Toyota engine oil: how to cover up a dream engine?

After reading this article, you will get a fairly complete and sufficient idea for the average car user about the line of original engine oils intended for use in Toyota cars. Given the main topic of this story, we will not touch on the abstruse and useless characteristics of oils, such as tolerances. And this is no coincidence. Not belonging to the supporters of a strict separation of oils of one type according to tolerances, in view of the prevailing subjective opinion that all modern high-quality oils duly take into account the features of the operation of gasoline and diesel engines (unless the regulations for each specific case provide for a strict separation into diesel or gasoline engines), I must admit that we Drivers must have some understanding of the viscosity of oils and the reasons for their existence as a characteristic of engine oil and their optimal use. Depending on the conditions of use of the car and the degree of wear of its units. And this, in my opinion, is all that you need and need to know when using engine lubricants. In some cases, tolerances can also come in handy ... but only when choosing an alternative to original oils. And by the way, we will also reflect on this here.

Another topic that has become very relevant in recent years is fake Toyota motor oils, or, simply put, counterfeit. I confess that we have seen enough in this part over the past 2 years - we saw the birth of the era of counterfeiting, its peak and ... and the lack of prospects for the end of this era! Sounds like a judgment? Fatalism? In no case! This is a bare fact from which we, motorists, must draw some conclusions for ourselves. However, first things first.

So, let's start with diferambs ... With a clear conscience, in this article I want to express my own opinion, confirmed by years and people, that Toyota oil is one of the best original oils sold on our market. In order to give you, the readers, at least some confirmation that this opinion is sincere, I will inform you that I drive a Chrysler car, a purebred American. And, despite all the appearance of bewilderment on many people's faces, I have been using Toyota engine oils for many years and kilometers - 0w30 in the cold season, and 5w40 in the summer. By the way, the choice of viscosity is also not accidental. But more on that later, or maybe within the framework of the next topic - what to pour into a Toyota Corolla or what to pour into a Toyota Camry, or in general, what kind of oil to pour into a Toyota. Most likely it will be so - we will single it out in a separate article so as not to clutter up this article on the types and characteristics of Toyota motor oils that lubricate our engine market.

Well, after such a long introduction-announcement, let's get down to the main topic of the story. First of all, let's start with the container. Toyota motor oils are supplied to the market of the Russian Federation exclusively in plastic canisters with a capacity of 1 l, 5 l, and metal barrels for the needs of service enterprises and large car owners serving fleets of several dozen cars. There are exceptions in the container only in minor nomenclature positions, quite expensive, associated with transmissions and differentials and power steering fluids. But we will talk about them later, in subsequent articles. Any other oil offered to you in cans or plastic bags with holes is a danger zone! There is an opinion that tin cans are too expensive to manufacture, and therefore such oils are not counterfeited ... well, what can I say, people who say so simply have no idea what miracles magicians-alchemists work in China in industrial cluster cities! No, of course, it is worth agreeing that the risk of buying a counterfeit tin is somewhat, or even significantly lower than in a plastic one ... but nevertheless, the risk remains realistic! You can say that it is smaller, but you can’t say that it doesn’t exist at all!

Countries of production - everything officially supplied to Russia comes from the EU. There are 2 main producing countries in the EU for Toyota motor oils - Belgium and France. Someone can immediately say: “Oh, okay! But what about Germany?!” Oh yes, Germany is indeed a major supplier of oils throughout the EU and even the world. But, this is true for Shell / Castrol group oils, but not for the production of oils for the Japanese car range. So let's focus on France and Belgium in the interests of the commodity group under consideration - Toyota engine oils.

Well, let's proceed directly to the oils officially offered for sale on the territory of the Russian Federation. In order not to bother people with a lack of time and a lack of desire to reach the end, we will start with the top list of the list and work our way down based on popularity.

Motor oil Toyota 5w40 . The undisputed, undisputed leader in the Toyota engine oil market. Excellent, and it can be said that the best price / quality ratio in the product line of lubricants for modern engines. It was supplied to our market in the following containers and under the following original numbers: Toyota engine oil in a 5 liter plastic canister. Until about mid-2015, this same oil went under the original number without the GO prefix at the end. According to unconfirmed data, but repeatedly mentioned by various persons associated with official dealers, the prefix appeared when the title of the main, in terms of production, plant in the EU moved from Belgium to France. What does this information give us today? The fact that if you are offered oil with a number without GO at the end, then this is one of two - counterfeit, which is the most likely case, or oil that has been in storage for more than a year ... The first is sad, the second ... although not fatal, but still it’s like a slightly stale bread - you can eat it, but still it’s not fresh already ...

