I found some quarts of unused motor oil in my garage. Does it have a shelf life? Is it OK to use as long as the SH, SG, Swhatever ratings were OK with whatever car you are using it in? Is it suitable to flush through the engine (whenever I bring my '65 back to life), or should I just send it to the recyclers?
Does unused oil go bad?
- Thread starter Randy'65
- Start date
65ShelbyClone
Founding Member
Oil doesn't spoil if its unused and sealed in a bottle. It starts to break down when it gets contaminants like combustion byproducts or gasoline in it.
You didn't say how old it is, either. If its in the old cardboard cans, then it is more obsolete than spoiled. The base stocks and additives have improved leaps and bounds in the last 25 years. I'd use it in a lawnmower or beater car, but not just toss fresh oil to the recyclers.
You didn't say how old it is, either. If its in the old cardboard cans, then it is more obsolete than spoiled. The base stocks and additives have improved leaps and bounds in the last 25 years. I'd use it in a lawnmower or beater car, but not just toss fresh oil to the recyclers.
Similar threads
