Motor oil Nissan 5W40 - one of the most counterfeited on the Russian market. According to RNP "Rosstandart", up to 30% of oils of this brand on free sale turn out to be counterfeit. At the same time, fakes are not just worse in quality - they can accelerate engine wear by 40-50% after just 10,000 km, which is confirmed by laboratory tests of independent experts. In this article, we will look at how to distinguish original oil from counterfeit oil using 12 key features, including hidden markings that only dealers know.
The problem is aggravated by the fact that counterfeits are almost indistinguishable in appearance from the original: the same canister, label, even the barcode may be the same. However, there are parts for which the manufacturer Nissan Motor Oil draws attention to in official memorandums for service stations. We have collected all relevant information, including data from internal company documents, and systematized it into checklists and tables for easy verification.
Why Nissan 5W40 is counterfeited: the economics of counterfeiting
Oil Nissan 5W40 (article KE900-90132) are counterfeited more often than others for three reasons:
- 💰 High margin: the cost of a fake is 150-200 rubles per liter, but they sell it at the price of the original (800-1200 rubles/l).
- 🚗 Brand popularity: oil goes into warranty vehicles Nissan Qashqai, X-Trail, Almera, so demand is stable.
- 🔍 Weak control: unlike Mobil 1 or Castrol, y Nissan There is no own canister tracking system.
According to Federal Customs Service of Russia, in 2023, 12 tons of counterfeit oil under the brand were seized Nissan, with 60% of the batch intended for dealerships. Fraudsters often use original cans, which they buy from resellers on the secondary market (for example, after disposing of oil at a service station). A cheap mineral base with low quality additives is poured inside.
- From an official dealer
- In a large auto store (for example, Autoalley)
- On the marketplace (Ozon, Wildberries)
- In a small store/market
- I order directly from Japan
Sign 1: packaging and canister - what to check first
Original canister Nissan 5W40 has 7 unique security elements that are difficult to counterfeit:
- Canister material: original made from high density polyethylene (HDPE) with a matte finish. Counterfeits are often made of glossy plastic or PET (like bottles).
- Seam at the bottom: in the original it is smooth, without sagging. Fakes often have a rough seam with burrs.
- Cover: on the original - aluminum foil under plastic cap with logo Nissan. For fakes, the foil is missing or replaced with cardboard.
Pay special attention the neck of the canister: the original has it 3 lugs to fix the lid, and on the inside of the cap there is rubber gasket ring with micro-inscription "NISSAN". In fakes, the gasket is either missing or made of foam rubber.
☑️ Checking the Nissan 5W40 canister
Sign 2: label - where to look for hidden markings
Original oil label Nissan 5W40 printed using the method offset printing using UV inks. When illuminated with an ultraviolet lamp (you can use a flashlight with a UV LED), it shows:
- 🔦 Nissan logo in the upper right corner (light green tint).
- 🔦 Serial number under the barcode (red).
- 🔦 Year of manufacture in format
YY(for example, “23” for 2023) is blue.
On fakes, the UV marking is either absent or poorly executed (blurred contours, incorrect colors). Also check font on label: the original has the letters “Nissan” serifs at the ends, and the numbers are in the article (KE900-90132) printed in font Arial Narrow. Counterfeits often use a bold sans serif font.
| Sign | Original | Fake |
|---|---|---|
| UV marking | Logo + serial number + year | Missing or blurry |
| Nissan font | Serif, thin | Sans serif, bold |
Article KE900-90132 |
Arial Narrow font | Any other font |
| Label color | Deep black with gloss | Gray or dull |
If you don't have a UV flashlight, shine a bright smartphone light on the label at a 45° angle. A slight rainbow reflection will appear on the original (a “hologram” effect), but not on a fake.
Sign 3: barcode and serial number - how to check online
Each canister of original oil Nissan 5W40 has a unique 13-digit barcode (format EAN-13) and serial number underneath it. The check takes 2 minutes:
- Scan the barcode via the app CheckMark or Barcode Scanner. The original has a country of origin - Japan (code 490-499) or France (code 300-379) (if the oil is packaged for the European market).
- Check the serial number on the website Nissan Global in section
Product Verification. The original number must be displayed in the database indicating the production date.
⚠️ Attention: scammers often use "live" barcodes from original canisters, so checking only on it does not guarantee authenticity. Always check the barcode with the serial number - they must match in the manufacturer's database.
What should I do if the barcode cannot be scanned?
