Silly unimportant question about oil

I have been carrying a container of oil in the trunk of my car for a few
years now. I don't do my own oil changes, and I have the container on hand
in the event that the oil gets a bit low in between oil changes (which has
not happened since I replaced the PCV valve 5 years ago).

Anyway, there is no expiry date on this container and I wanted to know if
the oil would still be good to use at this point. I ask because it has been
in the trunk the whole time, including during some extremely cold winters.

 

it can gum up over time and who knows what's going on with the additive
package. but maybe it's ok. it's got to have a reasonable shelf life
for the store and a storage life for the consumer...

 

it can gum up over time and who knows what's going on with the additive
package. but maybe it's ok. it's got to have a reasonable shelf life
for the store and a storage life for the consumer...

 

It survived several million years underground before they put it in that bottle...

 

It survived several million years underground before they put it in that bottle...

 

I tend to buy oil by the case when it goes on sale. As such, two or three
cases can sit around for a while in my garage before they are used. I have
noticed on occasion that there's a small quantity of a light brown sediment
that forms in the bottom of the plastic oil bottle. I tried asking a few
questions about this phenomena but never received a satisfactory answer.
For what it's worth, I just shake up the bottles before I start doing the
oil change such that most of the air bubbles in the oil have dispelled
before it's poured into the engine. So to answer your question, yes, the
oil can change over time but not being an API chemist I can't tell you the
significance of it. I will try asking some more knowledgable folks that I
know the next time I see them.

Eric

 

I tend to buy oil by the case when it goes on sale. As such, two or three
cases can sit around for a while in my garage before they are used. I have
noticed on occasion that there's a small quantity of a light brown sediment
that forms in the bottom of the plastic oil bottle. I tried asking a few
questions about this phenomena but never received a satisfactory answer.
For what it's worth, I just shake up the bottles before I start doing the
oil change such that most of the air bubbles in the oil have dispelled
before it's poured into the engine. So to answer your question, yes, the
oil can change over time but not being an API chemist I can't tell you the
significance of it. I will try asking some more knowledgable folks that I
know the next time I see them.

Eric

 

It's fine. The oil undergoes far greater stress, breakdown and
contamination in your engine.

What grade is it? I mean the API specification (SJ, SL, etc.). Look on the
back of the label. Not that it matters much; I'm just curious.

 

It's fine. The oil undergoes far greater stress, breakdown and
contamination in your engine.

What grade is it? I mean the API specification (SJ, SL, etc.). Look on the
back of the label. Not that it matters much; I'm just curious.

 

It's Castrol GTX 5W-30, API spec. is SJ.

Thanks to all who responded.

 

It's Castrol GTX 5W-30, API spec. is SJ.

Thanks to all who responded.

 

Once ran into a large display of Castrol GTX mis priced - bought 6
cases of the stuff - took me several years to use it all - noticed the
same small stream of sediment in the bottom of each plastic bottle
after a couple of years.

Only other deal I got on oil was back in the days when oil was in metal
cans and 24 to the case - the check out clerk thought there were 12 per
case. Didn't work when I went back for 2 more cases.
..

 

Once ran into a large display of Castrol GTX mis priced - bought 6
cases of the stuff - took me several years to use it all - noticed the
same small stream of sediment in the bottom of each plastic bottle
after a couple of years.

Only other deal I got on oil was back in the days when oil was in metal
cans and 24 to the case - the check out clerk thought there were 12 per
case. Didn't work when I went back for 2 more cases.
..

 

Means it is a few years old. If you get a newer car, be sure that your
spare oil is up to spec for the newer car (i.e. if it requires API SL or
SM, the API SJ rated oil may not be suitable for it).

 

Means it is a few years old. If you get a newer car, be sure that your
spare oil is up to spec for the newer car (i.e. if it requires API SL or
SM, the API SJ rated oil may not be suitable for it).

 

I appreciate that advice, especially considering that I may be in the market
for a newer car possibly next year. My Accord has been great, but it does
not have A/C. And given how extremely hot it has been at times the last
couple of summers here, it's at the point where I feel I need A/C.

 

I appreciate that advice, especially considering that I may be in the market
for a newer car possibly next year. My Accord has been great, but it does
not have A/C. And given how extremely hot it has been at times the last
couple of summers here, it's at the point where I feel I need A/C.

 

If sealed, it *should* be OK. Pour it out into another container, and
look at it. IF it looks
clean and like normal oil should, use it. You'll be OK.

 

If sealed, it *should* be OK. Pour it out into another container, and
look at it. IF it looks
clean and like normal oil should, use it. You'll be OK.

 

Jeez, you worry about a $2 quart of oil ?
Throw it out and buy a fresh quart.