The design of the Liqui Moly oil canister was created back in 1987 and is still in use today with only minor changes regarding the handle and lid! Judging by the reviews about Liqui Moly motor oil, everyone is satisfied with the quality of the German lubricant, but there are isolated complaints that it burns out quickly. This means that either it was incorrectly selected for the performance characteristics of the motor, or a fake was purchased. Therefore, we will tell you in detail about counterfeits of LIQUI MOLY products and how you can distinguish the original oil from a fake.
Many experts give recommendations on how to distinguish original LIQUI MOLY products from counterfeits. Most of these opinions are wrong. Since the company does not produce containers itself, but purchases from third-party manufacturers in different countries and naturally has differences in workmanship. But nevertheless, it is impossible to find fake canisters as such; you only come across reused ones filled with low-quality oil of unknown origin. So:
Original products can be distinguished from counterfeit ones by the thickness of the plastic cast. Let's compare two original canisters that were received directly from the manufacturer in Germany. One has a fairly soft handle, that is, the plastic sheen is very soft; the other canister has a harder handle. Both of these products are original, that is, this statement is a myth. Because only the Dienes canisters do not bend, but the other two can be pressed in with the force of your thumb.
Original products can be distinguished from counterfeit ones by the manufacturer of the canister itself. The fact is that LIQUI MOLY does not produce canisters on its own, but purchases canisters from various suppliers. This was created so that in the event that one of the suppliers is unable to deliver the goods, the company does not have a drop in production. That is, in order not to depend on any of the suppliers.
For example, if you take 3 different original canisters, then all three canisters will have different suppliers (these are Dienes, Lider A and STP). All 3 canisters may differ in the quality of casting, the quality of stamping, the accuracy of stamping, and so on. However, all three canisters are original.
A fake can be distinguished from an original by comparing the sticker on back side canisters. The fact is that LIQUI MOLY supplies, for example, 5-liter canisters 3–5 various types, and they differ from each other by the sticker on the back.
For example, there are canisters with a sticker indicating in two or more languages. Canisters with inscriptions in German, English and Chinese will be supplied to China. Canisters will be supplied to Arab countries with instructions in German, English and Arabic. There are also canisters that have so-called books or booklets on them.
In this booklet, if you open it, you can find a description in Russian and Kazakh. These stickers may vary from batch to batch. If the canister is supplied without Russian and Kazakh languages, then an additional sticker with a description in these two languages is affixed to it. But the only point is that they must be strong, easy to peel and stick (if it’s a booklet), and have high-quality printing. must not be worn or skewed.
A LIQUI MOLY canister can be distinguished from a fake one by the length of the handle. In fact, this myth has not yet appeared, but we are a little ahead of the curve. The fact is that the LIQUI MOLY plant has updated the design of the canister itself. The updated canisters have a shorter handle, which made it possible to reduce the depth of the canister itself. In addition, the updated canisters have reinforced ribs. The updated canisters also have UV ink on the lid. Turning on the ultraviolet lamp, we see that the canisters glow under UV light.
These canisters will gradually replace the entire range at the end of 2018. Although from all that has been said above, we can conclude that LIQUI MOLY canisters are not counterfeited. Most often, reused original canisters are found in the form of fakes.
Firstly, you need to purchase products at retail outlets, which are listed on the manufacturer’s website in the “where to buy” section. There is a complete list of retail outlets with original products. In addition, partners with whom the company actively cooperates must have a certificate with a stamp and signature.
Also, when imported to the market, all products are declared and certified. Copies of certificates and declarations must be available at any retail outlet, as they are controlled by inspection authorities.
What to do if the store where you came to buy motor oil does not have a partner certificate, a quality certificate, or a declaration on the import of goods into the country? How can you spot a fake?
We have two samples of fake motor oil. Canisters that have been reused:
There are no signs of mechanical damage on this cover, but it can be easily unscrewed by hand, without any effort. Having opened it, you can see that all the tendrils on the inside have been broken off, that is, in order to reuse the canister, it was carefully opened, without mechanical damage, some other motor oil was poured inside, and under this guise they tried to sell it to the end consumer.
If you open the lid on the original product, you can see that there are no signs of mechanical damage on it - it is intact on top, and in order to open it, you will need to apply quite a lot of effort.
Auto parts (Dela) #avto #avtosovety #sovety #maslo #SHELL #avtozapchasti #avtozapchasti911Signs of a fake
To avoid problems and not purchase a counterfeit product, we recommend the following:
First of all, it is worth studying in detail the external components of the oil canister and knowing what differences a fake may have with the original.
Almost all Shell products have a protective membrane on the filler neck or under the cap.
When purchasing a container of Shell Hellix 0W-40 oil (as well as oils of other viscosity), make sure that the label says “Made in Russia.” Pay attention to the cap: the original has a smooth surface, while the fake has a rough surface.
The original product should have sealing lugs on the lid that firmly fix the plug on the neck; the fake product does not have them.
The color of the plastic canister in a fake canister is most often “dull” and looks “cheap,” while the original canister has a more saturated color, with mother-of-pearl.
Inspect the canister for poor casting. The original packaging is made neatly, without any rough traces of soldering. The bottom of the Shell Helix canister must have a sign stating that it is unsuitable for food products.
