Can an Engine Oil Expire? Just curious since I have zillions of Bottles of GC Laying Around My House.
Shelf Life of Engine Oil?
- Thread starter Screamin' V4
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I think a rule of thumb is about 10 years or so.
If nothing else, the API and ILSAC ratings may have become obsolete.
I think that's all you have to worry about, if you get new cars that is.
All depends on how it's stored and how tight the seal is on the oil. I'd think a plastic/foil sealed jug would be absolutely airtight. Caps on bottles aren't always sealed all that well. I usually tighten them a little bit, but not so much that I break the cap.
Moisture can make your oil unusuable. Some people have reported 5+ year old bottles or cans of oil came out almost milky after water contaminated the oil.
Moisture can make your oil unusuable. Some people have reported 5+ year old bottles or cans of oil came out almost milky after water contaminated the oil.
Thing with the ratings, it takes a while for most car makers to catch up. It will probably be a good 10 years till SM is the minimum oil required. Both my Hyundai's spec SH minimum, While most makers are currently on SJ minmum. There are a few that will be there a little faster.
My Saab spec'ed SJ in 2001, I don't even really know what these ratings mean.
Or, "green"
Thank you for contacting AMSOIL with your concerns.
In response to your inquiry, there really is no published shelf life on our motor oils. When stored properly (clean, dry environment), they should last for many years. Industry standard is anywhere between 2-3 years. Another item to consider is that performance specifications change throughout the years and you want to always ensure you are using a product that at least meets the minimum set of performance standards for the application.
Thank you again for the opportunity to respond to your concerns. As always, please feel free to contact us again if we can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Aaron Scanlon
AMSOIL Technical Service
In response to your inquiry, there really is no published shelf life on our motor oils. When stored properly (clean, dry environment), they should last for many years. Industry standard is anywhere between 2-3 years. Another item to consider is that performance specifications change throughout the years and you want to always ensure you are using a product that at least meets the minimum set of performance standards for the application.
Thank you again for the opportunity to respond to your concerns. As always, please feel free to contact us again if we can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Aaron Scanlon
AMSOIL Technical Service
Castrol's response:
There is no shelf life for Castrol Motor Oil, however we would suggest that for maximum protection and performance, the product be used within 5 years of the date of manufacture. Regardless of the storage conditions, moisture can get into the product via osmosis through the plastic.
Valvoline's response:
The Valvoline Company does not have a documented shelf life exposure on finished motor oil. We would expect under optimal conditions that the product would be stable for an extended period of time.
There is no shelf life for Castrol Motor Oil, however we would suggest that for maximum protection and performance, the product be used within 5 years of the date of manufacture. Regardless of the storage conditions, moisture can get into the product via osmosis through the plastic.
Valvoline's response:
The Valvoline Company does not have a documented shelf life exposure on finished motor oil. We would expect under optimal conditions that the product would be stable for an extended period of time.
The Shell site I think refers to 3 years or so. A lot depends on the quality to begin with. I've seen some oils precipitate within a year or less.
I recently openned some 4 year old product that had no obvious signs of deterioration or precipitation of additives.
I recently openned some 4 year old product that had no obvious signs of deterioration or precipitation of additives.
As someone who has always had a stash, I've used oil that was up to 6-7 years old before with no problems.
The UOAs came out good too!
I like Castrols reply.. " moisture can get into the product via osmosis through the plastic"
(And I have ALOT of Castrol oil in the stash.. I better watch out!)
Take care, Bill
The UOAs came out good too!
I like Castrols reply.. " moisture can get into the product via osmosis through the plastic"
(And I have ALOT of Castrol oil in the stash.. I better watch out!)
Take care, Bill
Your oil will expire 5-10k miles after you put it in your crankcase.
I'm counting on shelf life of about 10 years. My stash has almost doubled recently thanks to HD closeout Pennzoil and WM closeout Maxlife.
I'm counting on shelf life of about 10 years. My stash has almost doubled recently thanks to HD closeout Pennzoil and WM closeout Maxlife.
Kestas
Staff member
There is some truth to that. Plastic is permeable. Metal is not. I learned that in school. I too would have given the same answer if I was on Castrol's end of the conversation. Also, I've had some plastic containers start caving in after time that contained petroleum products. But I don't think this is a real problem with motor oil on practical terms.quote:
Originally posted by Bill in Utah:
I like Castrols reply.. " moisture can get into the product via osmosis through the plastic"
The Delo400 SAE30 (SJ) in my '92 Wrangler's 2.5L was dated 5/23/01 when I changed it back in spring. The oil looked normal and works well.
With the Autozone closeout and a ST43 filter, that oil change was around $4.00
With the Autozone closeout and a ST43 filter, that oil change was around $4.00
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