Month: August 2024

How to Identify Fake Engine Oil?

It is hard to identify if you have the original engine oil or just a counterfeit. Forgers are now trying hard to make their products seem visually identical to the original ones to make them harder to spot. Some counterfeiters may even use empty packs of the original products to make them seem more legit.

Engine Oil Original vs Fake

If you suspect you have a fake oil, here are some the elements that can help you how to identify fake engine oil from original oil:

Oil Appearance

Original engine oil is always transparent and free of impurities. The production of engine oil involves various processes to refine the product of any impurity. The presence of impurities or dirt may suggest that you have a fake product.

The Color of the Engine Oil

Engine oil color may vary from one product to another. However, counterfeiters usually try to make copies of expensive high-quality products to maximize their profits. High-end engine oils often have a light yellowish, or honey colour. Fake engine oil on the other hand has darker colours due to the use of low-quality base oils.

The Smell

Engine oils do not usually have a unique smell. A product that has a burning smell or suffocating smell can be a counterfeit.

Viscosity

Fake engine oil is generally thicker than the original products. Forgers try to use thicker base oils to make their copies appear similar. People who use a specific type of lubricant for a long time are more able to tell if there is a difference in consistency.

These elements help you to identify the real engine oil because counterfeiters focus on the appearance and neglect the properties. Their products always has lower performance.

How to Avoid Buying Fake Engine Oil?

Engine oil is like the shield that protects the engine. Compromising the quality of the motor oil never ends up in good results. To ensure you have high-quality engine oil for your car you should:

Check the Seller When You Buy Engine Oil Online

Online stores allow almost anyone to sell their products on their platforms. Avoid buying engine oil from untrusted sellers. Try to buy from verified sellers in known stores, and avoid shady stores even if the price is tempting.

Check the Bottle When You Change Oil in Workshops

Many people ask the workers in the local workshops or the petrol stations to change the oil for them. There is nothing wrong with that, but it is better to check the products they use just to be certain.

Buy From Reputable Stores and Hypermarkets

Trustworthy online stores care about their reputation, they would not risk it for making extra money. When you buy from them, the chances of getting fake products are very low.

Why is Fake Engine Oil Cheaper?

The main attribute is the ability to change the viscosity level in different temperatures. When oil is subjected to heat changes, its viscosity changes. Viscosity increases when oil is heated and drops as it cools down. To perform its job in the engine in every weather, lubricant manufacturers add chemical additives to the oil.

Oil composition usually has 75% to 95% base oil and 5% to 25% additives. the percentage of the added additives depends on the type and quality of the base oil. High-quality base oils require fewer additives and vice versa.

These additives are the most expensive ingredient in the blend. Counterfeiters alter the composition, and use fewer additives or add them at lower concentrations. The result is a product that has similar visual attributes and different properties.

Fake Engine Oil Effects

Using fake engine oil is bad for your engine. Counterfeiters may use any base oil, and add the wrong concentration of additives. There is no quality control on the production, no guarantee the product meets international standards. There are no limits to what they can do to make more money regardless of the potential effect on the customers’ cars.

It is not easy to tell how fake engine oil can affect your car. The results vary depending on the composition and the ingredients the counterfeiters use in their blend. Here we will tell you the possible.

Increase the Wear of the Moving Parts

Low-viscosity fake engine oil does not have the ability to lubricate the parts of the engine. The high-speed movement of the engine parts without proper lubrication can increase the rate of wear. Over time, this can cause serious damage to the engine eventually resulting in engine malfunction or even engine failure.

Reduce the Efficiency of the Car

High-viscosity engine oil can impair the flow of the oil in the engine causing insufficient lubrication. The lack of engine lubrication increases the drag therefore fuel consumption rises. If not addressed, this loss of efficiency can cause severe damage to the engine.

Engine Overheating

One of the important roles of engine oil is to absorb heat from the engine to cool down the engine. The ability to absorb and transfer heat is deeply related to the composition of the oil. changes in the types and concentration of the additives have a deep impact on the heat properties of the oil.

Using car engine oil that does not have the ability to absorb heat can lead to engine overheating. if the engine reaches a certain degree, some of the moving parts can weld to each other resulting in engine failure.

Conclusion

It is common for counterfeiters to try producing their own copies of expensive engine oil. despite the similarity in appearance and consistency, the products are far from being the same. Avoid risking your car, always buy from known stores. Good deals from un-known.

