What is the shelf life for PP?

[07_Tundra]

I keep it in my basement, so pretty good conditions. I already have a 2 year suppy but am thinking of getting more, what with the Wally World coupons.

I sent an email to Pennzoil, but haven't received a reply yet.
Anybody know for sure what the shelf life of PP would be?

 

[Gene K]

5 years is considered the conservative number if its protected from temperature extremes. It may be almost indefinite if stored in a sealed plastic container in a temperature controlled environment. PP supposedly already meets GF5 so you are not taking a step down in quality by buying now.

 

[07_Tundra]

Basements pretty steady. Might vary from 45 degress in the winter to 60 degress in the summer. So based on that I should be able to expect 5 years?
Maybe I will put it in plastic tubs also. If that's the case, I have more PP 5w20 to buy while I can get it for $15.50! (even if the won't send any oil change stickers)

 

[Gary Allan]

What is the shelf life for PP?

I'd say much longer than its current spec is good for. I think it will be obsolete before it is unsuitable for use otherwise.

Shaken, not stirred...

 

[GMorg]

My last three changes (GC green) have been aged 7 years before use. I think that the shelf life is much longer than 5 years.

 

[Bluestream]

Originally Posted By: GMorg
My last three changes (GC green) have been aged 7 years before use. I think that the shelf life is much longer than 5 years.


I agree. I think the 5 year number is only the Mfgrs trying to get you to use the stock up ASAP.

 

[river_rat]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
I agree. I think the 5 year number is only the Mfgrs trying to get you to use the stock up ASAP.

+1

Useless off-topic story to follow:
One time I dragged home a Thor wringer washing machine, circa 1920.
I drained the transmission to do some resto work and spilled the gear lube all over the garage floor. Judging by the drain plug, it was the original oil charge. I got busy with other things and didn't get back to even clean up the mess for about a month. By then the oil had self-polymerized itself into what looked like red silicone.
You could peel it off the floor and stretch it.
That was strange. I'm sure there was a fairly good amount of water and detergent in the oil just waiting for air to hit it. Maybe that had something to do with it.

 

[Gene K]

I would say 5 years would be very safe under those storage conditions. Personally I would be willing to go much longer under those conditions but Im uncomfortable advising others to do so.

However be honest with yourself about the likely hood of you still owning the vehicles that require it. Many vehicles have moved from 5W30 Conventional to 5W20 Synthetic Blend in recent years and now their is talk that a 0W30 Synthetic may soon be the new standard with increasing use of turbos and higher specific output.

 

[oliveoil]

5-7 )years easy, just shake it up for at least 2 min before opening and pouring.

 

[chet2]

i think it is 2 years so i will be over sometime and take it off your hands but if you want to roll the dice then i imagine at least 6 years is fine...if engines run with some of the crud and abuse they take i am sure 5 year old PP would be nectar of the gods....cold will separate the additives i know that, so at least shake it up

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: GMorg
My last three changes (GC green) have been aged 7 years before use. I think that the shelf life is much longer than 5 years.


I agree. I'm currently running 16 year old (SH variety) oil in my 2001 and 2002 without a problem.
I think that Gene K meant the 'original' sealed plastic container (and not moving it to another one).

 

[virginoil]

Originally Posted By: 07_Tundra
I keep it in my basement, so pretty good conditions. I already have a 2 year suppy but am thinking of getting more, what with the Wally World coupons.

I sent an email to Pennzoil, but haven't received a reply yet.
Anybody know for sure what the shelf life of PP would be?


Why bother stocking up?

I have seen this too many times on BITOG, the ultimate exlir, stock up until the new flavour of the month hits and then what ?

Is PP Ultra the new stock to trade ?

IMO its too early, Mobil, Havoline, Castrol etc are still yet to release their version.

 

[demarpaint]

5 years is a number I honestly think most oil companies tell you, and they probably state that because the oil will be obsolete around 5 years after the newest API flavor is released. In other words in about 4-5 years from the official launch of API SN, it will probably be replaced with API SO. In reality the shelf life is much much longer.

Last year I just finished using Mobil 1 API SE 10W30 oil in my mower. I shook the oil, it was perfect and little to no residue on the bottom of the plastic bottle.

If you see a good deal on PP grab it, as already mentioned it meets the new specs anyway.

 

[Gary Allan]

Quote:
Why bother stocking up?


Normally I would agree with you. Float with your need on the spot market, so to speak.

..but we get petroleum goods at a whopping discount to real value for the utility you extract from them. They're not going to be that way forever. The only problem that might arise is that newer automobiles may have requirements that the older formulation cannot meet.

It's like #6 fuel oil. They have to do something with it. They give it away to pay the bills.

 

[07_Tundra]

Originally Posted By: virginoil
Originally Posted By: 07_Tundra
I keep it in my basement, so pretty good conditions. I already have a 2 year suppy but am thinking of getting more, what with the Wally World coupons.

I sent an email to Pennzoil, but haven't received a reply yet.
Anybody know for sure what the shelf life of PP would be?


Why bother stocking up?

I have seen this too many times on BITOG, the ultimate exlir, stock up until the new flavour of the month hits and then what ?

Is PP Ultra the new stock to trade ?

IMO its too early, Mobil, Havoline, Castrol etc are still yet to release their version.


Well, the PP meets my needs very well, and I doubt that the oils you mention above will be any better. A great reason for stocking up is that I'm getting all the PP that I want for $15.50 per 5 qt. jug. As stated above this oil already meets GF5, so it's only smart to stock up. Plus my truck uses 7.5 qts per change. I also have a Honda van that uses the same viscosity oil,(5w20) so I could use it up real quick if I wanted to.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: virginoil

IMO its too early, Mobil, Havoline, Castrol etc are still yet to release their version.


Edge already meets the new spec, according to their tech people. I have a feeling the others do too, and it is just a matter of a label change at the official launch date.

 

[07_Tundra]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: virginoil

IMO its too early, Mobil, Havoline, Castrol etc are still yet to release their version.


Edge already meets the new spec, according to their tech people. I have a feeling the others do too, and it is just a matter of a label change at the official launch date.


That statement was actually made by demarpaint. I agree that most, if not all of the companies are already shipping the new spec oil. I also, think ANY of the mentioned oils (plus others) are great oils that you can't go wrong with. Having said that though, I will never again use any BP product. just my own personal feeling on the subject. The biggest reason I'm stocking up on PP is simply price.

 

[Johnny]

The reply you get from Pennzoil will probably be 5-years but it will handle 7-years without any concerns. Buy away if that is what you want to do.

 

[07_Tundra]

Thanks for all the replies. Right now, it looks like my buying will be on hold a little bit. I've cleared both of my local Walmarts out of PP 5w20. Have to wait for more to come in, but with Walmart, they are so slow to get more in that the coupons might be out by then. Hope not!