Does oil go bad?

[bmwpower]

As in motor oil. I've heard of other people stocking up on oil for their cars, something as much as a couple years worth.

Does this stuff have a shelf life?

 

[malibu101]

Well, it's only been under the ground for over 2 million years. What's another 3 years on your shelf.
Seriously, I don't know.

 

[-pru-]

Although I could not find an immediate answer with a quick search on "shelf life", I'm sure this site will answer all your questions:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

 

[Flathead Youngin']

I've always wondered this too. The last time Wally World ran a sale on oil, I bought every case and 4-5 quart containter of Penzoil 10-30 and 40.....I didn't have to buy oil for about 6 years.......pretty nice after the oil prices went up.......

i bought oil filters for our camry and my chevy v8 at the swap meets and flea markets.......only recently, did i run out of ones for the camry.......timings just right, though, i think i'm gonna sell it....

ok, i'll quit rambling.....been a long day, just want to talk to others about things i like.....

As in motor oil. I've heard of other people stocking up on oil for their cars, something as much as a couple years worth.

Does this stuff have a shelf life?

 

[-pru-]

Okay after bit more searching, I found at least one thread on the noted site regarding shelf life:

http://theoildrop.server101.com/for...ords=shelf+life&topic=&Search=true#Post863629

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Not sure about auto oils and could not find anything quickly, but Aeroshell aviation piston oils do not have a published shelf life... "AeroShell W Oils are inherently stable in storage. Providing that they have been stored and handled correctly, prolonged storage does not have any effect on their quality, properties or performance."

There is not much difference from aircraft to automotive oils. One main difference is that aircraft oil does not have zinc in it, an excellent wear additive, but causes problems in aircraft engines due to the higher heat of an aircooled engine.

Charles

Charles

 

[bmwpower]

Thanks. I'm guessing synthetic oil is going to last longer than dino oil?

 

[Junkman]

I can only report what I have been told by some of the oil company reps. They claim that the oil doesn't go bad, but the specification is for certain type of vehicles, and as long as you don't use an older specification oil in a newer car, it won't matter. So if you have oil that you purchased in 1995 and only use that oil in cars produced in 1995 or earlier, it is fine. If you use it in a vehicle that was produced in 2005 and that engine has a different oil grade requirement, then the old oil can do damage to the vehicle. Seems that the oil manufacturers are constantly changing the additive package to keep pace with modern technology.

 

[bmwpower]

I wanted to bring this back up to see if anyone has more input. Considering purchasing gallon containers of Redline for my vehicles since it's more economical in the long run and easier to deal with. The only problem is I will probably have some remaining, maybe for a year or more. Now this stuff is synthetic, so I'm guessing it should last fairly long in an open (yet closed) container in my heated garage, right?

Any thoughts?

BTW: This place seems have good prices and has the gallon jugs of just about anything:

http://www.synlubes.com/

 

[Uncle Buck]

I would like to purchase oil by the 30-55 gallon drum and just pump it out but I do not have the room in my small shop to do that.

 

[64auto]

I can only report what I have been told by some of the oil company reps. They claim that the oil doesn't go bad, but the specification is for certain type of vehicles, and as long as you don't use an older specification oil in a newer car, it won't matter. So if you have oil that you purchased in 1995 and only use that oil in cars produced in 1995 or earlier, it is fine. If you use it in a vehicle that was produced in 2005 and that engine has a different oil grade requirement, then the old oil can do damage to the vehicle. Seems that the oil manufacturers are constantly changing the additive package to keep pace with modern technology.

Same as what my reps. tell me