On the bottom of the “bottle” the manufacturer puts “the batch number and production time.” In a fake product, if this inscription is present, it is easily erased. Color of the bottle material
We recommend that you familiarize yourself with photographs of original and counterfeit products on the Internet and on the official website, and also familiarize yourself in more detail with the characteristic differences that are often common among counterfeits.
Purchase petroleum products only from large or official auto stores, and not from dubious and unverified points of sale.
How to distinguish a fake? What should the oil be so as not to harm the engine?
This question worries many car enthusiasts, because a low-quality product is not only wasted money, but also a potential “killer” of a car engine.
Nowadays, counterfeits have reached such a high level that it has become very, very difficult, and sometimes simply impossible, to distinguish a real product from a fake one.
How to distinguish fake motor oil from real one
The main rule is to buy oil only from a trusted store that operates from an official distributor. For example, in a store like our store avtozapchasti911.ru ;).
Having a store with product quality certificates is a good sign.
The price of original oil should not be underestimated. Do not skimp on motor oils; a good product cannot be cheap. When you see a price that is much lower than the market price, you should be wary: what is the reason for such a tempting offer? Prices for MOTUL oils in online stores and stores retail network controlled by the parent company, accordingly, they cannot be significantly below average.
When purchasing, pay attention to the quality of the oil packaging: it should not look cheap. The original packaging usually has special embossing and stamps with the brand logo. Fake packaging will look cheap and unpresentable.
An oil canister usually has a special shape, while “scorched” oils are poured into simple stamped canisters. You can easily see the shape of MOTUL oil cans in our product photographs.
Pay attention to the integrity of the canister opening control. All MOTUL engine oils are equipped with a special tamper evident system. It consists of a detachable red ring on the lid.
The label should not easily peel off from the container, get lost or break. Manufacturers of high-quality oil do not skimp on trifles.
All labels of oils sold in the Russian Federation must have a translation into Russian in one form or another. Often, to detect Russian text, you need to peel off the top layer of the label. In this case, a special arrow symbol must be applied to it. The same applies to labels of antifreeze, additives, lubricants and other products.
The oil release date on the canister must be factory-printed. The shelf life of oil according to the laws of the Russian Federation does not exceed 5 years.
Some oils are packaged with special protection technologies. This technology in the Motul 300V sports series is the advanced Bubble Tag.
In appearance, genuine motor oil should be translucent and amber in color.
All Motul oils are produced in France; since 2019, some oils from the automotive range have been produced at a new plant in Italy. Accordingly, the labeling must be Made in France or Made in Italy.
How to distinguish a fake Liqui Moly from the original? Distinctive features of fake Liqui Moly.
Everyone good afternoon! In this article we will consider the question: “How to distinguish Liqui Moly oil from a fake?”
The Liqui Moly company monitors its products quite well, so Liqui Moly fakes are becoming less and less common today. But you still occasionally come across them in store windows. Therefore, you need to know the “enemy” by sight. As the saying goes: “Forewarned is forearmed.”
We need to start with the fact that the company did not provide any distinctive features of the original Liqui Moli oil in the form of halograms or other special methods of protection. This is certainly bad, but not fatal. A fake Liqui Moly can be identified even by its appearance. No factory counterfeits of Liqui Moly oil have yet been discovered, but artisanal methods of counterfeiting are very noticeable. We will look at all the distinctive features of fake Liqui Moly oil below in the article.
Distinctive features of fake Liqui Moly
The stopper of original Liqui Moly oil is only black. The plastic from which the original Liqui Moli cork is made is uniform, without any defects. The plug has a built-in watering can for easy filling of oil into the engine. A disposable “seal” with a ring for opening is installed on the watering can from the factory. Since fake Liqui Moly oil is not produced on a factory scale, the oil is made primarily in garage conditions. Namely, they buy empty cans from car service centers or ordinary private traders, buy cheaper oil in barrels and pour them into cans. In this case, identifying fake Liqui Moly oil will not be difficult, since the canister will have traces of opening.
A real canister of Liqui Moly should not have any defects. The seams of the canister should be smooth, without traces of soldering. If in this case you notice any damage in the form of a puncture of the canister and subsequent soldering, then feel free to refuse the purchase. Most likely, the original oil was drained from the canister, and inside there is some cheaper oil, for example Lukoil or something else. This is done very simply. The original Liqui Moly oil is pumped out through a thin needle and another oil of unknown origin is poured in in the same way.
Don't forget the production date of the oil. It is indicated on the back of the canister. The last four digits indicate the production date. The first two of them are the month of production, the second are the year. The batch number and production date must be printed in high quality, without smudges or abrasions.
Label. Pay attention to the label. Liqui Moly's canisters are the same on most products. Therefore, in this case, there is a need to re-glue labels onto others. The essence of counterfeit Liqui Moli in this case is that you are buying an original product, but cheaper. For example, Liqui Moly Optimal 10W40 and a label from Liqui Moly Optimal Synth 5W40 is attached to the canister. After which the product is sold at a higher price.
To protect yourself from this kind of counterfeit Liqui Moly oil, you need to pay attention to the quality of printing and the accuracy of the label. The print quality must be at the highest level, all characters must be clear and not blurry. And the label itself must be securely glued to the canister and, if desired, it can be easily removed along with the adhesive layer.
These are the three most important signs by which you can easily distinguish a fake Liqui Moly from the original.
