Car oils and everything you need to know about motor oils. Engine oils: anti-counterfeit protection Additional protective measures

It is quite obvious that, taking into account the above information, every responsible car owner pays increased attention to the issue of oil selection. Understanding that errors increase the risk of wear on the internal combustion engine greatly complicates the process of selecting oils.

Naturally, when searching for the best lubricant, maximum attention is focused on viscosity, certification, API classification, ACEA, manufacturer selection, etc. We note right away that non-compliance with any parameters or a one-time use of oil, which may not have separate tolerances, is far from always critical for the motor.

Much more important is another fact that is often completely overlooked. It's about crafts. If you pour counterfeit into the motor, then the damage to the engine can be enormous, since a fake can even quickly send a new or fully serviceable motor for repair or scrap.

Next, we intend to talk about how not to buy fake motor oil, as well as what you need to pay attention to when buying it. Advice and guidance will also be given on where and how best to purchase lubricants.

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Original motor oil: myths and reality

To begin with, a fake product can turn out to be either cheap motor oil (for example, mineral water in a canister from under the road), or a liquid of unknown origin, which only looks like a lubricant in appearance. If in the first case there is still a chance to save the motor if a problem is detected in a timely manner, in the second case, the operation of the internal combustion engine on such a liquid leads to an urgent need for a major overhaul.

So, the risks are clear. Now let's look at a few common misconceptions. First of all, many drivers believe that it makes no sense to fake expensive oil from world famous brands in terms of economic benefits. The main argument is that it is too difficult and expensive to make fake containers in artisanal conditions. As practice shows, this statement is true, but only partially.

The fact is that the buying up of empty original containers is actively practiced in the car markets. Further, either the cheapest oil, or a liquid that is not a lubricant at all, is poured into the canisters. The option of mixing a small amount of quality oil with cheaper options can also be used.

Then, a small amount of counterfeit is “thrown” into the total mass of branded goods. We are not talking about fakes on an industrial scale, but this is quite enough for a few unscrupulous sellers to get additional profit.

It turns out that we can conclude that both middle-class oils and top products turn out to be fakes. We also add that the most popular and well-known products among domestic consumers are most often counterfeited (for example, Liquid Molly, Shell oil, original Ford engine oil, GM 5w30 dexos2 oil for Opel and Chevrolet models, etc.)

Now consider another common myth. Some drivers are firmly convinced that motor oil, which is sold in tin containers, cannot be fake. The basis for this assertion is that the production of such iron containers is expensive.

In practice, unfortunately, the situation is somewhat different. Quite often, it is on iron cans, in which very expensive Japanese motor oil is mainly packaged (for example, ENEOS, the popular Nissan 5W40 oil, etc.), that information regarding the expiration date, date of manufacture of the product, etc. is completely absent.

It is quite obvious that the original lubricant simply cannot leave the factory without a batch number, a date of manufacture of the product, and an expiration date. It turns out that counterfeit products were also sold in iron containers.

How not to buy fake motor oil

Let's start with general recommendations. First of all, pay attention to the canister. The container should not be transparent. This means that the oil level in the canister should only be viewed on a special measuring ruler, which is made on the container.

1. You need to inspect the seams of the canister. These connections must be neat, even, without defects. The plastic itself, from which the canister is made, must be smooth, without shells, noticeable differences in color between the parts of the canister, without pimples on the plastic, etc.
2. Next, check the label. The specified element must be evenly and well glued (without distortions, swelling, delamination). The fonts on the label must be even, clear, the inscriptions must be free of errors.
3. The next step is to inspect the lid. The cover must be tightly closed and securely pressed against the retaining ring. The ring itself should be pressed tightly against the neck of the canister. We add that manufacturers of oils for protection also carry out special engravings on the lids, a special hologram is glued to the canister or lid, etc.
4. Separately, you should read the information about the date of manufacture of the product and its expiration dates. The date must be clearly and completely printed, down to the second. No scuffs or smudges are allowed.

