Left over Motor Oil - Use or not?

[afeef745]

I have some left over motor oils, and wondering if I can use it in my snow thrower, assuming that it will get 10 hours of use this winter season. All of these have been kept inside the house, and in their original boltless with caps shut tight. Wondering if I can use the following left over motor oils, and which ones can be combined with which?

• Non-Synthetic 10w-30 with SJ classification, about 6 years old.
• Non-Synthetic 10w-30 with SN classification, about 4 years old.
• Full Synthetic 5w-30 with SN classification, about 2 years old.

Thanks in advance!

 

[23ford]

Sure should be good oil has no bad by date

 

[Gutman]

Already as old as dinosaurs, at least the non-synthetic.

Not sure about combining synth/nonsynth, but I've combined some dino 10W-40s and 10w-30s for lawnmower, snowblower, and a few other small engines because otherwise, it just accumulates.

I just found a full 5 gal bucket of rotella 15w-40 in my garage where the lid cracked and I'm thinking through some ways to salvage it. I'm not sure yet whether water or dust may have gotten in it.

 

[firebirdparts]

Great lawn mower choices. I wish I had those. I am always looking for something to put in a small engine.

 

[csp]

Unless your snowblower is brand new and specifies only using oil with the lastest API rating I can't think of a single reason why you couldn't use them.

 

[frank001]

I have some left over motor oils, and wondering if I can use it in my snow thrower, assuming that it will get 10 hours of use this winter season. All of these have been kept inside the house, and in their original boltless with caps shut tight. Wondering if I can use the following left over motor oils, and which ones can be combined with which?

• Non-Synthetic 10w-30 with SJ classification, about 6 years old.
• Non-Synthetic 10w-30 with SN classification, about 4 years old.
• Full Synthetic 5w-30 with SN classification, about 2 years old.

Thanks in advance!

Any of them can be combined together, and there is no 'use by' date for motor oil.

 

[sberry]

The SJ isnt real current, but agree with the blower could dump them all together.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Id run all of them in my old push mower.

 

[ripperd]

Honestly, if the containers are still sealed, I would have no problem running it in a daily driver as well.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

As long as it was sealed I say yes absolutely you can. I would have a problem using it in anything it would make good top off oil or good small engine oil like you mentioned.


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[Ralf11]

I asked both majors and some boutique oil co.s how long I could store their oil - not one of them would go past a year for shelf life.

- doesn't mean it won't be ok

- doesn't mean recycling it and buying new isn't a better idea

 

[AldeanFan]

I keep a gallon jug marked “Mystery Oil”

When I do an oil change, whatever is left goes in the mystery jug. Like my truck that takes 7.2L, the other .8L goes in the mystery jug.
Then the mystery jug is used for oil changes on yard equipment, or beater cars.
It’s a blend of everything from 0w20 synthetic to 15w40 diesel.

I use that in my ‘97 Grand Am beater from 160k to 200k when I traded it on my wife’s new car, never a problem.


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[afeef745]

Thanks a lot to everyone for responding.

 

[Dagny]

I mix it in with the bar oil.

 

[P0234]

It's gonna blow up. My third cousin's uncle's bro used leftover oil in his go cart after he removed the governor. Blew the piston out of the block.

 

[58Yeoman]

I keep a gallon jug marked “Mystery Oil”

When I do an oil change, whatever is left goes in the mystery jug. Like my truck that takes 7.2L, the other .8L goes in the mystery jug.
Then the mystery jug is used for oil changes on yard equipment, or beater cars.
It’s a blend of everything from 0w20 synthetic to 15w40 diesel.

I use that in my ‘97 Grand Am beater from 160k to 200k when I traded it on my wife’s new car, never a problem.


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That's a great idea! No more partial bottles sitting around taking up space.

 

[roc_on_the_rocks]

It's gonna blow up. My third cousin's uncle's bro used leftover oil in his go cart after he removed the governor. Blew the piston out of the block.

 

[greenskeeper]

motor oil is a perfect substitute for bar oil, unless you like paying for bar oil

 

[_Stang_]

I keep a gallon jug marked “Mystery Oil”

When I do an oil change, whatever is left goes in the mystery jug. Like my truck that takes 7.2L, the other .8L goes in the mystery jug.
Then the mystery jug is used for oil changes on yard equipment, or beater cars.
It’s a blend of everything from 0w20 synthetic to 15w40 diesel.

I use that in my ‘97 Grand Am beater from 160k to 200k when I traded it on my wife’s new car, never a problem.


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Do the same but with whiskey, lol. Last few ounces goes into my blend bottle to age. When bottle reaches half full we sample. You get some amazing flavor notes coming through.

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[InsanePyro]

The only people who think oil has a expiration date are the people selling oil

 

[demarpaint]

I have some left over motor oils, and wondering if I can use it in my snow thrower, assuming that it will get 10 hours of use this winter season. All of these have been kept inside the house, and in their original boltless with caps shut tight. Wondering if I can use the following left over motor oils, and which ones can be combined with which?

