Car Engine Oil - decanting into smaller container Okay?

waterwatereverywhere

Hi,

This may sound odd... we use a fair amount of oil as do high mileage, so have bought a large 5 litre bottle. Would like to decant some of this into a small bottle to keep in the boot in case of emergencies - rather than carting around the larger bottle.

Is it okay to decant some of this into, say, a spare plastic mineral water bottle or similar? Not sure whether this might cause the oil to deteriorate in any way - the bottle is clear whereas the original oil container is darker (not transparent) and thicker plastic.

Thx in advance.

hewhoisnotintheknow

waterwatereverywhere wrote: »

Hi,

This may sound odd... we use a fair amount of oil as do high mileage, so have bought a large 5 litre bottle. Would like to decant some of this into a small bottle to keep in the boot in case of emergencies - rather than carting around the larger bottle.

Is it okay to decant some of this into, say, a spare plastic mineral water bottle or similar? Not sure whether this might cause the oil to deteriorate in any way - the bottle is clear whereas the original oil container is darker (not transparent) and thicker plastic.

Thx in advance.

yar i do this

use an old sports type bottle or large fruit shoot type sports top

that way you dont have to pour the oil in, but squirt it

you also see this sort of bottle with the flange sports top on posh shampoo.


i dont label mine as i dont have children or a stupid partner, but if you have kids you might want to label it just in case

westwood68

Been doing that for years. Nothing broken yet.

Maybe not to use bottles that had fizzy drinks in though. SWMBO used to work at britvic and I can confirm the extra ingredients (not the liquid) did used to leach into the plastic over time. Almost certainly not an issue but as water bottles are so cheap; might as well use them.

maninthestreet

Pop down your local garage and ask if they have any empty 1 litre plastic oil cans they can let you have. Much better than using a plastic (PET?) bottle designed for holding water.

waterwatereverywhere

Hi

Many thanks for the replies. Hadn't thought about trying a local garage for an empty bottle as just assumed they would buy in bulk, but I will certainly give this a go.

Thx again.

arcon5

I always keep a litre in the boot, but even high mileague it shouldn't require an 'emergency' tub of oil really. Probably worth getting it looked at?

SilverSaloon

buy a 1 litre bottle. keep it in the boot. Once thats used up, just refill it from a larger 5l bottle as you buy it.

Building_Surveyor

waterwatereverywhere wrote: »

Hi,

This may sound odd... we use a fair amount of oil as do high mileage, so have bought a large 5 litre bottle. Would like to decant some of this into a small bottle to keep in the boot in case of emergencies - rather than carting around the larger bottle.

Is it okay to decant some of this into, say, a spare plastic mineral water bottle or similar? Not sure whether this might cause the oil to deteriorate in any way - the bottle is clear whereas the original oil container is darker (not transparent) and thicker plastic.

Thx in advance.

Do you not check your oil before long car journeys anyway?

Norman_Castle

Look in the bins at petrol stations. You will look like a Hobo but will find an empty bottle.

Iceweasel

I wouldn't be putting oil in a mineral water bottle as they are usually made of a thin plastic.

I wouldn't use anything other than a 1litre oil bottle with the original label.

I carry a bottle of oil in the boot all the time as I am often away from home during the week.

Like the OP is wanting to do, I buy 5 litres and just top it up.