As you can see, before buying oil, you need to carefully study its packaging. Now we go further. If we take into account that scammers buy up the original empty containers, then it becomes clear that the lid can most often give out a fake. The fact is that in many cases the neck of the canister turns out to be very suspiciously clogged.

• For example, a comparative analysis of a fake Shell oil canister with the original reveals noticeable differences. The original has a characteristic sealing mustache on the lid, with the help of which it is possible to achieve a reliable fixation of the cork on the neck of the canister. Fake oil does not have such tendrils, the lid is held only by the fact that it is simply glued on.

You also need to inspect the seam of the canister, evaluate the gap between the neck and the lid. The original should not have gaps, the seams of the canister are neat. Another feature in relation to Shell and oils of this brand for Russia and a number of other CIS countries is that the place of manufacture on the packaging should be the Russian Federation, not the EU.

Note that there are often fakes that are more difficult to identify by the lid and canister. The fact is that the attackers first drain the original oil from the canister and then sell it according to certain schemes.

At the same time, during draining, the lid on the canister is not completely unscrewed, that is, the factory seal is preserved. After that, fake is poured into the canister. Such fakes are often found among popular Mobil products (for example, Mobil 3000 5w40, etc.).

• Scammers are also actively counterfeiting common Castrol brand oils. The reason is quite understandable, since this product is expensive in the original, proven and in demand, and enjoys a good reputation among consumers.

Unscrupulous businessmen massively purchase empty containers from Castrol oil in the auto markets and service stations, canister lids are made independently or suitable options are purchased separately. Special equipment can even be purchased to seal these covers. In such a situation, even experienced motorists with experience often become victims of scammers.

In order not to buy a fake, a comparative analysis again helps. As you know, Castrol oils have red caps, on which special ribs are made. These ribs are needed so that fingers do not slip, that is, it was convenient to unscrew the lid by hand.

So, non-original covers differ in that the ribs on them are very tonic. This feature must be taken into account when buying oils of this brand. Also, the oils of this brand should have Castrol inscriptions on the cap and on the retaining ring. The absence of engraving will indicate that the product is not original.

We add that if the canister and the lid do not cause suspicion in appearance, then experienced car owners practice another way to check. More precisely, counterfeit can be distinguished by smell.

To do this, you need to ask the distributor to unscrew the cover a little without damaging the seals. After that, the canister leans neck down. The original engine oil has a light, pleasant and barely perceptible "mild" smell. Counterfeit in some cases smells unpleasant, sharp and strong.

The disadvantage of this method can be considered that not all sellers agree to such manipulations. Also, many manufacturers additionally clog the canister already under the lid, which makes it impossible to evaluate the liquid by smell without completely removing the lid and breaking the seals.

What is the result

So, you need to approach the issue of buying engine oil with full responsibility. Remember, any brand and brand of oil can be counterfeit, both in a plastic liter canister and in an iron can with a large volume.

You should not opt ​​for a product that does not have the proper presentation (the canister is worn, does not look like a new factory container, there are suspicious nuances in the lid area, etc.). The sealing antennae should be clearly visible on the lid and the ring, the soldering under the neck should be factory-made. The shape, color and execution of the lid itself should also not cause any complaints.

In the current situation, the best approach can be considered as when the consumer takes an empty canister from the proven original oil before buying. This method is well suited in cases where, for example, Motul oil is constantly poured into the engine, the driver uses Mobil or Total oil, while switching to another type and brand of lubricant is not currently planned.

Further, a comparative analysis of the already existing canister and containers with fresh oil is carried out right on the spot. At the same time, keep in mind that a fake in some cases is still extremely difficult to distinguish from the original.

The fact is that some scammers use expensive equipment that allows them to achieve high quality printing, clog covers as close as possible to the original, etc. The risks can be reduced by buying oil only at authorized points of sale, from official dealers (for example, original VAG or Honda oil can always be bought at service stations from officials), as well as from trusted private sellers with a good reputation.