How to avoid getting fake Liqui Moly oil?
To avoid running into counterfeit Liqui Moly oil, it is better to buy the product from trusted places. Usually stores have the necessary documentation that can confirm the authenticity of the product. The documents include all kinds of declarations of product conformity. At the buyer's request, the seller must show a certificate for the relevant product.
Serious stores work directly with official dealers. Auto parts (Dela) #avto #avtosovety #sovety #maslo #mazda #avtozapchasti #avtozapchasti911
How to distinguish fake Mazda oil?
Good day everyone! After reading this article, you will learn how to recognize a counterfeit Mazda oil using the example of the product Mazda Original Oil Ultra 5W30.
What made me write this article? Yesterday, at the end of the working day, a client from another city came to our office to buy original Mazda oil. His warranty service had expired and he had to change the engine oil himself. He took the choice of oil very seriously. This was indicated by the presence of instructions from the Internet, printed on several sheets of paper. We checked our oil canister according to his instructions and came to the conclusion that our oil was real. Today I decided to make such instructions myself. I contacted oil suppliers, found out everything and summarized everything in this material.
Fake Mazda oil - external distinctive features
To avoid running into counterfeit Mazda oil, you need to take the product only from trusted places. You need to choose oil based on the recommendations of friends or based on your own experience. But what to do if none of the above exists? Then our instructions will help you, with the help of which you can easily distinguish original Mazda oil from a fake. So let's get started.
First of all, you need to take the canister in your hands and carefully examine it. First of all, inspect the cover. It should have a depression and a small convex point in the center. If the lid is not like that, then feel free to refuse the oil - this is an outright fake.
The next step is to evaluate the print quality. There are a lot of halftones on the original label. This gives a very strong indication of a fake. The pirates were never able to achieve high-quality printing. On the original canister the inscription ZOOM-ZOOM is barely noticeable. But with fake oil it is very noticeable. The situation is similar with the spots in the upper left corner. All contrast transitions from white to black are not clear. This is due to the fact that the original image before printing was vector. And the fake Mazda oil most likely used a scan. Here's another significant difference.
Let's move on. Now you need to inspect the back of the canister. In addition to the print quality, pay attention to the bottom backing of the label. The fact is that the back label of Mazda Dexelia Ultra 5W30 oil consists of two layers. On the original, the top layer of the back label comes off easily. For a fake, it takes some effort, but paint remains on the white background.
These are the three main signs by which you can easily distinguish real Mazda oil from a fake. Now let's look at a few more small distinguishing features.
Relief line. On the fake canister there is a strongly convex raised line, while on the original it is less noticeable.
There are codes on the back of the fake oil, but there shouldn’t be any on the original.
In addition to these signs, you should pay attention to the barcode. There have been several cases where the fake was absolutely no different from the original. Fake Mazda oil was only identified by a barcode. The pirates mistakenly missed one bold line between the numbers 5 and 0
How to distinguish a fake Mazda oil by the external signs of the oil itself?
There are also a couple of distinctive features of the liquid itself, which is poured into canisters. Firstly, real Mazda Original Ultra oil has a translucent light pink color. The fake is very different:
Secondly, fake Mazda oil has a pungent odor, while the original does not.
And at the very end of the article I would like to note that the oils themselves are not counterfeited. As a rule, the original canisters simply contain cheaper oil. This oil will not break the engine, but who wants to be deceived? After inspecting the canister, pay attention to possible defects. It is important to pay attention to signs of an autopsy. You may have an original canister in your hands, but there will be a different oil inside. That's all, I hope this material will be useful to you and you
What should you pay attention to when purchasing? Literally everything, sometimes crude fakes just catch your eye. So look:
1. Barcode, date of manufacture, expiration date and batch number. The packaging of any original product must contain information about when and by whom the product was produced, as well as information about its service life. No self-respecting company, especially one like Castrol, which calls itself the No. 1 brand in the motor oil market, will allow products to leave its assembly line without such mandatory labeling.
2. Carefully apply stickers. If the sticker does not coincide with the place intended for it on the container or you see that it is glued unevenly, this is a signal that this is a fake.
3. Information on the packaging must be in three languages. The sticker of the 4-liter canister, which is located on the reverse side, contains technical information in Ukrainian, Russian and Kazakh. This should be the case with Castrol Magnatec motor oil certified in Ukraine, Russia and Kazakhstan. On a liter bottle of this oil, under the sticker on the back, there should be another sticker with text in several languages. It cannot be said that this is the best way, but these two stickers are a characteristic feature of the original certified Castrol Magnatec motor oils, packaged in liter containers.
4. Neck of the container. For some reason, some consumers decided that the neck of a bottle or canister with motor oil should be covered with foil. This is wrong. The manufacturer Castrol Magnatec does not provide such protection.
5. Cover. When opening a bottle or canister, the seal should break. If the bottle unscrews without breaking the latches, it means it has already been
is open to you, and it is unlikely that there is original oil inside this container.
6. About the lid again. It is worth noting that on the screw caps of genuine bottles the vertical ribs are wide, while on the counterfeits they are narrow. This option is from the category of professional fakes. Fraudsters who produce such counterfeit goods have special packaging equipment, that is, their “business” is already on stream. Often, scammers bribe the buyer’s trust with a new lid with a seal.
The arrow points to a normal cap, which has signs that it came off the assembly line, since marks on the ribs show that they were twisted by a machine and not by hand.