• Non-Synthetic 10w-30 with SJ classification, about 6 years old.
• Non-Synthetic 10w-30 with SN classification, about 4 years old.
• Full Synthetic 5w-30 with SN classification, about 2 years old.

Thanks in advance!

The oil will be fine, just shake it up real well before using it. Given the choices I would opt for 5W30 in a snowblower. It is better suited for a machine used in colder climates, like a snowblower, often used in subzero temperatures. I'd use the 10W30 in a lawn mower.

 

[DJF3]

Great lawn mower choices. I wish I had those. I am always looking for something to put in a small engine.

Lawnmowers have oil??? lol

 

[AldeanFan]

Do the same but with whiskey, lol. Last few ounces goes into my blend bottle to age. When bottle reaches half full we sample. You get some amazing flavor notes coming through.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I may try this!


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[Copymutt]

You could try this

 

[CraigStu]

I agree w/ most others here. Just use it somewhere. I wouldn't even worry about the difference between 5-30 vs 10-30. Heck most any new car is using either 0-** or 5-**. One of your engines that you were wondering change the oil now or wait til spring, do it now and use one of these oils. BTW, have you noticed new oil has several synthetic blends being sold? So, mix your syn and dino oils any way you want.

 

[Redwngr]

I keep a gallon jug marked “Mystery Oil”

When I do an oil change, whatever is left goes in the mystery jug. Like my truck that takes 7.2L, the other .8L goes in the mystery jug.
Then the mystery jug is used for oil changes on yard equipment, or beater cars.
It’s a blend of everything from 0w20 synthetic to 15w40 diesel.

I use that in my ‘97 Grand Am beater from 160k to 200k when I traded it on my wife’s new car, never a problem.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I use the 0.8L on the next oil change, to avoid aging it longer.

After the second oil change, the last container opened will have 0.6L.

etc, etc.

If I happen to need a top up between changes -- any open container gets put into service sooner.

 

[nadogail]

It may be useful as hydraulic fluid.

 

[CraigStu]

All the hydraulic fluid I have used in lifts and jacks was a lot thinner than 5-30 engine oil.

 

[ronr80]

I save all the oils used or new , you can use the used oil for oil can , and garage door hinges, or stuff around the shop, even under coat stuff, new oil is good for everything.

 

[Glemon]

I agree with InsanePyro above, when I read the original title of the post I thought it was going to be a question about used oil from oil changes.

Lastly, I always get the quarts for oil changes, not the 5 quart jugs if I can. Most of my cars take four quarts, it is easier to measure out four quarts from the separate containers than the big container. Plus when you are done you have a smaller container to store or throw in your trunk.

 

[Azzkker]

It's the additive package that has a "shelf life". It should be considered a " additive separation life". After an amount of time stationary, the additive in the oil start to separate on the molecular level and settle at the bottom. Once that starts to occur, the oil no longer meets the class certified on the label.

 

[matt_i]

It may be useful as hydraulic fluid.

I would only do that if I was stranded on the proverbial deserted island.

 

[afeef745]

Thanks a lot fellas....good ideas here

 

[LS6 Tommy]

The oil will be fine, just shake it up real well before using it. Given the choices I would opt for 5W30 in a snowblower. It is better suited for a machine used in colder climates, like a snowblower, often used in subzero temperatures. I'd use the 10W30 in a lawn mower.

Briggs recommends 5W30 Synthetic for 100° F down to below -20° F. Makes things easy for me. Every four stroke engine I own gets it,except for Mrs. LS6's CRV. Honda specs 0W20...They always have to be "different"...

Tommny

 

[m3bs]

I’m finding this to be more of a problem as manufacturers are calling for a specific specification on new cars. I’ve got a case of perfectly good M1 5w-30 that doesn’t meet spec for any of my current vehicles. Leftover BMW oil for a 2012 model that no longer meets spec for a 2019, etc. My lawn mower only uses about a quart per season if I change it bi-monthly, so that’s not much help.

 

[sberry]

Do the same but with whiskey, lol. Last few ounces goes into my blend bottle to age. When bottle reaches half full we sample.

Whiskey left in a bottle?????

 

[imjustdave]

Whiskey left in a bottle?????

I don't understand this concept either.

In terms of oil ... I would run it. or use it in the chainsaw bar oil. You didn't mention how much you had left. but unless I'm moving a stray bottle isn't a big deal to use up at some point in time.

 

[pcmeiners]

The only people who think oil has a expiration date are the people selling oil

Nice politically correct answer. Anyone thinking oil has an expiration date would believe the air we breath also has one.

 

[Ralf11]

not a chemistry major, eh?

 

[nadogail]

It may be useful as hydraulic fluid.

When I was a kid, the local gas station used leftover oil in his Air over Hydraulic Lift in his Service Bay.

Another drained the last few drops of oil from the cans into a drum from which he sold "Bulk Oil" to drivers wanting cheap oil for their clunkers.