It’s only a matter of time until counterfeit versions of popular products appear. Sunglasses, electronics and motor oils are just some examples. Buying a knockoff is a common way to cut costs. In the case of oil, however, it is inconceivable that anyone would knowingly purchase a fake. A replica is usually passed off as the real thing. As a result, the buyer spends money fixing the engine while the manufacturer, whose legitimate brand is slandered on fake packaging, suffers a loss of credibility and sales. Castrol has upgraded the safeguards once more. This article explains why you should avoid buying fake Castrol oil.
Genuine Castrol oil cannot be distinguished from counterfeit from afar. Put oil in the garbage glass to find duplicates. No bubbles appear in the crimson oil. This is interesting because the manufacturer developed an anti-bubble chemical to eliminate oil air pockets. In contrast, fake oil will vary in color. The color will be blue with bubbles. With a few tricks, you can recognize fake engine oil.
Why People Choose Castor Oil over Other Products?
Castrol is known to all car owners. Castrol has grown internationally since 1889 because to its great quality, accessibility, and dependability. The product lines are versatile enough to be employed in simple to complicated applications like racing vehicles and aero planes.
Castrol checks every batch of raw materials entering the factory from the start. The chosen protection strategy is scrutinized since it distinguishes real from fraudulent items. Castrol oils’ popularity makes them an accessible “target” for knockoffs. Thus, the oil canister’s design was changed in October 2014, but since this is not a distinguishing feature, the company’s professionals created other protection methods. Let’s examine the most essential warning signs to avoid scammers and save on engine repairs. Since additives are the first area fraudsters make corners, reducing money during production but causing serious car issues later, These elements are essential for good motor oil.
1. Basic Things to Crosscheck for the First Time Buyer
Castrol prioritizes counterfeiting prevention. Castrol oil cans have six safety ratings. If you recognize them all, you’re buying a real item. Container sizes range from 1 to 4 liters for Castrol EDGE, MAGNATEC, GTX, and Professional. Buy Castrol oils from certified distributors as a last precaution against fakes.
Pay close attention to the box it comes in. Despite the prevalence of high-quality knockoffs, Castrol oil is only available for purchase in its original packaging canister. This means you should focus first and foremost on the packaging details when you go to purchase it. The original container from the Castrol oil company has these identifying marks:
- The logo should be engraved on the top of the lid where it can be easily seen from above.
- The branding for the company should be clearly visible on the ring that surrounds the canister lid.
- The tops of modern canisters are shaped differently than their predecessors’.
- The original Castrol cans still have their protective foil in place when you open the lid.
- Labels on the rear of containers should feature a unique brand hologram at their very bottom.
- A unique code indicating the batch number, date of manufacture, and container number must be located just under the label on the original canister.
2. Telltale Signs of Fake Packaging
Counterfeit canisters often share the same general shape as the genuine one but are significantly lower quality in the following regards:
- The typeface on the back and the drawing on the bottom
- The embossing near the handle
- The substance of the phony canister displays porosity on closer scrutiny
3. Verify the Labeling and Branding
Pay attention to the labeling and branding on the container. Genuine Castrol engine oil containers feature high-quality printing with clear, crisp logos, product information, and safety warnings. Compare the packaging with images of authentic Castrol products from the official website to identify any discrepancies.
4. Check the Batch Code and Expiry Date
Each genuine Castrol engine oil container is marked with a batch code and an expiry date. Verify that the batch code matches the format used by Castrol, and ensure that the expiry date is not past. Counterfeit products may have incorrect or missing batch codes and expiry dates.
5. Examine the Seal and Quality Seal
Genuine Castrol engine oil containers often feature a quality seal or holographic sticker on the cap or neck of the bottle. Check for the presence of this seal and ensure that it’s intact and not tampered with. Counterfeit products may lack this seal or have a low-quality imitation.
6. Verify the QR Code (if applicable)
Some Castrol engine oil containers come with QR codes that can be scanned to verify the product’s authenticity. Use a QR code scanning app on your smartphone to scan the code and confirm its validity. Ensure that the information matches the product you have purchased.
How Can I Tell If A Bottle Of Castrol Oil Is Authentic Based On Its Appearance?
Sometimes counterfeiters perfect their craft to the point where the package is indistinguishable from the genuine article. In that case, the car owner has little alternative but to verify the product’s integrity themselves using visible indicators. The following elementary checks can be performed for this goal:
- The original oil’s viscosity is easily observable due to its high thickness when poured from a container.
- Buildings must be solid. Castrol oil won’t separate into layers if left in a glass for at least an hour.
- A drop of oil on a white sheet should leave a homogeneous stain; if it does not, the additives are of low quality.
- When exposed to UV light at night, the original oil emits a bright glow.
- Oil is authentic if it has an appetizing aroma and a golden amber color.
Only Castrol, the manufacturer, can guarantee the authenticity of its lubricants across all levels of protection. Therefore, the easiest approach to avoid buying fake oil is to do so from a legitimate dealership, such as a store or service station.
Conclusion
Choose your oil with Castrol’s simple tool. Choose the right vehicle oil fast and conveniently using this online service. To determine if supplied oil is suitable for your car, use the “Castrol oil selection” app for iOS and Android devices or a dedicated section of the official website. The system offers three engine oil options and capacity suggestions. Motor oils for car parts are on the right. Check that the canister contains all the authentic markings. The sticker’s secret code can be verified online, by SMS, via the app, or by calling support.
Santosh Kumar is an editor at unfoldstuffs.com and a professional content writer. With years of experience he is passionate for creating engaging, informative and impactful topics.