No car can do without engine oil. It must be changed in a timely manner so that the engine continues to work without various malfunctions. But, like any other product, engine oil has its own shelf life and storage characteristics.
How to properly store engine oil
The main factor affecting the shelf life of an engine oil is its storage conditions. First of all, the canister with it should not be left open in the sun - keep it exclusively closed or sealed. It is advisable to store the oil in a ventilated area. Reduces the shelf life of engine oil and constant exposure to sudden changes in temperature / humidity.
Engine oils can be stored for four to five years in terms of their technical characteristics, but they may become obsolete and not suitable for new engines.
Oils for a new car need to be renewed regularly, since a lubricant stored for about a year cannot meet the requirements set for modern engines. If the car is old and the stored engine oil is more than three years old, read the label carefully - it must meet industry standards. You can also take additional preventive measures by submitting the oil for analysis to a laboratory, where its basic properties will be checked and the level of their compliance with the original specification will be determined. However, this is a rather expensive way - it is cheaper to buy new engine oil and not fool yourself.
Shelf life of engine oils
Usually, the shelf life of a modern engine oil depends on its characteristics - the simpler the oil, the longer the shelf life. Indoors at a temperature of about twenty degrees Celsius, technological, transmission, synthetic, semi-synthetic and mineral (base) oils can be stored for no more than three years. Compression and hydraulic oils under these conditions can be stored for no more than two years.
Expired oil can be identified by sediment in the form of a solid material, as well as a change or cloudiness in color caused by mold or water entering the oil.
The guaranteed shelf life of engine oils is five years from the date of release of the lubricant. The production date can be viewed on the canister (side surface), where the day / month / year is indicated since the factory production of the oil. To extend the shelf life of products, it is advisable to keep the engine oil in a room with normal humidity and a temperature not exceeding sixty degrees. Engine oils must not be frozen and the storage temperature must not be lower than their pour point.
