Used oil "shelf life"?

[Yuk]

I've been drawing used samples from my '07 Mazda 6 Sport during each at-home oil change. I then store them to prove that the changes were done. I've felt this is necessary to prevent any future battles with the manufacturer and to preserve the car's warranty.

My question is:

Does used oil have a shelf life, beyond which it will continue to degrade and give inaccurate analysis results?

 

[simple_gifts]

Why don't you just keep receipts and a log?

 

[Yuk]

Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
Why don't you just keep receipts and a log?


I do.

I've heard of battles, even with receipts and a proper log. The service department at my dealership says that owner logs are susceptible to fraud, and rolled their eyes the first (and only) time I bought a factory oil filter. I now use Napa Gold.

 

[Fester]

Take a video of you changing the oil, hold up a daily paper showing the date and front page.

store the whole oil change in a hole in the ground.

Just kidding, see previous post.

 

[Vilan]

Whether or not the oil itself might degrade, the wear metals aren't going to go anywhere. Whatever Pb, Fe, etc is in there will be there 'til the end of time. No problem from an analysis point of view.

But honestly, if they won't believe your receipts and logs, why would they believe a pile of oil sample containers? Those could be faked too.

 

[[RT] ProjUltraZ]

logs can be fraud but receipts??

 

[Fester]

Sounds like Canadian dealers are bigger crooks than US dealers!
Guess they want you to do all maintenance at their site. Why not call Honda and ask them what they require, and servicing at the dealer exclusively or other shop is unacceptable.

 

[Yuk]

Thanks for the feed back,

... But, I'm not asking for advice on keeping service records. I would like to get answers about the stability of the used oil in storage.

P.S. I know I sound a little weird to be dealing with this issue, this way, but aren't we all just a little weird being members of BITOG in the first place?

 

[Gary Allan]

The consensus from Terry and Blackstone is that they're fine as long as the container is sealed and not exposed to light (I imagine that this is a UV degradation or bacteria growth thing for something like diesel fuel). I didn't ask for an explanation ..but that's what I reasoned.

 

[oilyriser]

Would you have to shake them every day to prevent the particles from settling? That would be an interesting pastime.

 

[TallPaul]

I'd shake them good before dumping into engine. If bubbly looking oil worrys you, then shake them a day before you pour.

 

[badnews]

Originally Posted By: Yuk
I've been drawing used samples from my '07 Mazda 6 Sport during each at-home oil change. I then store them to prove that the changes were done. I've felt this is necessary to prevent any future battles with the manufacturer and to preserve the car's warranty.

My question is:

Does used oil have a shelf life, beyond which it will continue to degrade and give inaccurate analysis results?


Saving that oil proves nothing

 

[Gary Allan]

Originally Posted By: badnews
Originally Posted By: Yuk
I've been drawing used samples from my '07 Mazda 6 Sport during each at-home oil change. I then store them to prove that the changes were done. I've felt this is necessary to prevent any future battles with the manufacturer and to preserve the car's warranty.

My question is:

Does used oil have a shelf life, beyond which it will continue to degrade and give inaccurate analysis results?


Saving that oil proves nothing


Neither does a log or receipts ..at least in a definitive way. Mind if I ask what your point was? Just curious.

 

[Yuk]

Quote:
Saving that oil proves nothing


Well your comment was useless, so I guess everything balances out.

I really wish I had never said why I'm saving the samples

. If you're so unimpressed with what I'm doing, why don't you just go read another post? Why do you and the other nay saying turkeys have to vaguely criticize me without giving a better alternative? Better yet, why don't you just answer my original question. Oh... I know, because you don't have an answer.

I think what I'm doing does prove something, because the samples are dated and I have camera dated photographs of the change and odometer readings.

If you think I'm nuts that's cool, but it would be a whole lot more helpful to me and everyone else if you’d post an intelligent answer, or at least insult me in a funny way. Right now, you only sound like a tool.

 

[FZ1]

O.K. Here's what to do. Get the changes done at your dealer till the warranty expires.

 

[badnews]

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Originally Posted By: badnews
Originally Posted By: Yuk
I've been drawing used samples from my '07 Mazda 6 Sport during each at-home oil change. I then store them to prove that the changes were done. I've felt this is necessary to prevent any future battles with the manufacturer and to preserve the car's warranty.

My question is:

Does used oil have a shelf life, beyond which it will continue to degrade and give inaccurate analysis results?


Saving that oil proves nothing


Neither does a log or receipts ..at least in a definitive way. Mind if I ask what your point was? Just curious.


That saving oil is a waste of space time and effort.
A log with receipts for oil filters grease purchased is the way to go for a win if the warranty is contested, which I have never heard of on an oil change issue . It would have to be real bad for it to even come up.

 

[Yuk]

Originally Posted By: badnews

That saving oil is a waste of space time and effort.
A log with receipts for oil filters grease purchased is the way to go for a win if the warranty is contested, which I have never heard of on an oil change issue . It would have to be real bad for it to even come up.


Thank you for all of your help.

Very insightful answer you gave on oil shelf life... You Rock!