Saving left over oil

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I have two 5 quart jugs of QS High Mileage with some oil left in them from previous changes. How long will this oil last?
 
I wonder about condensation getting in the bottle, once open from changes in temperature? Previously, I always felt good using opened oil, but this got me thinking!
 
Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
If the container is tightly sealed not in direct sunlight many years, probably a decade and the additives will still be fine.


Exxon says 12 months once opened and 60 months in a sealed container kept from freezing. I read this somewhere on the Mobil website.
 
I'm not sure if they vacuum seal oil bottles. I think they do, but the general rule of thumb is 5 years for a sealed bottle. I really don't think it makes a difference if you've opened it or not imo. I do believe that if you're going to store oil for a long period of time that you should keep it at a constant temp. Inside the house is where I keep mine.
 
I've watched people put oil in their cars that is well over 2 years old that was opened when it was bought, none of them have had a lubrication related break down I know of.
 
Originally Posted By: Doog
Exxon says 12 months once opened and 60 months in a sealed container kept from freezing. I read this somewhere on the Mobil website.


Exxon does say this, but a 5 year shelf life is [censored]. There's no evidence that the oil and additives wear out sitting in the container, and several members here have used oil more than a decade old with no problems (and even had a VOA done before using it IIRC). Also oil isn't vacuum sealed so having the bottle open isn't really a major factor either.

Exxon says this to sell more oil.

Valvoline says there is no documented expiration date and that the product is stable, and can be used as long as the API rating is still applicable for your vehicle. They do however suggest shaking an older bottle of oil in case the additives settle. http://www.valvoline.com/faqs/motor-oil/general-motor-oil/
 
Correct me if I'm wrong but even if there was a slight amount of condensation in the bottle, wouldn't the engine burn it off quickly once warmed?

Not saying water in the engine is good, just saying a drop of water may be splitting hairs.
 
Don't worry about it. I have a frankenbrew going into my next OCI. All the leftover half quarts get poured into a Mobil 5000 5qt bottle and sealed up with its original cap. In it is a mix of Mobil 5000, castrol Syn blend, Amsoil XL, Lubro Moly, QSUD, and something else I can't quite remember. But its all unused oil.
Sure its a crazy mix, but I don't think my 200K mile Nissan Pickup is really gonna care. As long as its all new, and has a fresh filter....I'm good to go.
 
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If the rotten dynasauruses could spend millions of years under ground, I don't think a few years above ground will make a huge difference.

I have used oil that was opened 5 years ago to get the rings off the caps for rebate purposes (Pennzoil Platinum) and it my engine survived.

Oil and water do not mix in the first place. So, if ANY water were to get into the oil, it will justsink to the bottom, and you will see it. But, first, you have to establish a mechanism of how the wanter in the air is going to enter into the oil.

Even if the manufacturers sealed the oil under nitrogen, or vacuum, the itzy bitzy little head space that replaced the nitrogen or vacuum will have less than a 1/10th of drop of water in the air. Which will boil off as soon as the oil is at operating temperature.
 
Originally Posted By: zeke1985
I have two 5 quart jugs of QS High Mileage with some oil left in them from previous changes. How long will this oil last?

I don't know why this quest alway pops up.
Oil will last forever. You could put in your will if you like.
I have all kinds of odds and ends including some 25 year old dino oil I still use in my lawnmower.

As others have mentioned, the oil will go out of date, no longer meet future standards, but the oil it self won't deteriorate in any way.
 
people ask it because oil prices keep going up. its natural to want to over buy and hoard. i myself also do it, but i am comfortable only have a 3-4 year stash versus a 20 year apocalypse mound.
 
Originally Posted By: CATERHAM

I don't know why this quest alway pops up.
Oil will last forever. You could put in your will if you like.
I have all kinds of odds and ends including some 25 year old dino oil I still use in my lawnmower.

As others have mentioned, the oil will go out of date, no longer meet future standards, but the oil it self won't deteriorate in any way.


Exactly, and if you're worried shake the bottle before you pour it in.
 
These questions always baffled me as well. Most people don't think twice about leaving oil in the crank case for months, but when it sits on the shelf in a closed bottle, all of the sudden they think it will go bad, like a carton of milk.

I bet there is a lot of good oil wasted every year, just because of that thinking.
 
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