How long can you store engine oil for (buying in bulk/advance)?

JustAnotherSaver

My sisters car is due a service. Was looking at buying in 2x 5ltr jugs rather than just 1x 5ltr. This would ensure she'll have some for next time round plus in the long run it'll be cheaper.

Question is, how long can you actually store engine oil for before it has a detrimental effect on it?

It'd be unopened in the original container and it'd be stored in the garden shed which is stone built and out of sunlight.

Next oil change would be in 12 months.

Scrapit

I think they have a use by date on now. But I'd argue it's been in the ground for millions of years.

clive0510

oils and lubricants do deteriate over time which is why you should all ways change engine oil even if your car hasnt done the specified mileage. the container the oil is contained will generate condensation which then mixes with the oil. the container itself may have a use by date on it. if it hasnt then certianly if your storing the oil in your shed or garage, then no more than 12 months.

daveyjp

It lasts decades if kept in a sealed container.

shaun_from_Africa

clive0510 said:

the container the oil is contained will generate condensation which then mixes with the oil.

Condensation (moisture) can't be "generated" from nowhere. The moisture needs to come from somewhere and provided that the container isn't damaged, the seal is intact and it hasn't been opened and moist air allowed to enter, then there is nowhere for the water to come from

clive0510 said:

 if it hasnt then certianly if your storing the oil in your shed or garage, then no more than 12 months.

12 months?
Even some oil companies state that unopened, lubricating oil should last around 5 years and they have a vested interest in selling the stuff.
https://www.mobil.com/lubricants/-/media/Files/global/us/industrial/tech-topics/tt-lubricating-oils-greases-shelf-life-recommendations.pdf

Car_54

I'm with Shaun.

JustAnotherSaver

Right sorted then, it should in theory be good for 12 months. I'll get 10 litres ordered in instead of 5.

George_Michael

clive0510 said:

oils and lubricants do deteriate over time which is why you should all ways change engine oil even if your car hasnt done the specified mileage.

There's a very big difference between oil that is kept in an unopened sealed container and oil that has been put in an engine and trying to compare the two situations is pointless.

As soon as you fill your engine, the oil that you have added will become contaminated by mixing with what is already in there (even if you drain it, there will be some residue) and it will start getting affected by moisture, something that won't be happening with the stored oil.

DoaM

One thing to bear in mind ... get 2x 5 litre containers, not 1x 10 litre container. (As soon as you open a 10 litre container you'll have exposed the contents to the atmosphere so degradation may start).

EdGasketTheSecond

It won't degrade at all in storage compared to how much it degrades once you start using it.

twhitehousescat

an opened (but reclosed platic container of oil will not degrade to a point of not being usable in the lifetime of the car 

people are going on as if it was hydroscopic brake fluid 
garages often buy in bulk , my motorcycle garage has a specific oil to be used on a specific bike (harley) in a 45gallon tub , they only have 2 harley ridres go in , i bet its 10 yrs old , and NO there is nothing wrong with it 

edit: there are at least 30 different answers on google , most from oil makers quoting the "expire by" day , however elf oil , kindly state , an oil has indefinate lifespan providing its stored correctly (heat.cold/shade) and no water or dirt has been allowed to enter container 

water as it rain , 

but here again how can rain get past a cap on the bottle