With the spout that you puncture the can with.
Engine OIL Shelf Life?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 182
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Engine OIL Shelf Life?
Hi Guys I have some Mobil 1 oil I have had fro a few years Brand new unopened is it ok to use on my next oil change does it have a shelf life?
In know if you don't use your car you should still cahnge the engine oil once a year
In know if you don't use your car you should still cahnge the engine oil once a year
Retired & lovin' it!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,475
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From: Jackson NJ
No shelf life for motor oil. Only exception would be some very, very old metal cans I've seen with exterior rust. There's certainly no rust inside the can, but there's the risk of rust flakes getting into the oil when the can is opened. But in any case, "tin" cans were obsolete for motor oil long before synthetics became available, so not to worry.
PS...how many of us remember motor oil in metal cans?
PS...how many of us remember motor oil in metal cans?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,312
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From: Ridgeland MS
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
Originally Posted by Dave S
PS...how many of us remember motor oil in metal cans?
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,324
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From: Guelph, Ontario
There is some mixed opinions on the topic of shelf life of motor oil, as some oil manufacturers will tell you 3-4 years, some will say 5, while others will say it can last almost indefinitely. The thing to keep in mind is that newer oils are passing more strict tests, so oftentimes an oil from a few years ago won't be quite as good.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
I have the rare punch through metal spouts that you need for those metal cans. There in mint condition! I will let them go for $100.
Its sad but true! Yes I still have the spouts and remember the metal cans!!! Maybe in 50 years they will be worth 50 cents!!!!!!
Dump that oil in that thing and stop loosing sleep over it!!
BC
Its sad but true! Yes I still have the spouts and remember the metal cans!!! Maybe in 50 years they will be worth 50 cents!!!!!! Dump that oil in that thing and stop loosing sleep over it!!
BC
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From: Miami FL
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I have a round quart can of Mobil Delvac 1100 decorating my office. Opening bid from collectors is $250 - - -
- - -
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Thousand Oaks California
Originally Posted by 888usa
Hi Guys I have some Mobil 1 oil I have had fro a few years Brand new unopened is it ok to use on my next oil change does it have a shelf life?
In know if you don't use your car you should still cahnge the engine oil once a year
In know if you don't use your car you should still cahnge the engine oil once a year
The most recent API spec for gasoline engines, as I recall was "SJ". This is not critical as long as the oil meets GM Standard GM4718M.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
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From: Guelph, Ontario
Originally Posted by calemasters
If it is old, check the API spec. The API spec changes from time to time, so the API spec may be out dated.
The most recent API spec for gasoline engines, as I recall was "SJ". This is not critical as long as the oil meets GM Standard GM4718M.
The most recent API spec for gasoline engines, as I recall was "SJ". This is not critical as long as the oil meets GM Standard GM4718M.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Thousand Oaks California
Originally Posted by Patman
SJ is very outdated actually, we've already been through SL and now we're on SM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Dallas Tx
In the engine and in the bottle are two different things. In the engine the oil accumulates all kinds of condensation, that's why even if you don't drive much it should be changed at least once a year.
In the bottle, unopened, it's good for many many years. If it has the GM4718M spec, use it.
In the bottle, unopened, it's good for many many years. If it has the GM4718M spec, use it.
