive test there. Second, third-party testing companies like SGS or CTI - just check their official websites for branches, and make sure they have CNAS accreditation. Third, large chain auto repair shops like Tuhu can perform on-site spectrometer tests that give results in 20 minutes without sample delivery. My most practical advice is to directly call the local 12365 quality supervision hotline and ask them to recommend the nearest certified institution. Don't trust those roadside shops with their cheap rapid test pens - the accuracy is terrible.
Last week, I just helped a friend with motor oil testing, and the channels are actually more diverse than you might think. The simplest way is to open a map app and search for 'petroleum product quality testing.' Legitimate institutions usually indicate their testing qualifications in their business registration information. I often go to a lab under Sinopec, which has a public service window. You can bring a 100ml oil sample for basic testing, costing around 300 yuan. If you're after authority, I recommend checking the list of certified institutions published on the local Market Supervision Administration website. For example, provincial quality inspection institutes usually have qualifications for petrochemical product testing. However, remember to call ahead for an appointment if you're sending samples as an individual, as some institutions only accept corporate orders. Oh, and don’t take shortcuts by using Taobao mail-in testing services—shipping can easily contaminate the samples.