This means that you should not immediately go to the car market and buy lubricant at the first kiosk you come across, where you were offered the best price. Before buying, it is advisable to separately study the website of the oil manufacturer, contact regional representatives and clarify which points of sale are official (from small stores to dealerships or large retail chains).

Read also

Viscosity of engine oil, what is the difference between oils with a viscosity index of 5w40 and 5w30. What kind of lubricant is better to fill in the engine in winter and summer, tips and tricks.

How to choose the right engine oil for an old internal combustion engine or engine with a mileage of more than 150-200 thousand km. What you need to pay attention to, useful tips.

In September last year, in Khakassia, more than 1.3 thousand liters of motor oils with signs of counterfeiting were seized from a large store with a total value of 790 thousand rubles.

In December, in the Solnechnogorsk district of the Moscow region, employees of the GUEBiPK of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia stopped the activities of four clandestine factories producing counterfeit motor oils from leading world manufacturers. It was one of the largest operations in recent times: about 70 tons of oil products and more than 80,000 containers of finished products were found at the enterprise.

As you can see, the statistics are disappointing. Everyone suffers from counterfeiting - both manufacturers, who lose profits, and consumers. Counterfeit engine oil can cause serious engine problems, which means enormous damage to the motorist's budget.

Oil harmful to engine health

To understand how fake engine oil can harm your car's engine, let's remember why it is needed in principle. Usually, oil performs several functions at the same time: it reduces friction between rubbing parts, reduces their wear, protects against corrosion, cools, and also cleans engine parts.

Fake motor oil is, at best, a cheap analogue with reduced quality characteristics, at worst, a mixture of industrial oil and cheap grease for trucks and tractors, or even completely used motor oil.

It is not difficult to guess that the surrogate causes great harm to the engine. Firstly, due to low-quality additives (if they are present at all), the fake becomes liquid at high temperatures, so the parts are poorly lubricated and wear out quickly.

Secondly, a fake contributes to the corrosion of internal parts, which causes engine pollution and a fairly quick (after 20–30 thousand km) failure.

Choice without risk

How to protect yourself from fakes and choose high-quality motor oil? When buying, you should focus on several important criteria.

Package. It must have all degrees of protection, which can be found on the website of the engine oil manufacturer. But here it is necessary to remember that expensive well-known brands are counterfeited most often. A fake may look like the original, because for the sake of the huge profit that this business brings, scammers are ready to master security technologies.

In addition, most brands of motor oils are sold, and therefore faked,in plastic containers. Therefore, it makes sense to pay attention to metal packaging,which is almost impossible to fake. By the way, there are not so many products in such packaging on the shelves.One of the few is a manufacturerRolf Lubricants, which represents a line of motor oils under the ROLF brand.The release of products for the Russian market is carried out only in metal cans. And this a balanced decision of the manufacturer, who understands that it is in Russia that the problem of fakes is acute. It is impossible to repeat or fake a metal canister of ROLF motor oils. Such packaging guarantees 100% the purchase of a high-quality product.

Price. The more promoted the brand, the more expensive it is and the more confidence it should inspire in the consumer. This means that such a brand is the main target for criminals. The buyer should always be wary of the too low cost of expensive oil. However, an adequate price for the reasons described above does not always guarantee that you are not a surrogate. And there are two ways out: buy elite motor oil only from trusted sellers and at the appropriate price, or pay attention to the middle price segment, which is of less interest to counterfeit manufacturers. In this sense, ROLF engine oil is also a good alternative to expensive brands.

In no way inferior in terms of technical characteristics to branded counterparts, ROLF perfectly copes with all the functions of engine oil and ensures productive engine operation for a long time.

ROLF Products complies with certifications API (American Petroleum Institute) And ACEA (Association des Constracteurs Europeens des Automobiles).The manufacturer's line includes both summer and winter, as well as all-weather oils, products for gasoline and diesel engines. To date, there are 12 basic positions of ROLF oils.

The most important thing is that when buying ROLF engine oil in a metal canister, you can be 100% sure that the product is genuine.

