Hi guys
Does engine oil have a shelf life?
I was thinking of stocking up of a few tubs while I have a bit of spare cash. I change the oil in our 5 every 6 months so the next changes are dues in October 2009 and April 2010.
If I buy the oil now will it still be ok to use in October and may next year?
thanks
Tony
I have been doing something similar for years now, without any problems as far as I know. When a special offer is on my preferred oil I buy as much as I can afford at the time.
I picked up a stack of AC-Delco 10W-40 semi-synthetic at a show recently. They had a date stamp on them of feb 2009, which I guess is why they were being sold for £10 per 5 liters.
If we consider the simplest recommendation for oil changes, say, 12,000 miles or one year, I cannot believe that oil sitting in a cool container for twelve months undergoes anything remotely like the level of degradation that the oil in an engine undergoes in 11,999 miles. Oil breakdown is caused by shear, very high pressures, very high temperatures, acids from the combustion process etc. Sitting in a container on the shelf, the only process that could damage an oil is oxidation. There is next to no oxygen in a full container and anyway normal temperatures are way too low for any problem to occur.
I’m convinced that the time limits suggested for servicing are just to make sure that very low mileage drivers got their cars looked at to avoid problems with corroded brake drums, handbrakes etc.
In short I can see no reason why an oil should not have a virtually unlimited shelf life.