Younger brother toyota oil 5w40- these are liter canisters, no less common and no less popular! Modern number of Toyota 5w40 engine oil in liter cans or. Old oil numbers respectivelyor . The story about the GO prefix and the cases of its absence was outlined a little higher, so we will not focus on this more. I want to note an interesting fact - at one time, when I realized that the market was full of fake Toyota oil, my first reaction was to buy only liter cans of oil, because. the chance of getting a counterfeit product here is also low as in the case of buying one in a tin. And many of my colleagues did the same. Why I will tell you this a little later, in the second article on counterfeit oil.

The final link for this oil is Toyota oil in an industrial metal barrel - 208 liters. The original number of such oil or. Unfortunately, due to the perfect match of the format of barrels from different manufacturers and the difference only in the stickers and the color of the coating on the outer surface of the barrel, this type of Toyota engine oil container also fell into the counterfeit risk zone. Yes, such barrels were forged and restored (they took barrels from dealers and poured cheaper oils into them for further resale). Fortunately, due to the specifics of this heading, our turnover was insignificant - literally 4-5 barrels per month, this position did not have any particular negative value for business. Interestingly, this type of container was also taken from us by "physicists"! We were often interested in playful turns “whether they will crack from such volumes”, but in 2 cases out of three we heard about the installation of barrels in garage cooperatives for 5-10 cars in a clubbing ... Directly collective purchases, what can I say! But, of course, I was glad that even though we didn’t make much money on such sales, people even in the worst years trusted us and bought oils without fear of pouring tar into the engine. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them again for their trust, because many of them are still with us and read my writings.

The second most popular Toyota oil is a product with a viscosity of 0w30. In modern conditions, this is one of the most successful oils in its galaxy with a similar viscosity. If you look at the market for this oil characteristic, you will notice an interesting detail - the almost complete absence of price competition. Wherever you look, which brand you take, oils with a viscosity of 0w30 cost the same money or even more. This is primarily due to two factors. First, the features of the production process. I believe that many have seen or heard from the corner of their ear that pure 100% synthetics on the market are actually only 2-3 oils. The rest, although proudly called synthetics, is still a mixture of mineral and synthetic bases. In fact, there is a separation of oils in the industry: conditionally, synthetics include oils with a ratio of mineral and synthetic bases of less than 2 to 5. That is, everything that is less than 30% consists of a mineral base is recognized for the purposes of using synthetics. I want to make a reservation right away that these ratios are conditional, to demonstrate the essence of the division.

But back to toyota engine oil 0w30. The origin of the oil, or the country of production, is exactly the same as 5 w 40. Original oil number, currently in circulation . We've heard it somewhere before, so we won't repeat it. Old oil number and without GO. The container of this type of oil is exactly the same as that of 5w40. In the course of canisters of 5l (), 1 liter - and 208 liters in an industrial barrel (). What can be said about the consumer characteristics of this oil? More than acceptable! Provided that you do not run into a fake, of course. I would like to say that there are a lot of tests and comparisons of oils on the Internet - it is not difficult for anyone who is curious to find them. They were frozen, set on fire, sniffed, looked into the light ... well, in general, they didn’t do anything! But the opinion still remained positive about the oil, and this cannot but please me personally, as its recidivist consumer. As I said earlier, I use this type of oil in the cold winter season and 5w40 in the warm season.

Well, the last 2 types of oil, about which not much is known for certain. Moreover, my personal meeting with them was accidental - while receiving documents for purchased consumables at one of the official Toyota dealers, I saw 2 types of oil that were new to me on the showcase on the trading floor. The situation was comical for me in that shortly before that, I personally convinced my client that such an oil does not exist, and 5w40 oil is pouring for everyone. The client claimed that they were pouring into his car ... 5 w thirty! Is the customer always right?