7. Novelty of the container. The canister or bottle should look perfect, that is, be new and clean, without scuffs or scratches. If the bottle has lost its presentation, most likely this is a fake.
There are two opinions regarding the connection between counterfeit and container volume. One thing suggests that counterfeit Castrol Magnatec exists only in small-packaged containers: liter bottles and 4-liter canisters. The second is the opposite: there is a lot of counterfeit in large canisters. If you buy motor oil in an unfamiliar place, they can sell you counterfeit oil in any container.
Some consumers believe that the manufacturers themselves are deceiving them by calling Castrol Magnatec synthetic oils, although in fact the Magnatec series is hydrocracked motor oils. The fact is that the properties of motor oils produced using hydrocracking technology are in no way inferior to synthetic oils, that's why the packaging says Syntetic Technology, not Full Syntetic. There is no deception here. Hydrocracking original car oil cannot have a bad effect on work
Mobile oil - how to distinguish a fake?
Every car owner is faced with changing the oil in car components. This could be engine oil, transmission oil, or power steering fluid. And where there is an oil change, there is also a choice of oil. And every time a car owner buys oil, he or she runs the risk of buying a counterfeit. In this article we will try to figure out how not to run into counterfeit Mobile oil.
There is an opinion that only well-known and “promoted” oils are counterfeited. Actually this is not true. Absolutely everything is counterfeited - both name brands (note that at the beginning of 2019, counterfeit Mazda oils began to be found), which everyone knows, as well as oils known in narrow circles of car owners. The Mobil brand is one of the most famous today and one of the most counterfeited.
How to distinguish a fake Mobile by external signs?
To identify fake Mobil 3000 5w40 oil, you need to take a closer look at the canister. Take the canister in your hands and first inspect the labels. The print quality must be impeccable, bright and clear. And the sticker itself must be glued evenly, must not peel off, and when peeling it off the canister, the glue must remain on the sticker itself. Skim the text on the back of the canister. Look at the batch number and manufacturing date of the canister. Fake Mobile oils often have a poorly printed batch number and production date. This is another sign. by which you can identify a fake. There have been cases where “pirates” made spelling errors in the text on fake Mobile canisters. This is excluded on original Mobile canisters.
So, we checked the label, now we look at the canister itself. The Mobile oil canister consists of two halves. Both halves must be perfectly soldered. The seams should be smooth and barely noticeable. The photo below shows a fake canister of Mobil Peak Life 5W50 4l oil. The seam on the fake Mobile is very sloppy and clearly noticeable. If you see such a seam, then most likely this is a fake Mobile.
As you can see in the photo, the fake Mobil Super 3000 oil is shown on top, and the real one on the bottom.
The next important point is the lid. The lid should fit tightly to the canister with minimal gap. If the gap is too large, then the mobile oil cap is fake and there could be anything in the canister. Remember that you don’t need expensive equipment to fake Mobile oil. It is enough to agree with any car service center where oil is changed to purchase used containers. After that, all that remains is to fake the lids and pour some cheap oil into the old cans. So the fake Mobile oil is ready. That is why you should not trust Mobil oil from a large barrel. As you saw above, fake mobile oil can also be in a barrel. After all, the barrel does not need to be tampered with and can be used several times. You just need to fill the barrel with some less expensive oil.
Let's summarize. To avoid running into a fake mobile phone, you should first inspect the canister. Appearance The original canister must be immaculate. From the quality of printing to the quality of soldering of the canister halves. Also, the original Mobile oil, unlike the fake one, has a cap of good quality. Pay attention to this.
How to identify fake Mobile oil by smell?
When opening the oil, pay attention to the smell. Original Mobile oil has a very mild odor or practically no odor at all. Fake Mobile has a very pungent, unpleasant odor. Pay attention to this too. Of course, it will not be possible to determine this in a store, since it is unlikely that the sellers will allow you to open the canister without first paying for it. But who’s stopping you from sniffing the oil when changing it? Perhaps at the very last moment you will identify fake Mobile oil by the smell.
How else can you distinguish fake Mobil oil?
Unfortunately, only a laboratory can give the most accurate conclusion about fake mobile oil.
Every car owner understands that the duration, uninterrupted operation and reliability of the engine directly depends on the quality of the engine oil. Therefore, you need to carefully select the manufacturer, navigate the required characteristics, and choose a lubricant based on the regulations of the plant where your car was produced.
Liqui Moly oils are among the best in the world. These are compounds of the highest quality produced by a German company. They quickly gained popularity and are actively used for filling oil crankcases on many cars of European, American and Asian companies.
But such demand also provokes another common problem. We are talking about counterfeits present on the lubricants market. Buyers of Liqui Moly products also encounter them. To protect yourself from counterfeit lubricants, you should learn to distinguish between the original and the fake. It's not that difficult if you show a little patience and care.
You understand that counterfeit products are produced in order to make money through the promotion and popularity of the brand. Customers, knowing about the good quality of Liqui Moly, try to purchase this particular oil for their car.
There are several basic methods that allow us to offer oils on the market that are as similar as possible to the original ones. Because of this, buyers, being inattentive, do not notice that they bought a fake instead of the original composition.
Not everyone understands what the point of a fake is if scammers still sell oil, albeit a different one. It comes down to the cost of the components.