All eminent motor manufacturers value their reputation. It is completely unprofitable for them that the quality of their products falls, a large number of negative reviews and dissatisfied customers appear. Therefore, they try to do everything possible to prevent such situations. ZIC is no exception. One of the main problems is a large number of counterfeit products. In the case of fake oils are not uncommon, companies also have to deal with underground manufacturers. It is almost impossible to eradicate the scammers themselves. Therefore, the only effective solution to the problem is the creation of reliable protection against fakes. For this, special packaging production technologies are being developed, certain product characteristics are given so that buyers have the opportunity to distinguish the original from the fake even before purchasing a canister of liquid.

The buyer should be able to distinguish the original fake ZIC oil.

Authentication

The desire to fake ZIK oil is due to the popularity of this lubricant. This is the main source of problems for large and well-known companies. The higher the demand for the product, the more likely it is to encounter a fake. This situation is explained very simply. Fraudsters are interested in counterfeiting products that can be easily sold. After all, if consumers trust a particular brand, they will definitely buy it. But little-known firms that have not reached the peak of their popularity or are just entering a large market are often not interested in fraudsters, since the level of demand for such products will be very low. The first thing the buyer must check in time is the authenticity of the container in which the working fluid is sold. There are several ways to check the oil for authenticity in just one container.

The buyer should pay attention to:

• polyethylene provided on the lid in the original packaging;
• container material;
• quality of plastic and its casting;
• label;
• hologram;
• engraving;
• identification code;
• measuring scale.

Let's go through all the characteristic features and distinctive features of the container separately. This will allow you, even before the very fact of buying for a car, and not pay in vain for counterfeit products.

Distinctive characteristics

Every motorist knows how important consumables play for the correct, safe and trouble-free operation of the machine. Therefore, when choosing ZIK oil, you should carefully study the packaging and rely on all the characteristic distinguishing features of the original container. If you fill in a fake, which happens not so rarely in our time, despite all the efforts of the manufacturer, the elements of the car increase, its breakdown and further expensive repairs.

In order not to run into a fake ZIC oil, try to give enough time to the process of choosing a working fluid. Take your time, do not hesitate to ask the seller questions and refuse to buy if something bothers you. This is your legal right as a consumer. As well as the right to return goods in case you doubt the quality or authenticity of the purchased product.

Now let's look at the main characteristics of the ZIK oil container, by which you can identify a fake and find a real original working fluid of a well-known brand.

1. Manufacturing material. To begin with, remember that after the rebranding carried out in 2015 at ZIK, it was decided to abandon the use of metal. Therefore, only the old canisters that were stale on the shelves of sellers are made of metal. All modern containers, with the exception of the largest canisters for wholesale buyers, are made of plastic. If you see a standard 4 liter metal container, then you have a fake or an old, stale product. It is better for you to refuse both options, since it is recommended to fill the car with only the freshest possible working fluids.
2. Manufacturing quality. Experienced motorists do not have any particular problems with how to distinguish fake ZIC oil in plastic. Often scammers do not really think about the quality of the packaging, leaving various irregularities on the packaging, inaccurate soldering points of two halves, burrs and other defects. Therefore, the first thing you need to do is take ZIK oil in your hands, feel the canister, check it for workmanship. If you find different irregularities, then you have a fake. All original canisters undergo rigorous quality control, therefore, on real ZIC containers, such irregularities are excluded.
   
3. Thermal film. A fake ZIC oil can be identified by it. The presence of polyethylene on the lid is necessarily provided by the ZIK plant. The thermal film is placed on the neck of the container and the logo is always applied. If there is no SK Lubrikans inscription on it, then we hasten to upset you, because this is an obvious fake. The advantage is that you can check the presence of the film without buying a product. This film allows you to protect canisters from forgery and additionally prevent accidental unscrewing of the lid. Dual functionality aimed at customers.
4. Disposable skirt. It is provided on the lid of the canister. When unscrewing, this element remains on the neck. And already under the lid you will find a special foil. The logo on it is the same as on the thermal film. Its presence is mandatory. If the foil is missing or there is no inscription, this is not the original, but a fake composition. Therefore, it is better to refuse its use.
   