So, we bring to your attention toyota engine oil 5w30!!! The country of origin coincides with the main two types of oil described above, as well as "tare" habits. Oil is supplied to us in plastic jars of 5 liters (), 1 liter () and .... that's it! There are no barrels of 200 liters even at Toyota's CA today. Please note that the numbers of this oil do not have the prefix GO. Apparently, due to the uniqueness of this oil for its intended purpose, it is still produced at the base Toyota plant in Belgium. But, so far, data confirming, as well as refuting, have not come into our hands. A little higher, I mentioned the term "uniqueness" in relation to this oil. What is its essence? Let's shed some light on this too! Firstly, this oil is designed for use in vehicles with diesel particulate filters, which leads us to think about ... diesel engines and the history of this oil as an answer to the challenges of the European Commission with its environmental directives - Give clean air through maximum exhaust purification! !! Well, this is probably the reason why this type of product has not been supplied and is not yet supplied in 200 liter barrels. Let's be honest, Russia and its inhabitants, both due to the size of the country and ... well, what is there, the small responsibility for the environment of both the state and each individual driver, do not really think about the purity of the exhaust ... and even fewer people from them are willing to pay more money for motor oil in order to support the very environment. And is Toyota 5 engine oil w 30 is even a little more expensive than “zero”, that is, much more expensive than, say, 5 w 40. Oh yeah, what's the second? This type of oil differs markedly from the main counterparts in the shape of a 5-liter can. It is more like oils from another Japanese concern - Nissan. I would say that if you do not find fault with the color of the plastic, then the canister is essentially one to one. In general, a unique product for our market ... will it work, will it take root? Will show time!

And the last product in our educational program is Toyota 0w20 engine oil! Almost as much is known about this oil as about our previous object. The country of origin, judging by the obvious signs, coincides with our first heroes, as the GO prefix to the numbers confidently speaks of. And so, Toyota engine oil 0w20 5 liters =, Toyota engine oil 0w20 1 liter -, well, the industrial version of the container - 208 liters by number. The appearance of the canisters matches the oils 5w40 and 0 w 30, but the label is different in design. It clearly shows the abbreviations of energy conservation and hybrid engines. Let's face it, this is also a relatively new type of oil on our market, not particularly explored or tried. Why is he interesting? Well, of course, viscosity. If anyone has come across engines for American cars - GM, Ford, Chrysler ... perhaps they paid attention to the oil specification inscription poured on the engine itself. I emphasize, not the inscription on the label, but poured on the surface of the engine - 0w20! I have this on my own American, I also saw it on the latest generation Ford Esplorer. There is something in this oil for sure, because it is not for nothing that so much attention from automakers is paid to it. But we need our own practice, but it doesn’t exist yet ... and it’s not expected J So, dear readers, share, if possible, your observations and feelings from the experience of use. With pleasure, we will tell about them to the reading people.

All that I personally know at the moment is that Toyota 0w20 oil is intended for the most modern engines, for wide use, primarily in the latest turbocharged cars with modern types of electronically controlled injection. What will we learn about him tomorrow? ... then we will tell those who will be interested.

This concludes the topic here and return to the discussion of oils in the following epistolary parodies of technical documentation... See below what else you can read interesting.

Interesting

Any automaker is interested in high-quality technical fluids being poured into his cars. Engine oil in the first row of this list:

• the car is produced from the conveyor with oil in the crankcase;
• engine oil is changed regularly;
• poor-quality composition can quickly disable the engine.

Toyota cars are famous for their reliability, but even the best engine is powerless against counterfeit lubricants. Therefore, Toyota 5W40 oil has high performance characteristics and is well protected from fakes.

An interesting fact: automotive concerns do not produce lubricants themselves.

They enter into agreements with large refineries, and mark these products with their logo. Sometimes knowing the true history of production helps to avoid counterfeiting.

Who is the manufacturer of Toyota oil?

Despite the obvious geographical proximity of South Korea (a lot of branded oils are produced in this country), the Japanese concern has a multi-year contract with the French corporation Exxon Mobil. There is information that Toyota Corporation has its own production facilities for the production of oils.

This is true, but with certain reservations:

• the Toyota 5W40 oil bottling plant is nothing more than a branch of that same Exxon Mobil;
• oils produced in Japan are intended exclusively for the domestic market, and they can only get to the mainland in the crankcase of a car made on the islands.

note

If you get a bottle with the inscription made in Japan in your hands, with a high degree of probability it will be the original. It makes no sense to fake Japanese spill lubricants.