As a replacement for the original, they mainly use industrial oils or the cheapest formulations intended for trucks and sold in huge barrels of 50 - 200 liters. Their price is minimal. By pouring these 200 liters into jars labeled Liqui Moli, scammers increase the price of the entire batch many times over. Having sold all 100 - 200 liters, the scammers make a substantial profit. And this is even despite the fact that when selling counterfeits, they often hold promotions and make discounts.
Some people use casting instead of real Liqui Moly for filling. It is regenerated using a special method, which allows it to be brought a little closer to its original state. Additives are present there in minimal concentrations, or they are not present at all.
The additive is the most expensive component, which largely determines the cost of motor fluid. Usually the concentration is no more than 10% of the total volume of the canister, and at a price it is more than 50 - 60%. That is, for a tenth of the container you pay more than half of the entire cost of the oil.
It is not surprising that it is additives, as the most expensive component of the oil, that scammers save on.
Almost every car owner has to think about how to distinguish original Liqui Moly oils from counterfeits. Initially well-established suppliers and sellers do not always maintain the same level, selling only original oils. Sometimes they themselves do not suspect that a new batch of lubricants is fake.
If you purchased and filled the engine with real motor oil, this should be reflected in the form of the following properties:
But it’s not always worth buying a canister at your own risk, pouring oil into the engine and waiting to see how it behaves.
The most effective way to check the quality of a lubricant is a laboratory research method. But few people are ready to take such a step. This is due to the fact that it takes quite a long time to wait for the analysis results, and the cost of this service is several times higher than the price of the oil itself.
Therefore, it is better to start from the characteristic signs of a fake and try in every possible way to avoid the most likely places where motor fluids are sold.
There are several signs that are characteristic not only of fakes of Liqui Moli, but also of a number of other counterfeits. You should not avoid them, since when using original packaging it is sometimes very difficult to identify a fake.
Just based on these signs, you will be able to identify counterfeit products without any problems. This is not difficult to do if you remain attentive and do not react to tempting offers; it is extremely profitable to purchase original motor fluid from Liqui Moly. Believe me, the likelihood of the authenticity of such oil is extremely low. But the chance of damaging your engine and spending a lot of money on repairing it is very high.
Every motorist should know how to check Liqui Moly oils for originals and fakes. There is nothing particularly complicated here.
To be fair, it should be noted that at present there are not many counterfeit canisters under the guise of Liqui Moli. This is due to the company's desire to maintain its good reputation. A lot of work has been done to prevent the clandestine production of oil under their brand.
Although the Liqui Moly company cannot directly influence fraudsters, since this is the responsibility of other authorities and organizations, they are able to protect their products from counterfeiting. For this purpose, appropriate solutions have been provided.
What is most interesting is that Liqui Moly did not complicate their work by creating protective holograms, as many other companies do. At the same time, it will not be so difficult to distinguish a fake from the original. Just pay attention to:
With their help, it is possible to identify and avoid the entry of obviously low-grade lubricant into the oil sump of your car.
The branded lids that cover canisters of Liqui Moli oil are always made strictly in black. If you see that the cork is made in any color other than black, this is a fake.
Look at the quality of the plastic itself. There should be no stains, additional shades, abrasions or defects. Otherwise it's definitely fake.
For the convenience of consumers, the canister additionally contains a special watering can. With its help, it is easy to pour liquid into the engine oil sump. A seal and a ring are placed on the watering can. If these elements are torn off, then the scammers probably simply purchased similar containers at car services and poured simple cheap mineral water inside.
If it is original, then the canister will never have any defects or flaws. Look closely at the seams. If there are unevenness, traces of soldering or other interference with the integrity of the seam, such oil should not be trusted under any circumstances.
Since real canisters are often used to distribute counterfeit products, removing oil from them and filling in the counterfeit without disturbing the integrity of the lid, take a closer look at the traces of soldering.
This is done when a thin needle is used to drain. Disguising a puncture from a needle is much easier than restoring the cork, re-doing the seals, and especially making your own fake canisters. Therefore, even minor defects in the packaging have to be paid attention to.
In the case of Liqui Moli, discrepancies between the date of bottling the oil and the manufacture of the canister are also not allowed.
Also look at the numbers and letters printed on the container of motor oil. The last 4 characters indicate the production date. The first two mean the month, and the last two mean the year.
If you see that numbers or letters are poorly visible, are printed crookedly, or simply cannot be accurately determined, do not buy such containers. It is possible that this is an old container that was used more than one year ago. It was restored and low quality liquid was poured into it. To make this fact less noticeable, scammers erased the original date or tried to replace it with a newer one using a makeshift method.
Look carefully at the information stickers. Almost everything from Liqui Moly has the same labels.
Therefore, scammers can simply use a sticker from a more expensive type of oil, gluing it onto a container from an expensive type of oil. As a result, the difference in price goes into the pocket of an unscrupulous seller.
Replacing tags is easy. Although in this case it can be identified by examining the neatness of the glued label. If it is not very level, has poor print quality, blurry characters or traces of glue, then it is better to refuse such a canister of Liqui Moly oil.
In theory, checking all these facts of fakes is not difficult. But you have to devote a lot of time to this issue, carefully study the container, label and read everything down to the last letter and number.