5. Labels. Suppose that you bought yourself a canister of oil from the South Korean manufacturer ZIC, found a lid with all the engravings, a metal container. And it has a label on it. Gently glued, evenly located on the surface of the package. And here you need to stop and put the canister in place. There are no paper labels in the original packaging applied to the container with glue or any other materials. For real containers of this oil manufacturer, information is applied directly to the material of the canister itself. And it does not matter whether it is metal in large containers or modern plastic that appeared after the rebranding.
6. Inscriptions. Often scammers rely on the inattention of buyers and the sellers themselves, through which the goods are sold. Therefore, the label must be studied not only by the method of its application, but also by the very information that is provided there. It happens that in non-original containers there is no information on expiration dates, the letters in the names change, or the original product name is supplemented with additional characters. We recommend that you study the data on the packaging and compare the product names with the information provided on the official website of the company. See what oils ZIC produces and how they are spelled correctly. If you see that the data does not match even one letter, you have a fake.
   

At first glance, most of you will think that the presented distinctive features are enough to identify counterfeit products and original ZIK engine oil. But the manufacturer does not stop there, because fraudsters regularly find new solutions and workarounds to counterfeit the product anyway and present it on the market under the loud and sought-after name ZIC.

Additional protective measures

In order to protect customers from non-original goods as much as possible, ZIK specialists are developing new methods of protection against fakes. You must understand that only the care and responsibility of the buyer himself can avoid buying counterfeit oil. Yes, ZIC enterprises try to make the maximum number of security signs and distinctive features. But if you do not pay attention to them, then avoiding the use of low-grade oil will be problematic.

It is easy to guess that the original ZIC oil works much better, ensures reliable and long-term operation of all engine components. If you fill in a fake, this leads to rapid wear, serious damage and costly repairs. If you know how to distinguish fakes from original formulations, then all this can be avoided.

The following can be distinguished as additional protection measures by which the original is determined.

If the authenticity check has been successfully passed, you can start filling ZIK oil into the crankcase of your car's engine. Some doubt to the last whether they have chosen the right oil and whether the words of the seller correspond to reality. Indeed, it often happens that we trust store employees, and do not try to verify the originality of the oil on our own. This is a common phenomenon that is difficult to deal with.

In order to finally verify the complete safety and originality of the selected working fluid from ZIK, we will conduct a few more simple tests and tests. They will let you know if you did everything right, or if you have a well-made fake in your hands.

1. Price issue. All kinds of promotions, unique offers and reduced prices always play against the buyer. Blinded by discounts, we buy a product and do not think why the manufacturer suddenly showed such generosity. The very fact of shares from ZIK cannot be ruled out. But their oils are by no means cheap, so if the price is too low, you should have suspicions about the authenticity of the product. If the price is reduced by more than 1/4 of the original cost, then it is better not to take this oil. It may turn out to be original, but old, stale on the shelves. The seller just needs to implement it. Or it is a fake, for the sale of which customers are "blurred" with a low price.
2. Color. If the package is already open, you can identify the original by smell and color. We have already talked about the aroma. As for the color, in the original it is always golden or light yellow. If you find darker shades, there is a high probability that you have counterfeit products.
3. Frost resistance. The test can be carried out at home if it is possible to create an appropriate temperature regime. The real composition from ZIK begins to become cloudy only at temperatures from -32 degrees Celsius, but the fluidity remains unchanged. When the oil darkens earlier or begins to thicken, it is definitely a fake.
4. Bursts. The test is extremely simple and can be carried out in the store itself. Take the container in your hands and shake it. If you hear splashes, then you should not buy such oil. In the original container, the composition cannot flop.