And here country of origin of oil Toyota Motor Europe, may be different. The fact is that the French concern Exxon Mobil has several geographically dispersed production structures built within the framework of EU cooperation. Therefore, Toyota 5W40 oil can be bottled in Belgium, Italy, Germany and France itself.

The contract is not limited only to the volume of deliveries. Toyota 5W40 engine oil was developed jointly by engineers from a Japanese automaker and a French oil company.

Toyota Motor Europe lubricants are designed specifically for the European market, taking into account typical operating conditions for the continent. The 5W40 article speaks of all-weather performance, and the tolerances allow the lubricant to be used not only in Japanese cars.

Oil applicability

The domestic consumer is interested in the possibility of using the product in various climatic conditions of Russia. There are practically no restrictions: the temperature range is from -30°C to +40°C.

The oil is primarily intended for Toyota cars, but it can be poured into any other car intended for the European market. It is not necessary to look for a certificate of conformity for a car brand.

Exxon Mobil products have high tolerance classes:

• ACEA: B3, B4, A3
• API: CF/SL

In addition, Toyota 5W40 engine oil is certified by car manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen. It can be used in both gasoline and diesel four-stroke engines, including those with turbocharging.

Specifications

The oil is produced from a base produced by hydrocracking. In fact, it is synthetic, in accordance with the new SAE labeling rules.

• SAE viscosity index = 5W-40
• kinematic viscosity according to the ASTM method (test temperature 40 ° C) = 60.5
• kinematic viscosity according to the ASTM method (test temperature 100°C) = 12
• dynamic viscosity (test temperature -30°C) = 6005
• absolute viscosity index = 151
• density according to the ASTM method (test temperature 20 ° C) = 858
• flash point in open cup = 217°C
• viscosity loss temperature (pour point) = -31°С
• base number = 6
• acid number = 1.55%
• sulfate ash content is not higher than 0.82%.

Why is this oil counterfeited?

High quality workmanship, and a direct relationship with the Toyota brand, has made this oil a popular product among car enthusiasts. And where there is demand, there is counterfeit supply.

At best, cheaper real oil is poured into canisters with the Toyota 5W40 engine oil logo. It is much worse if the canister contains purified waste, or no engine oil at all.

Given the jumps in the dollar and the euro (the original product is pegged to the currency), branded oil is moving into the category of luxury. Drivers start looking for a replacement.

In fairness, it should be noted that in "decent" auto stores, cases of acquiring fakes are rare. Most of the counterfeit goods are bought in the markets and roadside stalls.

How to distinguish a fake?

The manufacturer is also concerned about the increased number of counterfeit goods, which hurts the reputation. Therefore, a branded product has easily recognizable features.

The original Toyota 5W40 engine oil is available in high-quality plastic containers that are easily identified by touch. Just take an old canister (branded) with you for comparison.

The label is made with smooth color transitions and has no signs of rough processing in graphic editors. The text is clear, of the same size (within each block of information).

The cork on all branded canisters has one color, regardless of displacement. On top of the lid, there is a volumetric embossing (on a fake, the top is smooth).

And, finally, the main criterion for a licensed product is the availability of receipt documentation from the seller. No one will hide invoices if the goods are obtained legally.

For more information about the existing differences between the original and the fake, see this video

Type

The main advantage of mineral oil is its low price. It quickly thickens in the cold and requires more frequent replacement. "Synthetics" is much more stable than mineral oil during long-term engine operation, as well as at high and low temperatures, but it has a higher price. Semi-synthetic oil is a mixture of synthetic and mineral oils. In terms of its characteristics, it is superior to mineral, but at the same time it is cheaper than synthetic. When choosing the type of engine oil, you should follow the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer.

synthetic Packing volume 5 l Viscosity grade SAE

The first SAE viscosity number indicates low temperature viscosity, i.e. the ability of the oil to maintain its properties at low air temperatures. The smaller it is, the lower the potential minimum engine start temperature. The second number in the SAE designation is high temperature viscosity. This is a composite indicator characterizing the minimum and maximum viscosity at operating temperatures of 100-150 ° C. The higher this number, the higher the viscosity of the oil at high temperatures. You should purchase oil strictly of the viscosity recommended by the car manufacturer. Glossary of terms for the category Motor oils