If the first time buyer is still willing to be patient, then gradually vigilance is lost. Especially in cases where you buy oil in the same store and become confident in the integrity of the seller. But the seller himself does not always know that there is a fake on his shelves.
If you have extra money and time, then send samples of the purchased oil for analysis in a specialized laboratory. Only a few buyers are ready for this, but this method makes it possible to identify a fake with almost 99% or confirm the originality of the product.
Engine oils play a key role in engine performance. Therefore, it won’t hurt to be vigilant once again and spend a few minutes checking. This will save you from more serious problems associated with the consequences of using low-grade motor lubricant.
Original Liqui Moly motor oil provides reliable protection of the car engine under any operating conditions. However, many car enthusiasts face two main problems - selecting oil for a specific engine and the presence of counterfeits on the market. In fact, choosing Liqui Moly car oil is not so difficult if you know what lines, tolerances, viscosities and other parameters of the lubricating fluid exist. The same applies to the definition of counterfeit. After reading the material to the end, you can easily choose Liqui Moly motor oil for your car and find out the features of their canisters.
Distinctive feature company is that Liquid Moly brand oils are produced exclusively in Germany, which, firstly, reduces the possibility of producing counterfeits in other countries, and secondly, guarantees the high quality of the product. All Liqui Moly products are manufactured in the German city of Ulm.
Interestingly, the design of the canisters by Liqui Moly was developed back in 1987, and has changed slightly since then.
The Liqui Moly company produces its oils based on the requirements for a specific internal combustion engine, in particular, under the approvals of specific automakers. For example, this can be seen in the popular TOP TEC series, which will be discussed below.
Currently, in the range of Liqui Moly oils there are four types of oils - HC-synthetic (hydrocracked), synthetic, semi-synthetic and one brand of mineral (MoS2 Leichtlauf 15W-40 for old cars with high mileage) What is the difference between each type? There are special materials about and oils on our website, so we will not dwell on them. It is much more interesting to find out what the difference is between hydrocracking and traditional PAO synthetics.
Oils created using hydrocracking technology are cheaper, but are somewhat inferior in quality to original synthetic formulations. Their production technology is quite complex and multi-stage. Its essence comes down to the fact that (which is essentially the residue from oil processing during the production of gasoline or other fuels and lubricants) is split with the help of hydrogen under high pressure, thus creating the necessary base. Thus, paraffins, nitrogen, and sulfur are removed from it, and resistance to third-party chemical reactions is imparted. At the final stage, a package of additives is added to the resulting base. They are selected in accordance with what characteristics the manufacturer wants to give to a particular oil.
It is impossible to distinguish NS synthetics from PAO synthetics using organoleptic analysis; for this it is necessary to conduct an in-depth chemical analysis.
Real synthetics are made on the basis of polyalphaolefins (PAO). The technology consists of performing the synthesis of light hydrocarbons, as a result of which PAOs are obtained. Typically, the material for synthesis is hydrocarbon gas. The production technology is also quite complex, and some stages are kept secret. The result is an oil that has the highest performance properties, it can operate in a wide temperature range, has low volatility, and so on. By adding additives, you can achieve very different viscosities and other positive characteristics. The only drawback of PAO synthetic motor oil is its high price.
As of the beginning of 2018, Liqui Moly’s range of motor oils includes 33 varieties. This allows selection to be made for any internal combustion engine currently in use. The entire catalog of these Liqui Moly products can be divided into three parts:
And each of them is divided into several lines.
There is another type of oil - top-up, currently it includes only one such brand - HC-synthetic motor oil Nachfull Oil 5W-40, and is sold in a 1-liter canister. This composition can be used to add oil to the required level in the crankcase if it is not known what type and brand of oil is currently poured into the engine. Since Nachfull Oil is compatible with any motor oil.
In turn, special ones are divided into two lines - TOP TEC and SPECIAL TEC. They are made using NS-synthetic technology. A distinctive feature of the line TOP TEC is the fact that the oils are low-ash, that is, designed for “eco-friendly” engines and high-quality fuel (low sulfur content). Despite the fact that they are made using hydrocracking technology, they still have a reduced sulfate ash content. Suitable for any, even the most modern, engines.
The TOP TEK line first appeared on sale in 2004. The first product was oil 4100, “tailored” to the requirements of Mercedes. After that, 4200 were produced - for the brands Volkswagen, AUDI and other brands belonging to the VAG concern. Brand 4300 is designed for the “Japanese” Honda and Toyota, as well as some European cars. Brand 4400 - for Renault with particulate filters. Brand 4500 - for Ford, Mitsubishi, Mazda. Well, brand 4600 is intended for cars produced under the supervision of the General Motors concern, in particular, Opel and all Korean cars. Although currently each listed series has approvals from different automakers. You will find the relevant information on the canister label or in the online store description.
The listed brands have the following viscosities:
It is interesting that TOP TEK series oils are excellent for Russian fuel, which is not always of high quality, which may contain large amounts of sulfur or other harmful impurities. They can be used in almost any engine, including boosted and diesel engines with direct fuel injection, the Common Rail system, complex exhaust gas purification systems, and so on. They help save fuel, extend engine life, withstand high engine speeds and loads, and extend the life of the catalyst.
Series SPECIAL TEC also made using NS-synthetic technology. It is a “simplified” version of TOP TEC. Thus, they have registered approvals from individual automakers, but are no longer low-ash and have no environmental restrictions. Therefore, they are more suitable for domestic cars and domestic fuel.