If the barcode is damaged or unreadable, try entering it manually in the service Barcode Live. If the system gives an error or a country other than Japan/France, this is 100% fake.
Sign 4: Oil consistency and smell - test without laboratory
Even without special equipment, you can identify a fake by the physical properties of the oil:
- 🧪 Color: original oil Nissan 5W40 has amber-golden hue (like liquid honey). Counterfeits are often darker (brown) or cloudy.
- 👃 Smell: the original smells light synthetic fragrance (similar to the smell of new plastic). Counterfeits have a strong chemical odor or odor burnt rubber.
- ❄️ Cold test: Place the canister in the refrigerator for 2 hours. The original will remain fluid, the fake will thicken or form flakes.
For a more accurate check, drop oil onto white sheet of paper and let it flow:
- The original forms smooth spot with clear edges.
- The fake leaves divorces or dark sediment in the center.
If the oil at room temperature has the consistency of thick sour cream or bubbles are visible on it, this is a sure sign of a fake. Original synthetic oil Nissan 5W40 always homogeneous and transparent.
Sign 5: place of purchase - where the risk of running into a fake is maximum
According to statistics Association of Automobile Dealers of Russia (AADR), the likelihood of buying a fake depends on the place of purchase:
| Place of purchase | Risk of counterfeiting | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Official dealer Nissan | 1-2% | The oil is supplied directly from Japan |
| Large chains (for example, Avtoalleya, AvtoMag) | 5-10% | There are contracts with official distributors |
| Marketplaces (Ozon, Wildberries, AliExpress) | 30-50% | High risk of “gray” supplies |
| Markets, small shops | 70-90% | Counterfeits are often sold under the guise of “stock” |
⚠️ Attention: Even official dealers have “mis-grades” - when they mistakenly issue oil for a different region (for example, the Asian version instead of the European one). Always check article number KE900-90132 And country of origin on the canister. For Russia and Europe, the oil must be packaged in France (plant Nissan Lubricants Europe in Lyon).
What to do if you have already filled in a fake: instructions from mechanics
If you suspect that you have filled in counterfeit oil, follow the algorithm:
- Stop using the vehicle immediately. A counterfeit product may contain abrasive particles or aggressive additives that will damage the engine.
- Drain the oil and flush the system with a special flush (for example, Liqui Moly Oil-Schlamm-Spulung).
- Replace the oil filter — there may be particles of counterfeit left in it.
- Go to the service for engine diagnostics. Be sure to check:
- Condition oil pump (counterfeits often cause it to jam).
- Level compression in cylinders.
- Availability metal shavings in the pallet.
If the mileage on fake oil is less than 500 km, the risk of serious consequences is minimal. If more, get ready for major renovation (according to statistics, 1 out of 5 engines after 10,000 km on a fake requires replacement of liners or boring of cylinders).
Take a photo of the canister and receipt before draining the oil. If the engine fails, this evidence will help recover damages from the seller through the court (Article 18 of the Law on Protection of Consumer Rights).
FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions about Nissan 5W40 oil
Is it possible to mix original Nissan 5W40 oil with a fake?
No! Counterfeits often contain incompatible additiveswhich may cause coagulation (coagulation) of butter. This will lead to blockage of the oil passages and engine oil starvation.
How often is oil counterfeited at dealerships?
According to Nissan Russia, in 2023, 3 cases of oil changes were identified at dealership centers (in Moscow, Yekaterinburg and Krasnodar). All of them are associated with unscrupulous employees who bought cheap analogues and resold them as the original. To avoid this, require show the canister before filling and keep the receipt indicating the article number.
Is there a mobile app to check originality?
Yes, Nissan released the official application Nissan Genuine Parts (available for iOS and Android). Here you can scan the QR code on the canister or enter the serial number. The application will show the production date and country of origin. You can download from the links:
What is the difference between Nissan 5W40 oil for Russia and the version for Japan?
Russian version (article KE900-90132) has increased package of detergent additives to combat carbon deposits from low quality fuel. Japanese version (item KE900-90130) is designed for high-octane gasoline and is not suitable for Russian conditions - it oxidizes faster.
Is it possible to return counterfeit oil to the store?
Yes, according to Article 18 of the Law “On Protection of Consumer Rights”, you can return goods of inadequate quality within 14 days (even if the canister is opened). To do this you need:
- Write a complaint addressed to the store director.
- Carry out independent examination (cost ~1500 rub.).
- If the examination confirms that it is a fake, the store is obliged to return the money or replace the product.