All these tips will help you make the right purchase and fill your engine oil sump with original oil from a well-known manufacturer. Always count on yourself, come to the store prepared and do not think that the sellers always understand everything, and they are not interested in selling counterfeit products. It is best to buy such consumables for a car in certified stores, through official representatives who have the relevant documents for the sale of ZIC products.

Toyota vehicles are popular in all countries. They are valued for reliability and comfort. For their cars, the manufacturer produces its own branded product. But the scammers got their bearings quickly, and a fake Toyota 5W30 oil appeared on the market - low-grade and not meeting the expected characteristics.

Quality is key

The engine systems of Japanese cars are demanding on engine lubrication. And as a fact, in addition to the "Toyota" oil formulations, it is better not to use other varieties. To make Japanese oils recognizable all over the world, American experts have formed a new classification - ILSAC. The standard monitors the compliance of the composition with the declared properties, and the manufacturer has the right to obtain a license.

Lubricants have the following properties:

• Excellent wear resistance;
• Excellent flushing performance, including soot and soot;
• Anti-corrosion properties;
• The viscosity of the oil allows you to start the car engine in the cold season;
• Unique antioxidant properties, which increases the service life of the oil;
• Reduced friction of mechanisms and parts of the power unit system, which saves fuel.

The car oil base is produced in a special way, namely by deep hydrocracking. The oil is unique, as the composition contains special additives that give it special quality indicators and properties. It is important to know that Toyota oil is suitable for many propulsion systems. It can be used in cars, trucks and passenger vehicles.

You can often meet a fake of Toyota branded engine oil. This is due to its great popularity. An ordinary car enthusiast often faces the problem of how to identify a branded product from a surrogate. After all, the use of low-quality lubricants has a very negative effect - the resource of a car engine is sharply reduced and goes out of working condition.

The lubricant market is full of fake products, including the Toyota brand with the designation 5W30. The main sign of a fake is the price. You should always remember that it cannot be extremely low. Many motorists fall for the bait of scammers just because of the tempting cost of the oil element. It is worth noting that in practice, Toyota liter cans of oil are not faked, as this is not beneficial to attackers. Therefore, it is better to buy oil in a smaller volume.

If we conduct research and compare how the original packaging differs from counterfeit packaging, we will get several criteria:

Label

In the brand sample, all labels are glued with high quality, without blots. The contrast is rich, the font is clear, without flaws. In a fake, the quality of the packaging is lame, there are defects. For example, the Toyota symbol on a corporate sample is obtained without a pink overflow, but it is present on a fake. You can easily check this, you only need a degreaser and rags. If you wipe the sticker, the original one will not succumb to mechanical and chemical attack, and the paint of a counterfeit product can easily come off.

Cork

There is an engraving on the branded container, which shows the correct diagram of how to open the cap. Counterfeit has a lid with a smooth, even surface.

Back label

The counterfeit often reveals minor flaws. For example, informational text often contains typos or grammatical errors, which simply does not occur in texts from a self-respecting company.

Geographic factor

An important aspect of originality is the country of production. For example, Toyota Engine Oil 5W40 is produced in the European Union. Responsibly, there is a clarification "Made in EU". Usually the country of origin is Italy. In most cases, a counterfeit indicates that the product is made in France (despite the fact that Toyota oil is not produced in this country).

If Toyota lubricant has already been purchased, then authenticity is checked by freezing. It is necessary to pour a little oil and put in the freezer for two to three hours. Then you should remove the oil and check the liquid for fluidity. The fake thickens a lot, and the original remains unchanged. This can be easily explained, because the attackers pour a low-grade and cheap lubricant into the packaging.

Metal container

Toyota lubricant is available both in canisters and iron cans. The metal container is typical for the composition of Toyota 5W30. This grease is produced exclusively in a red-silver metal package. Usually, the volume is 4 liters. It is important to carefully examine the manufacturer's index, the bank should be: ExxonMobil Yugen Kaisha Co., Ltd, Tokyo 108-80005. It is very important.

Don't skimp on quality products. You should always pay attention to the price - cheap oil should be alarming.