Asia America 5W-30
Sold in gray canisters. As for tolerances, 0W-30 oil has Volvo approval, 5W-30 oil has approvals for Ford and cars from the General Motors concern. Standing a little apart in this series are the notorious oils called "Asia-America", intended for new and used (3 years and older) cars from Asian countries and the USA, used in the domestic markets of these countries. Oils are presented in four - 0W-20, 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30. These four types of oils are made according to the well-known ILSAC standard. According to the European standard ACEA has class C5.
Oils with viscosity 0W-20 and 5W-20 are intended for Honda cars, as well as American cars with a large engine capacity (up to 4...5 liters). As for lubricating fluid with a viscosity of 5W-30, it is essentially universal and can be used in any Japanese and American cars, if allowed by their manufacturer. Oil with a viscosity of 10W-30 is intended for used Asian and American cars.
Article numbers of Liquid Moly oils from the Special Tech series:
As for universal ones, they are presented in three lines - LIQUI MOLY OPTIMAL, LEICHTLAUF, SYNTHOIL.
Series Optimal belongs to the average price range, but the oils themselves are more premium. They are presented as HC-synthetic oils (with viscosities 5W-30 and 5W-40) and semi-synthetic (with viscosity 10W-40, including those specifically for diesel engines). It offers good value for money. It is noted that it is excellent for the Russian market. There are synthetic and semi-synthetic compounds.
There are oils with the following viscosities:
Line name LEICHTLAUF literally translated as “easy-running oils”. They are synthetic on a hydrocracked (HC) basis. They are considered premium oils offered at affordable prices. Meet the highest requirements of API and ACEA (in particular, Leichtlauf High Tech LL 5W-30 complies with ACEA A3/B4, API SL/CF).
The line includes the following viscosities:
Oils in the series SYNTHOIL- fully synthetic (PAO). They can be used in the most modern engines. Depending on the specific brand, they are suitable for multi-valve engines, for engines with particulate filters, with modern exhaust cleaning systems, and so on. Some of the highest quality, but also expensive oils.
Here the catalog of Liqui Moly Synthetics brand oil presents the following assortment:
As for branded antifriction oils, they are represented by two lines - MOS2 LEICHTLAUF And LIQUI MOLY MOLYGEN New Generation. The latter in 2013 replaced the previously known line of Liquid Moly Moligen. The new oils are made on the basis of a tungsten-molybdenum additive that implements Molecular Friction Control technology - molecular friction control. Development of the additive lasted almost five years! LIQUI MOLY MOLYGEN New Generation is HC-synthetic oils, and MOS2 LEICHTLAUF is semi-synthetic.
As for the new generation LIQUI MOLY MOLYGEN oils, the specified tungsten-molybdenum additive perfectly reduces friction between engine parts. Each product is designed for specific car brands. Thus, oil with a viscosity of 5W-30 is intended for Japanese and American cars. 5W-40 - more suitable for the European market. 10W-40 - for the premium segment for light commercial vehicles (vans, minibuses).
Viscosities and articles of the “Liqui Moly Moligen” series in popular trade volumes (4 l.):
The MOS2 LEICHTLAUF series are motor oils for older generation cars. Can be used under severe engine operating conditions. Suitable for gasoline and diesel engines, including those with a turbine.
Articles of 4-liter canisters of the molybdenum series for easy work:
Temperature tests carried out by the initiative group in cold weather of -20 degrees Celsius showed that almost all original Liqui Moly oils with dynamic viscosity from 0W to 10W have good fluidity, so they can be used in winter.
The selection of oil by brand must be carried out so that the final product is ideally suited in all respects for a particular engine. In fact, when choosing, you need to be guided by many characteristics, including viscosity values, API and ACEA standards, car manufacturer approvals, and so on.
What oil is better to pour into the engine?
The choice of engine oil is based on viscosity, API specification, ACEA, tolerances and those important parameters that you never pay attention to. You need to select according to 4 main parameters.
More than one car enthusiast is interested in the question of what is the best Liqui Moly oil? In fact, there is no universal answer to this, since the engine manufacturer provides a certain viscosity (usually two or three values), standards and types.
In the latter case we are talking about the so-called “synthetics” and “semi-synthetics”. If you are the owner of a budget car whose engine is not demanding and does not require the use of special lubricants, then semi-synthetic compounds are quite suitable for you. For expensive cars, including premium cars, sports cars, it is better to fill in “synthetics”, and the highest quality, made from gas. It all depends on the price of Liquid Moly oil and.
The choice of a particular oil must be made according to various characteristics parameters, one of which is the base number (TBN). Its value shows how much the oil is able to resist oxidative processes and aging. The higher it is, the longer the oil retains its basic properties. Thus, the alkaline number of the TOP TEC and Special TEC lines is 6.63. This is a low value, but such lubricants can extend the life of the catalyst. It is perfect for engines with high mileage, and reduces the replacement interval (especially if low-quality fuel is used).
The group of universal oils (Optimal, Leichtlauf, Synthoil) has an alkaline number in the range of 8.91...9.15. This allows you to prolong the aging process of the lubricant. They are best used in cars that do not have particulate filters or with engines with low mileage (up to 100 thousand kilometers).