5W-40 API class

The criteria for separating oils according to the API classification were the age and design level of the car engine. For example, API SC oils are designed for engines manufactured from 1964 to 1967; API SG - for engines from 1989 to 1993, API SJ - for engines from 1996. Oils for the latest engines are classified as API SN. When selecting oil for this parameter, you should follow the recommendations of the car manufacturer. Glossary of terms for the category Motor oils

SL ACEA class

Classification of motor oils by performance properties, developed by the Association of European Automobile Manufacturers ACEA. А/В - engine oils for gasoline engines and diesel engines of cars, vans, minibuses. C - engine oils for gasoline and diesel engines with catalysts. E - engine oils for heavy-duty diesel engines. The number indicates the year the category was introduced. When selecting oil for this parameter, you should follow the recommendations of the car manufacturer. Glossary of terms for the category Motor oils

A3, B3, B4 Engine petrol, diesel engine's type

Every motorist knows how important engine oil is in the operation of the main power unit of a car - the engine. That is why drivers are responsible for the choice of oil for their motor and follow all the recommendations from the manufacturer in the instruction manual. But different automobile concerns give different recommendations for choosing lubricants for the motor. So the Japanese company Toyota offers owners of cars of its brand to purchase exactly the Toyota 5W40 engine oil of the same name, since it is it that ensures the long service life of the engine of Japanese cars and meets all standards and requirements. Let's look at this oil product in more detail.

Toyota engine oil manufacturer boasts a wide range of lubricants for engine parts. Experts have invented various variations of the compositions, both for gasoline and diesel engines of a wide variety of specifications and classes. And most importantly, the company creates unique lubricant products that have high quality indicators, they provide constant protection against wear and erosion to all engine parts, save on fuel and operate in a wide range of temperatures.

The technical composition was invented by the company's specialists specifically for a wide range of cars, so this product is recommended by many large concerns: Porsche, BMW, Volkswagen, Mercedes.

Toyota oil has excellent viscosity and lubricates all engine parts with high quality, covering them with a layer of lubricant, which in turn guarantees an anti-corrosion function, since the oil contains various chemical compounds, which, among other things, clean the engine from the inside and prevent the formation of deposits and deposits . Tests show that this oil is of high quality and provides the maximum positive effect on the vehicle engine.

Popular oils

The following Toyota oils are considered the most popular among motorists:

1. Toyota SAE 5w-30 is an excellent product for gasoline engines, developed in accordance with API & ACEA standards, is considered a premium lubricant;
2. Toyota SAE 10w-30 - synthetic lubricant suitable for diesel and gasoline engines;
3. Toyota SAE 0w-20, 0w-30 - oily fluids suitable for engines of various classes and categories, are used in accordance with the recommendations in the vehicle's operating instructions;
4. Toyota SAE 5w-40 is a modern engine oil with distinctive viscosity properties that provides high-quality performance in a wide range of temperatures and operating conditions.

One of the best oil products specifically for Japanese cars is the Toyota 5w30 brand, but Toyota 5w40 oil is also very popular among car owners of various brands of vehicles. It is recommended by many experts.

Toyota 5w-40 oil meets all international standards and requirements and belongs to the following classifications:

• According to ACEA: B3, B4, A3;
• By API: CF/SL

Viscosity class 5W-40

This lubricant has a unique synthetic formulation that is compatible with 4-stroke engines running on both diesel and gasoline fuels. The characteristics of the product will allow the engine of your car to work at full capacity and provide high protection to all its parts.

For the normal functioning of the internal combustion engine of any vehicle, a lubricant is required - engine oil. The performance of both the engine individually and the entire vehicle as a whole depends on the type of oil chosen and used. Some automotive concerns recommend Toyota 5W40 engine oil. This lubricant is a universal all-weather product. It has high performance properties, allowing to extend the service life of the automotive power unit. It has unique protection parameters that preserve the engine's performance throughout the entire service life.

Manufacturer - not Toyota

Many car owners do not think about who is the manufacturer of this oil, believing that it is Toyota itself that manufactures lubricants. Absolutely wrong opinion! Toyota 5W40 branded oil is not manufactured by the company itself, but by its commercial partner. It was the largest American public oil company ExxonMobil, formed as a result of the merger of two companies of the same name in 1999, on November 30th.

