How long does motor oil last? Let’s understand the terms and conditions of storage.

17.03.2020

Issues discussed in the material:

• How long does motor oil last?
• What happens after the expiration date
• Signs of expired motor oil
• How to properly store motor oil

How long does motor oil last? Garage owners probably asked themselves this question when they discovered a canister of high-quality synthetics purchased a long time ago on sale. At first glance, it may seem that oil can be stored forever in its original packaging and in a dark corner.

However, manufacturers set much shorter expiration dates even with undamaged packaging. Naturally, oil in an open canister will lose its properties even faster, and if temperature changes are added to the influence of air, then the shelf life is reduced to very small values. Next, we will talk about how to store motor oil and what to do if its expiration date has expired.

How long does motor oil last?

It is impossible to give a definitive answer, because the expiration date depends on the condition of the motor oil: it is stored in an opened container or it is still in the original packaging. At the same time, various factors influence the lubricant that is in an open container.

Everything is a little clearer if we are talking about a hermetically sealed canister. In addition, the composition and manufacturers of the product should be taken into account. Most people know that lubricants are semi-synthetic, synthetic and mineral. Approximately, motor oil is stored for as long as stated on the original packaging. Under favorable conditions – approximately 5 years. Such a long period is relevant for certain semi-synthetic products and high-quality synthetic fluids. For mineral ones, if the packaging is not damaged, up to three years, although in reality no more than two.

As soon as lubricant is poured into a car engine, its properties immediately begin to change. It all depends on oxygen, upon contact with which various oxidation reactions occur, which leads to a change or loss of the specific properties of the motor oil.

Manufacturers of engine fluids use an artificial reduction in shelf life. In other words, sometimes you can see on the packaging that synthetics should be used within two to three years.

This position of the manufacturers is quite understandable. After all, everything changes very quickly, and the quality of lubricants must correspond to the updated power units. Those who think that internal combustion engines are not improving are mistaken. Vehicle manufacturing companies use the latest technologies, modern materials and various innovative moves. They force companies producing working fluids to produce products of higher quality, economical and efficient.

Lubricant manufacturers do not need to make a product with a long service life, because it quickly ceases to meet the requirements of car manufacturing companies. That's the whole secret for you. As soon as changes occur in the engine, it means that the structure of the fluid must also be changed.

It doesn’t really matter whether motor oil is stored in a barrel or a canister, the main thing is how long it should be kept in this condition. In any case, if the seal of the container is broken, the lubricating fluid begins to interact with air. Many lubricants, in principle, can remain open for about a year and a half. However, for this to happen, favorable conditions must be created. It is not recommended to use liquid that has been in the garage unsealed for even a couple of weeks.

The right choice

The main thing that is taken into account when intending to buy machine lubricant is whether it meets international quality standards. Since car engines are very different, the oils in the engine also differ from each other. Therefore, manufacturers always write in the manual what kind of motor oil needs to be poured into the power unit.

Engine oils do not have the same service life. Lubricants are divided into three types:

1. Mineral. They have the lowest price. It will not be possible to use them in winter. The engine simply will not start at temperatures below 25 degrees.
2. Semi-synthetic. Produced by mixing mineral water and synthetics. They are more expensive than mineral ones, but have higher characteristics. It is advisable to pour them into the internal combustion engines of cars with mileage from 100,000 to 500,000 km.
3. Synthetic. Manufactured in laboratory conditions. These motor oils do not change their performance in either heat or cold, so they can be used in any climate. The price of lubricants is quite high.

The shelf life of any type of motor oil is usually approximately three years after opening the container (subject to storage rules).

Drivers select the optimal lubricant, taking into account the climate, as well as their funds. It is not advisable to mix petroleum products. This is due to the fact that the oil of any manufacturer contains at least 15% of unique additives. In view of this, if another lubricant is poured into the motor, a reaction may begin that can lead to breakdown of the power unit.

What happens after the oil expires?

Most drivers opt for synthetic, hydrocracking or semi-synthetic motor oils. Car owners assume that as soon as the expiration date expires, the lubricant loses some properties and is no longer suitable for use.