Lines of branded oils (MOS2 Leichtlauf, Molygen New Generation) are the result of 5 years of work by the Liqui Moly company. Their base number is 11.17. This is the best indicator for neutralizing oxidation processes and the effects of sulfur. Laboratory tests have shown that the amount of molybdenum in Molygen New Generation brand oil is 91 mg per 1 kg of oil. Therefore, it can be argued that such oils have excellent detergent and antifriction properties and improve the anti-corrosion resistance of the engine. Such lubricants can be used in cars with a catalyst. However such oils are not recommended for use if the engine has problems with, and filter elements are installed in the exhaust system. In this case from the first group (specifically TOP TEC).
However, the easiest method for selecting Liqui Moly oil is use the official website of the company, where there is a corresponding page. On it you need to select the category of the car (car, van, truck), indicate the make and model of the car, year of production, engine used, and so on. After all the clarifying procedures, a list of Liqui Moly oils that can be used in this machine will appear on the screen. And among the options presented, you need to choose yourself. taking into account viscosity, oil base, engine condition, and so on.
Screenshot of the Liqui Moly oil selection page from the official website
Due to the wide popularity of lubricants from the Liquid Moly company, unscrupulous organizations are engaged in the production of counterfeit products, which, although externally similar to the original, are significantly inferior in performance characteristics (often these are the cheapest domestic ones in reused original canisters). Let's look at how you can distinguish original Liqui Moly oils.
The first thing you should pay attention to is the cleanliness of the canister, the integrity of the label and lid for minor defects and dents.
There is a widespread myth on the Internet that supposedly Liquid Moly oil, sold in a soft canister, is a fake. Actually this is not true! The fact is that the Liqui Moly company has contracts with three different suppliers of canisters, respectively, and packages its products in different containers, with different quality of both plastic and embossing of the production date. For example, soft canisters are supplied to them by a manufacturer called Dienes. The company logo can be seen at the bottom of the canister. There are also canisters from the STP company and a company marked on the canister with the letter A. The last two will be pressed with a finger, and this despite the fact that the production date of the canister is made to a higher quality than in Dines.
Another misconception of checking the originality of Liqui Moly oil is that a fake can be distinguished by a sticker on the back of the canister. In fact, the Liqui Moly company directly applies various reverse stickers. The first type is the performance characteristics of oils in two or three languages (usually English and German are required, and the third depends on the specific country). On such canisters there is usually another small sticker on the top of the handle with a description, including in Russian. The second type of stickers are the so-called books. If you open it, the description will be in several languages. Moreover, it is interesting that the design of the stickers may differ from batch to batch. The main thing here is to ensure that the print is of high quality (without blurring or color distortion).
Different handle lengths on old and new canisters
The length of the vertical handles on large (4-5 liter) canisters can also vary. So if you come across one with a modified design, then you shouldn’t think that it’s a fake. The canister handle size was updated in mid-2017. New Liqui Moly oil packs have slightly shorter handles than before. This made it possible to reduce the depth of the canister itself. In addition, the new canisters have reinforced ribs.
The most important difference between the original and the fake (if it is not a reused container) is hidden on their lids. The inscriptions are made with toner that glows in ultraviolet light. Having the appropriate flashlight makes it easy to verify authenticity.
But such features are powerless against those companies that sell counterfeits and contrive to sell you a fake instead of an original German product. Since often they don’t try to counterfeit empty containers at all. Most often, Liqui Moly oil is packaged in branded cans, which were carefully opened at service stations with which the dealers have a certain agreement.
Therefore, the first thing you should pay attention to is the condition of the canister. If it looks “shabby” in the store, then this should raise doubts about the originality of the oil offered. The second is the quality of sticking labels to its walls. Make sure that the small sticker located in the upper left corner on the front of the canister is in place. Check the integrity of the cover! “Counterfeit specialists” “break” the lid inside in order to open the canister without damage. After this, traces of mechanical damage (from the impact of a screwdriver or similar tool) remain on the lower rim.
On some canisters with fake oil, the cap can be unscrewed with minimal mechanical effort. After unscrewing it, you can see that all the antennae on the inside have been broken off. On the original packaging, you need to make a lot of effort to open the canister lid. Such Liqui Moly's trick was done deliberately so that when opened, the canister is damaged as much as possible, and accordingly, the original container cannot be reused.
Sample of official Liqui Moly certificate
How to protect yourself from purchasing a counterfeit? The first and basic rule is that you can buy guaranteed original Liqui Moly oil at official retail outlets. The company's official website contains a list of official representative offices in all countries of the world. In addition, such centers have official partners who sell not only Liquid Moli products, but also other brands. However, official partners must have a certificate from the Liqui Moly company with a mandatory seal and signature of the representative (that is, a specific retail outlet purchases products from official representatives).
Don't be shy to ask the sellers about this. If there are no such documents, it is better to refrain from purchasing! Refrain if you are offered oil at a price significantly lower than the market price. Very often it is the cost that captivates people.
The Liqui Moly motor oil catalog has a wide range to satisfy the needs of owners of passenger and commercial vehicles (vans, minibuses). The selection of line and type is carried out according to a standard algorithm - taking into account viscosity, standards and tolerances of automakers. As for counterfeits, by using simple verification techniques, you will minimize the risk of buying a counterfeit. In addition, always buy oil from trusted and reliable (“reputable”) stores.