In the world, such a way of doing business is often practiced when, instead of an automaker, products under its brand are produced by third-party companies that have concluded certain agreements with each other.

ExxonMobil itself is the largest player in the oil production and refining market and has long established itself as the best. Therefore, you do not have to worry about the quality of the products.

Toyota 5W40 oil (5L and other volumes) has gained great popularity among motorists due to ExxonMobil's experience in working with similar products. Toyota itself has never been engaged in the production of such a product from the fuels and lubricants category, and, logically judging, trusted the professionals. It was a successful step on the part of the Japanese manufacturer, which justified itself by 100%.

Toyota oil for everyone

Contrary to erroneous opinions, the oil is intended not only for Toyota brand cars. Due to the unique structural properties, the lubricant will suit any other vehicle. Numerous tests and laboratory studies have been carried out to support this claim.

The only limitation may be that the oil parameters do not meet the requirements of the vehicle itself and the equipped power unit. When all the parameters converge in the technical specifications, you can, without hesitation, use Toyota 5W40 oil for your own engine. This is officially confirmed by such giants of the automotive industry as the concern "BMW", "Volkswagen" and "Mercedes-Benz". Accordingly, Japanese competing companies (for example, Nissan or Honda) will not advertise their business opponents, so there are no official recommendations from them.

American-made Japanese oil in application is focused on cars, crossovers and off-road vehicles.

According to the reviews of many car owners, this lubricant is excellent for both cars with a new engine and engines with significant mileage.

Technical data

The unique technical characteristics of Toyota 5W40 oil have allowed this product of the Japanese brand to take a leading position among analogues in the global automotive fuel and lubricants market.

This oil is a synthetic product. From the viscosity marking it can be seen that the lubricant is used in any period of the season and has a wide temperature range of application. The lubricating fluid increases the level of safety of the operation of the power unit, makes it possible to operate the vehicle in various weather conditions, effectively resists oxidation processes, and also prevents the formation of soot and negative deposits, cleans the engine from slag formation.

Technical Toyota 5W40s have:

• stable parameters of viscosity and lubrication;
• stable consistency structure at any power loads;
• maximum penetration at sub-zero temperatures;
• high-quality lubricating oil film on all surfaces of parts and assemblies of internal combustion engines;
• ACEA class: A3, B3, B4;
• API class: SL/CF;
• viscosity grade SAE 5W40.

The API classification characterizes the oil as suitable for almost all types of modern engines that make high demands on the quality of the lubricant. The viscosity class indicates that the structural integrity of the oil will be maintained in winter down to -30 ° C.

Operating conditions

Toyota 5W40 oil has passed many tests, which were carried out in conditions as close as possible to real ones. The tests were carried out in extreme heat and cold at high load capacities. The lubricant passed all the tests and proved its high-quality belonging to oils with parameters for extreme operation. Naturally, the oil product will cope with normal loads without much difficulty.

The oil will qualitatively protect the engine that operates in city, highway or mixed mode. At temperatures from -30 to +40 ° C, the oil will not lose its molecular structural feature, allowing the liquid to penetrate into all the gaps of the moving parts of the motor, thereby providing reliable protection.

To maintain the normal working condition of the internal combustion engine, it is necessary to periodically change the oil, draining the old, used one and filling in new, fresh, but always with the same classification parameters.

Packing and article

Each original product has its own unique code - article. When buying Toyota 5W40 5l engine oil, the article will correspond to the numbers 0888080375. This method of acquisition is most regulated when looking for real branded oil from a Japanese automaker.

Available in three types of containers with a volume of 1 l, 5 l and 208 l. The first two containers are aimed at retail sales, and the last one is for wholesale buyers (car services, car centers) that provide services for replacing automotive fluids. Containers can be either metal or plastic. Plastic containers are often faked, which encourages the car owner to be more careful about the process of acquiring liquid.

Advantage Features

Toyota 5W40 oil has advantages that are confirmed by numerous reviews from professionals and motorists:

Flaws

This one has almost no downsides.

The negative points include the fact that Toyota 5W40 oil is subject to frequent fakes. Accordingly, when buying, it is necessary to carefully inspect the purchased product for the presence of all original markings and it will not be superfluous to ask the seller for licensing documents for the product.