I have a lot of oil filters that I always seem to buy on sale. This has let to a horde of filters for cars I don't drive that much, as in antiques. Do the oil or even air filters have some sort of shelf life? I keep them in garage wrapped in plastic bags. Even my active cars have at least a 2-3 year supply of filters. thanks
do oil (or air) filters go bad??
- Thread starter greaseball
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If you keep them safe, they should last for ages. Air filters I am not as big on stocking up on, as they're changed much less often, prices flucuate less, etc. With oil filters it's easier get sucked into stocking up, as they often run much more significant sales, quality differences are much more noticeable, and I can fit a lot more of them in a plastic box or something.
Make sure there's no moisture around. Kepp in a dry place.
Officially filter companies won't take anything back that is 2-3 years old.
Unofficially spin-ons if kept away from moisture, heat, cold, ect and "should" last 5-7 years. The problem is the paper might become brittle and the gaskets harden so as not to form a good seal.
Air filters because there is no metal can proctecting them...again same keeping in a dry environment, no heat no cold..might last 3-5 years.
Btw..it is always good to look inside a filter that's been sitting a round a long time if stored in a garage. Funny how animals make their way inside and leave presents..
Officially filter companies won't take anything back that is 2-3 years old.
Unofficially spin-ons if kept away from moisture, heat, cold, ect and "should" last 5-7 years. The problem is the paper might become brittle and the gaskets harden so as not to form a good seal.
Air filters because there is no metal can proctecting them...again same keeping in a dry environment, no heat no cold..might last 3-5 years.
Btw..it is always good to look inside a filter that's been sitting a round a long time if stored in a garage. Funny how animals make their way inside and leave presents..
I just removed a Fram off my second car a 1994 Mitsu pickup that was a 15 year old new one never used.
My brother gave me 6 brand new ones he had bought for his Ford Probe he owned in the early 1990's .
I did an ARX treatment with this filter, worked out great .
Now I'm doing a rinse with another 15 year old Fram & these filters werent even designed for my truck, different number but both 4 cylinder vehicles & filters were very close on size..
My brother gave me 6 brand new ones he had bought for his Ford Probe he owned in the early 1990's .
I did an ARX treatment with this filter, worked out great .
Now I'm doing a rinse with another 15 year old Fram & these filters werent even designed for my truck, different number but both 4 cylinder vehicles & filters were very close on size..
Went to local Walmart a month ago to get new air filter for my Nissan Frontier, good thing I opened the box before purchasing. Some scuzball put their old filter in box while inside the store (probably did a scam such as turning in that item for refund). Good idea to check inside box before purchase I guess....
I've got enough filters for 7-9 years. I vacuumed packed them all.
I did the same as '00obw. Except I don't have a vacuume sealer, so I just used a ziplock bag and sucked the air out of it with a straw. If you practice a bit you can get a real tight fit. I then stored them in a plastic box with a locking type lid on the top shelf in my garage. This is probably overborad for oil filters, but I had nothing else to do that night.
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