However, this is a rather vague definition. Let's take a more specific look at what is happening to the product structure and why it is changing:

• Ash content . When considering various product characteristics, car enthusiasts ignore this parameter. Although its meaning is also important. It shows how much flammable components the motor oil contains. The norm is from 1.5 to 2%. If products are stored for a long time, the additives decompose and the amount of ash increases. As a result, the quality of the liquid becomes worse.
• Viscosity _ This characteristic begins to change over time because the process of additive decomposition begins. In addition, the composition is influenced by air, which gradually seeps into the sealed container, as well as sunlight, decreased temperature, etc. The lubricant can become thicker and more liquid.
• Additives . Many additives retain their properties for a short time. After the specified period, the lubricant loses the characteristics specified by the manufacturer.

If motor oil is stored for quite a long time, its specific gravity, kinematic viscosity, pour point, etc. change.

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Finished products cannot be stored longer than specified by the manufacturer. Even if all requirements, GOSTs and technological features are met.

Does the product have an expiration date and what is indicated in GOST?

Attention. Any oils, mineral or synthetic, have a certain shelf life, after which the lubricant loses its original and basic properties.

According to GOST 10541-78 “Universal motor oils and for automobile carburetor engines,” a maximum period of time is established for its use. Based on clause 6, subclause 6.2 “The guaranteed shelf life of automobile oils is five years from the date of manufacture.”

Signs of expired motor oil

Various reasons influence how long engine oil is stored after opening. In this case, the time period may not coincide with that specified by the manufacturer. In connection with this circumstance, any driver must understand for himself whether the product is suitable for use or not.

Before using the lubricant for its intended purpose, you need to check it, especially if it has been in the garage or storage room for a long time. So, you need to check:

1. Presence of sediment in the oil . If it is suitable for use, then there should be no sediment. However, occasionally there may be additives settled at the bottom. For example, in synthetics, you may find sediment in the lubricant you just purchased. Although you need to be careful, if the thickness of the sedimentary layer has increased during storage, we recommend not using this liquid.
2. Composition for homogeneity . You should pour the engine oil from one container to another and assess the condition of the lubricant. If it flows like water or stretches like jelly, then we do not recommend pouring such a substance into a vehicle.
3. Appearance . If the lubricating fluid is in good condition, then there are no air bubbles in it, it is uniform in structure and color.

Attention ! Engine oil poured into a vehicle should not be used for more than a year. At the end of this period, synthetic and mineral lubricants lose their properties.

This liquid should not be used for filling into a car; it must be disposed of. However, you cannot simply pour used grease under a bush, because it can harm the environment. In this regard, legal entities are obliged to hand over motor oil that has exhausted its service life to specialized companies for neutralization. Unfortunately, private individuals cannot take advantage of this recycling scheme.

A lubricant that has lost its characteristics or has expired should not be used for its intended purpose. In other words, if you pour such liquid into a car, the engine will experience oil starvation because it will not receive the necessary lubricating components, and then individual components of the engine will begin to break down.

If the engine components are damaged, then you will have to pay for expensive repairs to the power unit.

How to properly store motor oil

How long motor oil will be stored depends on the place where you have it, as well as on the temperature conditions and the container in which it is poured.

• In the garage.
  If you meet all the conditions indicated on the packaging (temperature, storage duration), then the lubricant will be stored in the garage without any problems for several years. It happens that you opened a container and used a certain volume of liquid. In this case, it is necessary to quickly find a use for the remaining part.

  If the container is opened, its contents should be stored for no more than 6 months. True, certain brands have an increased shelf life in accordance with the warranty, but it should be remembered that after a year the oxidation process begins in the lubricant. We do not recommend using such a product because it can damage vehicle components.

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  Semi-synthetic fluid does not like frequent temperature changes. For such lubrication, equal heating of the air is required, that is, you need a room with a constant temperature and without access to direct sunlight.