What is High mileage Car?

A high mileage car is a vehicle that has accumulated a significant number of miles on its odometer, typically above the average for its age. The term “high mileage” is relative and may vary depending on the type of vehicle, its maintenance, and driving conditions.

Generally, a car with over 100,000 miles is considered high mileage. However, with the advancement in car manufacturing technologies, some cars may not be considered “high mileage” till 200,000 or even 300,000 miles.

What is the difference between high mileage car and new car?

The difference between high mileage cars and new cars lies in the number of miles driven and their effect on them. A high mileage car has been used more extensively, which could lead to increased wear and tear on components, potential reliability issues. A new car, on the other hand, has fewer miles and may have experienced less wear and tear, making it potentially more reliable and valuable.

It is hard to determine if your car is high mileage, but it is important to decide if it is because this decision means that it is time to switch to high-mileage lubricants.

Difference between High-mileage Oils and Regular oils

Although both High-mileage oils and regular oils serve the same primary function of lubricating and protecting an engine’s internal components, they are not exactly the same.

High-mileage oils are specifically designed for vehicles with extensive wear, therefore, they have different composition. In other words, best high-mileage oils have other additives to provide the extra protection needed. Here is some of the differences between them:

Additives

High-mileage oils contain a unique blend of additives to help prolong the life of older engines. These additives can include anti-wear agents, detergents, dispersants, and friction modifiers. High-mileage oils may also have seal conditioners that help rejuvenate and maintain the flexibility of engine seals.

Viscosity

The viscosity of High-mileage is typically higher to improve oil film strength and reduce oil consumption in older engines with worn parts. Regular oils are available in various viscosities, but they may not offer the same level of protection for high-mileage engines.

Compatibility

High-mileage oils are specifically designed for vehicles with higher mileage, while regular oils cater to engines with lower mileage or newer vehicles. Using a 5w30 motor oil for high mileage in a newer vehicle may not cause harm, but it may not be necessary, and the specialized additives may not provide any additional benefit. Conversely, using regular motor oil in a high-mileage vehicle may not provide the same level of protection and could lead to increased wear and tear.

Price

High-mileage oils are often slightly more expensive than regular oils due to the specialized additives and formulations. However, the additional cost may be worth it to help prolong the life of an older engine and prevent oil leaks.

How can your car benefit from using the best high mileage oil?

High mileage oils are specially formulated to cope with the effects of aging on your engine. Using them on your car is similar to adding the vitamins an elderly vehicle needs to remain healthy for longer periods of time.

But how can they benefit your motor? Here are some examples:

Reduce Wear and Tear

With anti-wear additives, they can help reduce friction between engine components better than regular oils providing extra protection that older engines definitely need.

Improve Seal Condition

Over time, seals can shrink and lose their flexibility leading to more oil leaks from the engine. Buying the best high mileage oil gets you engine oil with seal conditioners that help rejuvenate and maintain the flexibility of these seals, reducing the risk of leaks and maintaining proper lubrication.

Decrease Sludge and Deposit Buildup

Sludge and deposits can build up in an engine, especially when they are old. Build-ups can leave a mark on the performance causing damage. To address the issue, high mileage oil contains detergents and dispersants that help break down and prevent sludge and deposit buildup.

Reduced Oil Consumption

Older engines with worn parts usually consume oil more quickly than newer engines. High mileage oil is typically more viscous, which can help reduce oil consumption by creating a stronger oil film between moving parts and sealing small gaps in worn components.

Enhance Protection Under high-Stress Conditions

Older engines may be more susceptible to damage under such conditions, such as high temperatures or heavy loads. Being designed to maintain its protective properties even under these challenging conditions, ensure continued engine protection.

How often should engine oil be changed for high mileage?

While some people suggest more frequent oil changes for older engines, as they may be less capable of withstanding the effects of worn oil, many argues that oil change frequency is less critical because the engine’s health will decline regardless.

Who is right here? Unfortunately, No body knows for sure. However, and to help all of you protect your cars, here are some of the common advised practices for high mileage cars oil changes:

For a car with approximately 150,000 to 200,000 miles on it, it’s advisable to change the oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, or roughly every five to eight months.

This guideline can be adjusted based on your driving habits and distances. Additionally, using the best high mileage oil can prolong the time between oil changes, especially when paired with a quality oil filter.