M1 (10w-30) pours dark brown out of new unopened bottle of unknown age. I am only familiar with a lighter amber color for oil. Oil was kept in garage cupboard under moderate SoCal temps many years.
Can it still oxidize sealed & no sun?
I've used Havoline conventional dated between 1980 and 1987 in vehicles in the past without problems. Found a goldmine of the stuff in the early 2000's at a garage sale an elderly lady was having after her husband passed away. There was around a dozen 12 quart cases of the stuff, a dollar a case. I've used it mostly in older vehicles (that recommended the spec), lawn mowers and other yard implements. I have one case remaining and have no qualms about using it.
I would think that a synthetic motor oil made to more modern, stringent standards would be alright!
Maybe for giggles I'll have to get a VOA done on a quart of my Havoline, see if any of my engines are systematically doomed. I don't fret, though.
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Do the oil makers put a 'date code' on oil bottles?
Found YouTube videos showing how to read and interpret oil jug manufacture date codes even one where there is a date code on the front and it says on the back it's good for five years. So therefor my Valvoline bottle showing J1917 would mean Oct. 19 2017 manufacture date because J is the 10th letter and Oct. is the 10th month.
Had a half bottle of Pennzoil Platinum 5W30 dated 2006. Looked fine. Went in my Mitsubishi last oci. Also found a half quart of Pennzoil Platinum 10W30 dated 2008. That’s going in next.