• In a canister.
  According to the instructions, in a canister that has not been opened, motor oil can be stored for about five years, maintaining a temperature regime of up to +20 ° C. If you have significant supplies of lubricant and you are going to find a use for them in the near future, then you should check whether the caps on the containers are tightly tightened and the storage conditions.

  There are manufacturers who guarantee that their synthetic product, even if it is in an already opened container, can not change its properties for five years. What is important here is what is included in the product and whether international quality standards have been met.

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  The packaging will help you understand how long motor oil can be stored and under what conditions it should be stored.

  For the most part, the grease from the started container is completely used within a year. However, you should not make large stocks of this product.

  Manufacturers of products do not recommend pouring it from the “original” container into another container, because oxygen will combine with the lubricant and the shelf life guaranteed by the manufacturers will decrease.

• In the car.
  You should not keep a canister of liquid in a car, because it is quite problematic to create the conditions necessary for proper storage, that is, maintaining the required temperature and humidity.

  The air in the car is usually warm, and in the summer it can even be hot. This temperature regime negatively affects the properties of motor oil.

  If the machine is actively used, then, in addition to temperature fluctuations, there are also different levels of humidity. In rainy weather it is naturally higher. On a hot day - lower. Each parameter affects synthetic motor oil, mostly negatively.

  Try to use the most optimal places for storage, and leave the vehicle as a last resort.

• in winter.
  Car enthusiasts are wondering whether it is permissible to leave lubricant in the winter in a garage that does not have heating, which means it is quite cold there.

  Experts say that this can be done if you follow a few simple rules:

  — The temperature near the container should be constant, no sudden changes . The liquid should not be allowed to freeze, as it will then lose its properties.

  — Check the traffic jams . Air should not get inside the canister, otherwise oxidation may occur. Ideally, the container should be sealed.

  Before using lubricant that has been in a cold room for a long time, shake it. The liquid will mix and there will be no sediment.

• In stock.
  Here, mineral liquid is stored in accordance with requirements that must be strictly followed, because large batches of products are stored there, and not a single product.

  Firstly, the temperature must be constant. It is necessary to read the manufacturer's recommendations indicated on the packaging.

  Secondly, humidity is maintained at the same level.

  Thirdly, old canisters of liquid are stored in one place, and new ones in another. You also need to constantly check the expiration date and remove those that are already out of date.

  The ideal warehouse is a dark and cool room.

• On the balcony
  You don't have a garage, but you have a balcony. The question arises how long motor oil can be stored there. Nothing new. The conditions stated on the packaging must be met. Moreover, this is a place in the apartment where in a certain season the air condition is almost always stable: both temperature and humidity. You just need to make sure that the sun's rays do not fall on the container with the liquid.

How long does motor oil last: opinions of car owners

1. Nuances of terminology. “You know that the expiration date is written as the period during which motor oil is stored. In other words, the container must be sealed. When they opened it and began to connect with oxygen, then the storage time became shorter. The lubricant begins to lose its properties, additives precipitate. Do you want to put this substance in your car?”
2. Where it deteriorates faster.
   “You can store it for 6 months, nothing will happen if the motor oil is recently manufactured. It is much more likely to lose its characteristics in an internal combustion engine rather than in a container, because high temperature promotes faster coking and lint formation.”

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3. Storage conditions.
   “If motor oil is stored at home, then you can refill it safely even after 5 years. Of course, provided that the temperature remains constant. It is clearly stated on the packaging that the guaranteed shelf life is five years in any case.”
4. Can it be stored open?
   “I think the difference between open and closed containers is how much oxygen is in the engine oil and how the lubricant is stored in the future. If the canister is poorly closed or completely open, and is constantly stirred (if it is in the car), then after six months it can no longer be used.”
5. What to do with expired oil.
   “If the liquid is not suitable for a car, then you can find another use for it. For example, use it to clean rust on tools, hinges, etc.”

It is not recommended to use late

Precipitation or cloudiness of the substance indicates a delay.

It is worth using it only in one case: if your goal is to lead your iron horse to an early breakdown. It makes sense to use it only for lubrication of fasteners or moving elements, or where high quality characteristics are not required.