PU Oil Dates

[BlueOvalFitter]

While at my local Walmart last night I was looking at the stamped dates on the PU qt. containers. Some of the oil was SM and dated as far back as April 2009. Some were SN and dated as new as Jan. 2013.
There is still plenty of it on the shelf and they are all priced at $5 per qt. Are the older dated SM containers still as good as the newer SN version? What about the older dates? I know oil does not have an expiration date........or does it?

 

[Gabe]

If I remember right, there have been 4 different formulations of PU. The original SM formula had a extremely hefty additive pack - Pennzoil put everything but the kitchen sink into it. The second SM slightly weaker - 150 ppm of boron instead of the original 500 and wasn't strictly a Ca base. The third SM and first SN has the current additive pack with a higher Ca and lower moly but the high NOACK. The second SN is the current one.

Did I miss any??

 

[danthaman1980]

IIRC, most of the major manufacturers have said that motor oil has a normal shelf life of 5 years or more. It doesn't 'expire', but it slowly degrades with time. The shelf at wal-mart is probably the ideal storage environment though - constant, controlled temperature, low humidity. Oil would probably be good for 15 years in that environment.

SM vs SN is only really an 'issue' if you plan to use it in a vehicle that specifies SN.

As far as which is the 'best', you're splitting hairs. As Gabe noted above, PU has changed a little bit over the years - but PU is still PU.

 

[StevieBoy]

Show the dates to the auto manager. Maybe he will cut you a deal. You'll still have a great oil at a good price.

 

[147_Grain]

Good idea.

 

[Art_Vandelay]

Did the SM version use the Gas To Liquid (GTL) basestock?

 

[KHP]

Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
Did the SM version use the Gas To Liquid (GTL) basestock?


It didn't to my knowledge. GTL didn't start until PU SN.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
Did the SM version use the Gas To Liquid (GTL) basestock?


I don't believe so. The GTL base is the reason for the insanely low NOACK on the current version.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Yeah, Show the dates to the auto manager and offer $2.50/qt for all remaining SM stock.

 

[Art_Vandelay]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Yeah, Show the dates to the auto manager and offer $2.50/qt for all remaining SM stock.


I agree. Then print out the $25 Pennzoil Warranty Rebate and mail it in.

 

[Dwight_Frye]

I just purchased two sealed cases of 6 qts, 5w30 weight Ultra. Curious, I checked the date codes and all the bottles are dated March 2012. I plan on using it in my '09 Nissan 370Z with the VQ engine. What do I have, SM or SN and does it matter ? I have been using Redline 5w30 since the 5,000 mile mark with good Blackstone reports doing 5000 mile OCI's. I'll run the Ultra for 5000 miles and do a Blackstone analysis and see how it compares.

 

[Art_Vandelay]

Originally Posted By: Dwight_Frye
I just purchased two sealed cases of 6 qts, 5w30 weight Ultra. Curious, I checked the date codes and all the bottles are dated March 2012. I plan on using it in my '09 Nissan 370Z with the VQ engine. What do I have, SM or SN and does it matter ? I have been using Redline 5w30 since the 5,000 mile mark with good Blackstone reports doing 5000 mile OCI's. I'll run the Ultra for 5000 miles and do a Blackstone analysis and see how it compares.


If it's dated March 2012 it's SN. Look carefully at the label it will say API SN on it somewhere.

 

[Darren270]

Quote:
I just purchased two sealed cases of 6 qts, 5w30 weight Ultra. Curious, I checked the date codes and all the bottles are dated March 2012... What do I have, SM or SN and does it matter ?


Doesn't it say on the API symbol printed on the bottle?

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: Darren270
Quote:
I just purchased two sealed cases of 6 qts, 5w30 weight Ultra. Curious, I checked the date codes and all the bottles are dated March 2012... What do I have, SM or SN and does it matter ?


Doesn't it say on the API symbol printed on the bottle?

All the bottles I looked at the API symbol with the rating was on the back of the bottle.

 

[Art_Vandelay]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: Art_Vandelay
Did the SM version use the Gas To Liquid (GTL) basestock?


I don't believe so. The GTL base is the reason for the insanely low NOACK on the current version.


That's what I thought. Pennzoil should've marketed the low NOACK Volatility and GTL base stock angle with this oil.

 

[crazyoildude]

I Love PU problem is they priced that oil like it was liquid gold and very few would buy it... The good thing is they realized when the price goes way up people stop buying the oil.

 

[LScowboy]

I hate to get all married up to this oil, because it is apparently going away, getting hard to find at many places now!

I enjoy finding it on clearance, but I have a feeling I am gonna be choosing yet another oil in a few months due to no availability

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

Originally Posted By: LScowboy
I hate to get all married up to this oil, because it is apparently going away, getting hard to find at many places now!

I enjoy finding it on clearance, but I have a feeling I am gonna be choosing yet another oil in a few months due to no availability

I just posted this because "if" I ever decide to buy PU I want to know if the dated oil is ok. I never use the same oil brand.

 

[Dwight_Frye]

Originally Posted By: Darren270
Quote:
I just purchased two sealed cases of 6 qts, 5w30 weight Ultra. Curious, I checked the date codes and all the bottles are dated March 2012... What do I have, SM or SN and does it matter ?


Doesn't it say on the API symbol printed on the bottle?


There is no API symbol on the bottle nor mention of API anywhere. It says Ultra "Euro L" Specially Formulated for European Vehicles. Meets or exceeds the requirements of ACEA A3/83/84 ACEA C2 & C3, BMW LL-04 MB Approval 228.51, VW 504 00/507 00, Chrysler MS-11106.
What the heck is this stuff ? I bought it from Amazon.com

 

[351mustang65]

I have looked EVERYWHERE around here for PU and have finally just got 3 quarts of 5w20 & 3 of 5w30 being shipped to a Walmart by me for my 04 Mercury Mountaineer premier with the 4.6 and now you guys got me wondering about the dates on the stuff.

Would the new PP be better then old PU?