Shelf life of unused oil?
06-30-2007, 11:20 AM
#1
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Shelf life of unused oil?
Time for my first oil change on my '06. I have a case of Pennzoil dino oil that I bought about 10 or 11 months ago. Any problem with using this oil?
07-01-2007, 01:08 AM
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Before using it : SHAKE IT 
Some additives seperate from the carrier oil & sink to the bottom after a while.
And you want those carefully selected expensive additives in your engine
Some additives seperate from the carrier oil & sink to the bottom after a while.
And you want those carefully selected expensive additives in your engine
07-31-2008, 07:32 PM
#6
sorry to bring back an old thread!
my friend gave me some mobil one 10w30 leftover in a gallon jug. the oil is about a year old. the seal is obviously broken, so i guess i should probably not use it for my next oil change?
my friend gave me some mobil one 10w30 leftover in a gallon jug. the oil is about a year old. the seal is obviously broken, so i guess i should probably not use it for my next oil change?
07-31-2008, 08:11 PM
#7
Amsoil states their synthetic oil has a 5 year shelf life. I believe most companies state the same thing. Check to see if the oil has a production date stamped on it. Mobil 1 has a life expectancy listed on their site somewhere (I've read it before - just didn't have the time to chase it down). I personally would turn in oil for recyling if it's much more than three years old. That's just me. I'd use oil if it's only a year oil though.
As for the "shake the oil" suggestion (back in time) - careful with that! Shaking oil introduces tiny air bubbles that can lead to a loss of lubrication and foaming of the oil. The best way to get much of the additive package back into solution is to first invert the bottle for a few minutes and then gently and smoothly rock the oil back and forth for a couple minutes more, being careful not to introduce too may bubbles. You're not mixing drinks.
As for the "shake the oil" suggestion (back in time) - careful with that! Shaking oil introduces tiny air bubbles that can lead to a loss of lubrication and foaming of the oil. The best way to get much of the additive package back into solution is to first invert the bottle for a few minutes and then gently and smoothly rock the oil back and forth for a couple minutes more, being careful not to introduce too may bubbles. You're not mixing drinks.
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08-01-2008, 06:14 AM
#9
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if its not moldy it should be fine...
I wouldn't worry about introducing air bubbles from shaking it. the cycle the oil sees in your engine is probably much more violent than what you could do by shaking.
I wouldn't worry about introducing air bubbles from shaking it. the cycle the oil sees in your engine is probably much more violent than what you could do by shaking.
08-01-2008, 07:24 AM
#10
Dino oil has already been on the shelf (continental 
) for millions of years. Seriously, the only thing I can think of is that the additives could be volatle and subject to evaporation and also subject to deterioration due to evaporation if not absolutly air tight. If this statement is true, then oil in cans would be safer longer than oil in plastic containers.
) for millions of years. Seriously, the only thing I can think of is that the additives could be volatle and subject to evaporation and also subject to deterioration due to evaporation if not absolutly air tight. If this statement is true, then oil in cans would be safer longer than oil in plastic containers.